Eight Members of Fire Service Receive Thomas Brick Scholarships

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta, Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano, Thomas and Margaret Brick (fifth and sixth from the left) and Salvatore Bommarito (fifth from the right) join the eight 2009 Thomas Brick Scholarship winners.

A ceremony at FDNY Headquarters on July 9 memorialized Firefighter Thomas Brick in two ways - with the presentation of eight college scholarships to FDNY members and the dedication of training equipment in his honor.

Firefighter Brick from Ladder 36 made the Supreme Sacrifice on Dec. 16, 2003, while operating at a four-alarm fire in upper Manhattan.

“I can’t think of a better way to remember Tom Brick than through education and training,” Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said as he stood with Firefighter Brick’s parents, Thomas and Margaret.

This is the sixth year financier Salvatore Bommarito and his family have funded scholarships honoring Firefighter Brick. They donated $20,000 for this year’s scholarships, and over the past six years, they have contributed $114,500 to the program.

This year’s recipients included Captains Paul Conrad of Division 6, Michael Hubert from Division 11 and John Mack of Engine 68; Lt. Anthony Pasquin of Battalion 12; SFM Vincent Palmieri from the Brooklyn Base; and Firefighters Robert Knabbe from Rescue 3, Robert Lagnese from Squad 270 and Christopher LeBarron of Ladder 46.

“I sincerely hope all our recipients will go on to accomplish great things in the Department,” Mr. Bommarito said. “It would be a worthwhile reward for our family.”

Capt. Mack, who started his FDNY career at Engine 95/Ladder 36 and grew up in the same neighborhood as Firefighter Brick, said the scholarship will help fund his study of fire science at John Jay College.

“This is greatly, greatly appreciated,” he said, noting he is 18 credits shy of graduating.

Firefighter Lagnese, who is a year away from graduating from Empire State College with a degree in fire administration added: “It’s nice that people recognize the sacrifice [Firefighter Brick] made and are generous enough to help members of the FDNY in his name.”

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta graciously thanks donors for their contributions in honor of Firefighter Thomas Brick.

The ceremony also served as a way for the FDNY and members of Engine 95/Ladder 36 to thank donors - including Jenifer DeLuca, Michele De Maria and Denise Sculco - who contributed nearly $6,500 for the purchase of specialized confined space training equipment at the Fire Academy.

A plaque, which will be hung at the Rescue School, was dedicated at the event.

“I can think of no greater gift to the FDNY than training equipment, which will save firefighter lives for years to come,” said Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano.