ANNOUNCING THE 2012 LT. RICHARD A. NAPPI TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP

ANNOUNCING THE 2012 LT. RICHARD A. NAPPI TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP

The most enduring gift any person can give is knowledge - the tool you never lose and never wear out. Since 2010, True North has provided training scholarships for firefighters to attend the 2013 Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) so they continue to get the training they need to stay safe and protect the safety of others. This year True North had renamed its FDIC Training Scholarship in honor of Lt. Richard A. Nappi.

On April 16, 2012, the first day of FDIC 2012, Lt Richard A. Nappi led his colleagues from Engine 237 on a hose line through the smoke-choked second floor of a burning warehouse in Brooklyn. Lt. Nappi died later that day after suffering a heart attack.

"I was at FDIC when I heard about Lt. Nappi. I witnessed how the brotherhood helped his friends and colleagues cope with this loss. They shared a lot of laughs and tears that week. And it reinforced their commitment to firefighter training." said Steve Misiano, President of True North. "We renamed our FDIC training scholarship in his honor because Lt. Nappi's commitment to training and the fire service exemplifies the type of firefighter that receives the scholarship each year."

Lt. Richard A. Nappi, a member of Engine 237, was a 17-year veteran of the FDNY. He also served as a volunteer firefighter with Farmingville Fire Department and as deputy chief instructor with the Suffolk County Fire Academy in Yapahank. He was honored for pulling his colleagues out of harm's way while battling wildfires on eastern Long Island in 1995. Although he was off duty on September 11, 2001, he responded from home that morning to the World Trade Center which was several blocks from his firehouse.

"Rich Nappi was the type of firefighter and friend we should all aspire to be. His dedication to training and the advancement of the fire service was second to none. He didn't just talk about duty, pride, and brotherhood, he lived it and those of us lucky enough to be his friends and colleagues are better because Richie left a piece of himself with all of us." said Aaron Heller, Captain for the Hamilton Twp. NJ Fire District #9 and owner of On Scene Training Associates.

The Lt. Richard A. Nappi Training Scholarship will allow one firefighter who, like Lt. Nappi, demonstrates the best qualities of the fire service to attend the 2013 FDIC by paying for their classroom seminars, hands-on-training, and travel expenses. In addition, True North will make a donation to the Lt. Richard A. Nappi Children's Education Fund. Please join us in making a donation at https://www.fdnyfoundation.org/donate

The 2013 Lt. Richard A. Nappi Training Scholarship includes a flight to Indianapolis, a 5-night hotel stay and attendance to FDIC including up to 16 hours of H.O.T Evolutions and/or Workshops, classroom training and general sessions and exhibits. To apply or nominate a fellow firefighter for the 2013 Lt. Richard A. Nappi Training for a chance to attend FDIC April 22-27 2013, please visit www.truenorthgear.com.