The Elon Fire Department honored four university students this winter at an annual awards program to recognize their dedication to the agency and for serving the public.
Firefighter of the Year:
James Black, 21, a junior economics major
College Student of the Year (co-awards):
Caleb Beyer, 20, a junior business administration major
Ross Simpson, 23, a first-year student in the Elon School of Law (and ’07 alum)
EMT of the Year:
Milton Turner Schaeffer III, 22, a senior business student
Black got involved with the department when he was a sophomore. Trained as a firefighter, he also runs medical calls, which he sees as service to the community. The award came as a surprise.
“I love the department and experiences I’ve had have made an impact on my life,” said Black, a volunteer for more than two years who today lives at the station on Powerline Road. “I’m deeply thankful that the chief and his officers have allowed me to pursue such an amazing opportunity.”
Beyer said he was touched that his commanders noticed the time and effort he put into the department while balancing the demands of college courses.
“I was honored to accept the award,” Beyer said. “It definitely was very gratifying, because as a volunteer, as someone not in it full time, I haven’t been able to receive specialized training like going to an academy.”
Beyer said he is considering a career in the Coast Guard after Elon.
Simpson, who studied political science as an undergraduate, said he volunteers on weekends and studies when not answering calls.
“Law work doesn’t seem as boring when you have something that could possibly interrupt it,” he said. “I definitely want to spend at least part of my career working in legal services for fire departments.”
Schaeffer declined to offer thoughts on the award, only to say he is glad that the university is doing a story on the men and women of the Elon Fire Department.