Overview
Each year the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad, Inc. (GVFD) sponsors and presents the Firefighter Trisha Bayles Memorial Trophy Recognizing Excellence by Women in the Fire/Rescue/EMS Service in memory of Life Member and Trustee Trisha Bayles. At the time of her death in 2016, Firefighter Bayles had volunteered for over 25 years and accomplished firsts for our company that included being the first female engine driver and female trustee.
The Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department & Rescue Squad, Inc is expanding the Firefighter Trisha Bayles Memorial Trophy Recognizing Excellence by Women in the Fire/Rescue/EMS Service to include a scholarship to sponsor a Prince George’s County operational volunteer to attend the Women In Fire International Conference covering registration, travel, and hotel. Starting in 2024, the scholarship and trophy will be presented in opposite years. The 2024 Women in Fire International Conference will be held in San Diego September 11-14th.
GVFD chose the Women in Fire (official name International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Service) organization because it has a long and impactful history of supporting women in the fire and EMS service because it is an organization of women and for women–but not for women alone. Hundreds of women firefighters and officers from urban fire departments and state or federal wildland agencies belong, as do EMT’s, paramedics, inspectors, dispatchers, and fire service educators. Career and volunteer firefighters and rescue personnel in 48 states and eleven countries are members. Members range from not-yet-hired candidates to senior officers with more than two decades of service. Members are diverse in background, and united in their commitment to the fire service.
At the International Conference held every two years, hundreds of fire service women and men gather to share experiences, challenges and insights in a relaxed and supportive educational setting that features hands-on training, tactical exercises, mental health and physical wellbeing, leadership, community service, and mentoring.
This scholarship and organizations like Women in Fire are important to attract, retain, and grow talented women within the fire service. Currently in the United States, there are approximately 6,200 career women and anywhere from 35,000-40,000 volunteer women in the US fire service; however, this still only makes up 12% of all firefighters in the US. In Prince George’s County the percentage is even lower, hovering at around 10%.
It is our responsibility to understand that representation matters, and when you can see someone doing their best that you relate to, then you believe that you can do your best as well. As an organization, it is our responsibility to be and do better for the next generation–to promote an environment where people are set up to succeed. This scholarship will help to empower, inspire and support future generations of female firefighters.
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Application Process
Read and follow the instructions carefully prior to submitting your application. Awardee will be notified on or before April 26, 2024.
If selected, you will be asked for documentation to support the data that you provide. Likewise, all correspondence and award agreements will be generated from the personal information submitted on the application.
Eligibility Requirements
- Member of a Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire Department/Rescue Squad in good standing with at least three years LOSAP qualified
- Minimum MFRI Firefighter 1 class
Application Requirements
- Application completed in its entirety
- Written recommendation from the applicant’s department – signed by the Chief or President.