Supporting Firefighters
The South Carolina Firefighters’ Foundation sponsors five scholarships, the Chief Larry Williams Scholarship, the Sam Carbis Scholarship, the Chief Carter Jones Leadership Scholarship, the Chief Jim Stone Scholarship and the Chief Louis Behrens Scholarship for members of the Association who are in good standing with their agency and the Association.
Application Checklist
The annual scholarships are meant to help ease the financial burden of South Carolina firefighters who are either joining the fire service or improving their skillset. Scholarships require:
- Letter of recommendation from your Fire Chief
- Letter of recommendation from someone of your choosing
- Three references
- Statistical form
The application period for scholarships is February 1 through April 30 annually.
Chief Larry Williams Scholarship
Applications open Spring 2024 | Scholarship Amount: $1,000
The Chief Larry Williams Scholarship honors the dedication and love that Chief Williams dedicated to the citizens of York County, Bethesda Fire Department, and South Carolina’s fire service for over three decades. All submissions will be evaluated by the Foundation Trustees and the finalist(s) will be reviewed by a member of the Williams family.
Sam Carbis Scholarship
Applications open Spring 2024 | Scholarship Amount: $1,000
The Sam Carbis Scholarship is presented to an Association member who is seeking assistance for volunteer firefighter recruit training. Sam Carbis invented the aluminum fire ladder and later started the Sam Carbis Solutions Group, LLC, and the company annually funds the scholarship to support Sam’s mission. All completed applications will be reviewed by the Foundation Board to determine whom the scholarship will be awarded. The Foundation Board and Sam Solutions Group, LLC can provide one or more scholarships as agreed by both organizations.
Chief Carter Jones Leadership Scholarship
Applications open Spring 2024 | Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Carter Jones served the people of Clarendon County as fire chief for 22 years. Chief Jones, involved in the fire service for over five decades, was the 33rd president of the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association. Chief Jones has worked for many years to promote and lead the Association to the betterment of its members. Carter loves history and works tirelessly to document the history of the South Carolina fire service on a statewide and local level. Carter is the definition of a leader and is dedicated to his community and his church. Carter personifies all which the Foundation represents. The Foundation has established an annual scholarship to honor the dedication and love that Chief Jones gives to the citizens of the state of South Carolina and South Carolina’s fire service.
Chief Louis Behrens Scholarship
Applications open Spring 2024 | Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Co-founder of the South Carolina State Firefighters’ Association, Chief Louis Behrens was fire chief in the City of Charleston for 25 years and was a faithful member of his department for a total of 58 years. Chief Behrens was the creative visionary and served as the Association’s first and longest serving President. Chief Behrens worked to promote and led the South Carolina Firefighters’ Association for 27 years and was instrumental in the passing of the Fireman’s Fund Bill, known today as the One Percent Fund. The Foundation has established an annual scholarship to honor the dedication and love that Chief Louis Behrens gave to the citizens of the state of South Carolina and South Carolina’s fire service.
Chief Jim Stone Scholarship
Applications open Spring 2024 | Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Chief James Casper Stone Jr., a 50-year veteran, joined the Darlington Fire Department in 1962. In 1984, he was promoted as the City of Darlington's first full-time Fire Chief fulfilling and living his dream every day until his retirement in 2012. Chief Stone led his department with dedication, determination, drive, and a kind spirit that reached deep into his community. He was instrumental in preserving the town’s first horse-drawn fire engine for perpetual display the community continues to enjoy. In addition to his tenure with the fire service, Stone was an active, lifetime member of his church, and served on numerous community boards including Darlington County Council. The Stone family has established an annual scholarship in remembrance of Chief Jim Stone's dedication and passion for the citizens of the City of Darlington, Darlington County, and South Carolina’s Fire Service.
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