Application opens January 1st of each year
NEW Deadline – June 1st of each year
Completed application should be emailed to mmmsb@comcast.net or mailed to Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters’ Association (MCVFA)
Robert J. Hindley Scholarship
PO Box 1015
East Wareham, MA 02538
- Robert J. Hindley Memorial Scholarship Application
- Scholarship Regulations
- History of the Robert J. Hindley Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship Regulations
ELIGIBILITY
A member who is in good standing with the MCVFA and who has paid dues for at least two years prior to application, or immediate family member [i.e., son, daughter, stepchildren, etc. or spouse]. Must have a high school diploma or equivalency, or be in the final year of high school. Currently pursuing or planning to pursue undergraduate or graduate studies, vocation training, a certification program, or job skills training at an accredited institution. Currently enrolled or planning to enroll as a full or part-time student. Minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or “C” average for applicants pursuing an academic degree.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Academic Standing – Statement of interest including personal, academic, and career goals as well as involvement in extracurricular activities, including community and volunteer activities. Two letters of recommendation – One letter should be from a teacher, employer, or a leader from the community familiar with you and your goals, and the other from a member of the Fire Service. If it is not possible to provide a letter from a member of the fire service, please attach an explanation.
APPLICANTS
An MCVFA member or immediate family member must be a high school graduate or have received a GED to receive the scholarship. Students beginning or continuing in a degree program, a certificate program or a trade school may apply.
APPLICATIONS
Completed applications are due by May 1st of each year. They should be sent to MCVFA, PO Box 1015, East Wareham, MA 02538. A postcard will be sent acknowledging receipt of your application. Applicants who do and do not receive awards will be notified. Those not receiving an award are encouraged to apply again the following year. Applications that do not meet the requirements or are not received by JUNE 1st (postmark will not be taken into consideration) will be disregarded. The recipients will be notified by mail on August 15th of each year.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
The President of MCVFA will annually appoint a committee to select applicants.
AWARDS
Scholarships will be awarded to the recipient upon verification of completion of the course or courses with a passing grade or completion of the first semester with a passing grade and showing enrollment of second semester.
AMOUNT OF SCHOLARSHIP
Five (5) $750.00 scholarships will be awarded. The amount is subject to change upon recommendation of the Scholarship Committee and a vote of the Executive Board.
NO APPLICANTS/FORFEITURES
In the event there are no applicants or the scholarship is forfeited, the established amount shall be returned to the scholarship account.
History of the Robert J. Hindley Memorial Scholarship
In 1963, Robert J. Hindley, at 19 years old, became a call firefighter at Station 2 in Woods Hole. That marked the beginning of active involvement with the Falmouth Fire Department in which he served unselfishly for 29 years.
Always eager to learn more about his firefighting job, he attended many classes and courses during his years while being a call firefighter. He became one of the first call emergency medical technicians in Falmouth. Then he made the decision to become a paramedic, which meant continuing his training for two more years while working a full-time job. His desire to serve his community was the force that kept him going during this rigorous period. Through his tireless efforts, his goal became a reality in 1988 when had attained his paramedic certification. Many of the residences and firefighters have been benefactors of the skills and achievements that he had accomplished all while serving his community.
Although Bob moved from Woods Hole to East Falmouth in 1972, his interest in the service to his fire company never wavered.
In 1990, Call Firefighter/Paramedic Robert Hindley received the honor of becoming a charter member of the Massachusetts Call/Volunteer Firefighters’ Association. It was through his encouragement that the association adopted the practice of beginning every meeting with the moment of silence for our brothers and sisters firefighters who had answered their last alarm.
Sadly, Bob died on January 2, 1992, still active in his department and the MCVFA.
It was in 1996 that the organization formed a scholarship committee and gave them the task to come up with the criteria and guidelines for the scholarship. It was at the 1997 April State Meeting that the vote went to the members on the final draft of the scholarship.
The application period commenced each year beginning January 1 to May 15 with awarding of the scholarship on July 1. At that time they appropriated $3,000 for 6 Scholarships. It was not until 2005 when it was raised to five $1000 scholarships.
It was on July 20, 1997, that the first round of 6 scholarships was awarded out of 23 applications. Also, the E-board voted to give the first scholarship to Robert Hindley’s daughter, Ryanne, from Falmouth who is going to attend the University of Massachusetts to study Pre-Med.