Brownwood Professional Firefighter’s Association presented the B.J. Carnes Memorial Scholarship to Kaiden King on Tuesday at Station 1.  This scholarship is given annually to deserving students who are attending fire school or working toward a career in emergency services.

King of Zephyr received a $1,000 scholarship to help him with the cost of his training to become a fireman and work on his EMT training.

New trainees for firefighting currently have the option of attending classes on campus or online training.  After completion of classroom hours, they enter the firefighter boot camp, which is paramilitary style training according to Lt. Kyle Whitley of BFD.  They have to earn their state certification and then work on their EMS certification.

King is the son of Kenny and Shana King.  He stated that he was inspired to become a firefighter after talking with Brownwood firefighter Jodie Horton, who is also a relative of his.

The fire academy training gives the students a taste of what shift work will be like and teaches them leadership.  Becoming a firefighter in Texas takes a minimum commitment of one year, according to BFD officials.

Pictured above is King with Horton as the check was presented Tuesday morning.