The Paris Fire Department recently launched a new memorial fund for any resident of Lamar County to apply for a scholarship to further their post-secondary education in the fire service.
“This is a scholarship that we wanted to offer in memory of Slade,” said Paris firefighter Austin Sugg. “We hope that this opportunity will help inspire people in the community to enter into a career into the fire service.”
Baker passed away in October of 2019 and was a devoted public servant with the Paris Fire Department. Although he wasn’t a native to Lamar County, those that knew him said he had a servant’s heart and was always striving to better himself as a professional and person of God.
The Slade Baker Memorial Scholarship will award $2,400 towards tuition for the Texas Fire Academy as they look to enter into the fire service. The recipient will be chosen based on their interview with a review board, academic performance, as well as a 500 word submitted essay.
The topic of the article is “ Public Service,” with the applicant explaining what public service means to them and how they look to help improve their community by aiming to be a civil servant.
Applications are now open with the first recipient expected to be chosen over the coming months as they look to gain their State of Texas fire certification.
To apply for the scholarship, you can download from the department’s website by CLICKING HERE, or you can stop by Station 1 on N Main St. to pick up an application. The deadline for applications is April 15, 2020. `
“We hope that with the scholarship that the memory of Slade continues strongly in our community,” said Sugg.
