FSSA Educational Foundation 2026-2027 Scholarship Recipients

Each year, the FSSA Educational Foundation awards scholarships to talented and worthy individuals within the fire suppression industry. This year, FSSA had a whooping 200% increase in applications, so our committee had a daunting task of selecting from so many qualified candidates. We are proud to announce the following recipients below.

Our scholarship fund is supported by industry businesses and individuals. Contributions, which are 100% tax-deductible, can be accepted at any time and in any amount. Single contributions of $25,000 or more will be honored by an annual scholarship named after the contributor.

Thank you to everyone who has helped make this program possible, and a special shout out to BFPE International who continues to be one of the foundations largest annual supporters.

congratulations:

Max carr
University of Maryland, College Park

Hi, I'm Max Carr and I am a rising Junior at the UMD. I major in fire protection engineering and I am pursuing a minor in business with the Smith School. I love fire protection and want to experience every avenue this amazing field has to offer. Mostly, I love the opportunity to design and create a tangible fire system. I find it to be extremely cool that my work has a direct, life saving nature to it. I am an ambassador for the fire protection program at UMD and am enthusiastic about spreading FPE to everyone.

Outside of fire protection, I am a board member for our ethical engineering living learning program, Flexus and Virtus. I enjoy all forms of exploration making me a huge fan of travel, hiking, skiing and all random adventures in general. Mostly, I love socializing and spending time with others. I am so thankful for this scholarship and support it will give me to help better our world of FPE!

Emily Ho
University of Maryland, College Park

Emily Ho is a junior fire protection engineering student at the University of Maryland, College Park. She is the secretary of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and is involved with prospective student outreach through the Clark Ambassador program. She is also a student in the Engineering Honors Program and a member of the Maryland Cheerleading Team, cheering for the football, basketball, and volleyball programs while preparing for the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) College Nationals.

Emily plans to begin a research apprenticeship with a fire protection engineering faculty member and continue this work through the combined B.S./M.S. program.

Jack Ploetz
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Jack Ploetz is a Mechanical Engineering student in Worcester Polytechnic Institute's combined BS/MS program, with minors in Fire Protection Engineering and Theatre. His interest in fire protection stems from a passion for engineering solutions that improve life safety and protect communities. Jack recently completed a Mechanical Engineering co-op with Johnson Controls. He is also a research assistant in WPI's Center for Advanced Research in Drying and Multi-Scale Heat Transfer Laboratory, where he contributes to experimental heat transfer and thermal systems research.

Beyond academics, Jack has served as Technical Director for VOX Musical Theatre, leading student crews and promoting safe engineering and production practices. He is an active member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Following graduation, Jack plans to pursue a career focused on the design, testing, and development of fire suppression technologies. He is honored to receive support from the FSSA Educational Foundation and looks forward to contributing to innovations that enhance fire safety and protect lives.

Anika Escobar
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Hi! My name is Anika Escobar, and I am a student at Worcester Polytechnic Institute pursuing degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Fire Protection Engineering. I currently work as a Fire Protection Engineering intern at Bowman Fire & Life Safety, where I have gained experience working on fire suppression and life safety projects.

Outside of academics, I serve as the Public Relations Chair for WPI’s Society of Fire Protection Engineers student chapter and stay involved on campus through leadership positions, athletics, and community organizations. I am passionate about the human side of fire protection engineering and hope to one day start my own fire protection engineering consulting firm focused on suppression systems and life safety design.

Alonzo Farrer
Eastern Kentucky University

Alonzo Farrer is a fire protection professional, business owner in North Carolina, and student at Eastern Kentucky University, where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology. As a business owner, Alonzo has developed a strong appreciation for the role fire protection plays in safeguarding lives, property, and business operations. His experience in the industry, combined with his academic studies, has strengthened his interest in the technical and engineering side of fire suppression. 

He is proud to represent the next generation of professionals working to strengthen the fire suppression industry through experience, education, and continued professional development. Alonzo’s long-term professional goals include advancing from NICET III to NICET Level IV and pursuing the path toward becoming a Fire Protection Engineer. He is passionate about continuing to grow as a leader in the industry and using his education to deliver a higher level of technical service, knowledge, and accountability.

Alicia Haynes
Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Alicia Haynes is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She is passionate about hands-on problem-solving and is interested in the practical, real-world impact of fire protection engineering.

At WPI, Alicia is involved in both academic and campus leadership opportunities. She conducts research at WPI’s Combustion and Fire Protection Engineering Lab, where she is gaining experience connected to her future career goals. She also serves as Vice President of Event Planning for Alpha Gamma Delta and Vice President of Programming for the Sexual Assault Prevention Club. In addition, she is a Crimson Key Tour Guide, where she enjoys sharing her experience with prospective students and families.

Alicia hopes to pursue a career in the fire protection industry that allows her to combine design, testing, investigation, and hands-on problem-solving. In the future, she is especially interested in exploring the forensic side of fire protection engineering.

Kaleb Hollis
Eastern Kentucky University

Hello, my name is Kaleb, I am a full time student at Eastern Kentucky University studying Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology.

I am a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, and an active member of my church.

I hope that in my future I am able to become a Professionally licensed Fire Protection Engineer designing systems to protect lives and property.

Triton Johnson
California Polytechnic State University

I am a fire protection engineering designer at Coffman Engineers and am completing my master's in Fire Protection Engineering at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo concurrently with my career.

I am new to the fire protection industry, but I am eager to learn and grow from the help of mentorship at Coffman and a great faculty at Cal Poly SLO.

Monica Kim
University of Maryland, College Park

I am a sophomore Fire Protection Engineering student at the University of Maryland. I am also minoring in Project Management. My passion into the industry began as a volunteer EMT at the Hillandale Volunteer Fire Department, where I gained a firsthand perspective on the vital role that advanced fire suppression systems play in protecting lives.

At UMD, I am happy to serve as a Teaching Fellow for ENFP101 and be Social Chair of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). My professional experience includes technical internships at Arup, where I applied computational modeling tools like FDS and AutoCAD to analyze complex fire behavior and life safety solutions. And next summer, I wish to grow more at Holmes in San Francisco!

I am particularly passionate about performance-based design and am eager to develop innovative engineering strategies that protect both building occupants and first responders. I have been growing an interest in sustainability work with mass timber buildings as well. I am deeply honored to receive the support of the FSSA as I work toward entering the fire protection industry!

Tyler Kleinsasser
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Tyler is an engineering student at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and possesses a deep-seated passion for the construction industry. This interest was cultivated during his youth through significant family influence and participation in a specialized children's safety program, providing a robust foundation for his academic pursuits.

Throughout his collegiate journey, Tyler has maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while actively contributing to diverse engineering projects and various humanitarian initiatives. These experiences have equipped him with a unique perspective on the intersection of technical excellence and community service.

Following graduation, Tyler intends to embark on a challenging and rewarding career path, with the long-term objective of establishing his own private consulting firm. He is dedicated to the idea of professional mentorship, seeking to share his technical expertise and support the development of the next generation of industry leaders. Outside of his studies, Tyler enjoys learning about technology, outdoor activities like hiking, and hanging out with friends. Thank you for your support and belief in my potential!

Lily Mooney
University of Maryland, College Park

Lily Mooney is a senior studying Fire Protection Engineering at the University of Maryland. She discovered the field while earning her associate degree through community college during high school and was drawn to its unique combination of engineering, problem solving, and life safety. Lily serves as the current President of the University of Maryland SFPE Student Chapter and volunteers with the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team, supporting individuals and families affected by disasters.

Through her academic, leadership, and service experiences, she has developed a strong passion for protecting people and communities through fire and life safety. Lily is grateful to the FSSA for its support and looks forward to a future career in the fire protection industry.

Pierce Pirtle
Lamar University

Pierce Martin Pirtle is a high school senior with a strong academic and athletic background, maintaining a 3.89 GPA while completing a rigorous curriculum that includes over 33 hours of dual credit classes. He has earned the opportunity to compete as a Division I football student-athlete at Lamar University, demonstrating discipline, resilience, and a commitment to excellence both in the classroom and on the field.

Raised in a service-oriented family, with a father who is a firefighter and a mother who is a school nurse, Pierce developed a deep respect for careers dedicated to protecting and helping others. This background has inspired his interest in pursuing a degree in engineering, with a focus on fields that contribute to safety, infrastructure, and innovation.

Pierce plans to pursue a career in the fire protection industry, with the long-term goal of gaining experience and eventually founding his own fire protection firm. He hopes to build a company rooted in integrity and service—one that will protect communities and create a lasting legacy for future generations.

view all past scholarship recipients