Westfield Firefighter Earns Arson Investigation Scholarship

WESTFIELD, NJ - One Westfield firefighter was recognized with a scholarship at the New Jersey International Association of Arson Investigators convention last week.

Westfield Fire Department Tour 2 Firefighter Michael J. Sawicki was presented with the Gene Dannenfelser Memorial Scholarship at the International Association of Arson Investigators, New Jersey Chapter convention last week, the local firefighters’ union wrote on social media.

The memorial scholarship is presented to an active member of the New Jersey chapter with fire investigation duties. The applicant must have five years or less of experience in fire investigations and have successfully completed an approved basic fire investigation course.

The scholarship award provides for one full year of training tuition at no cost.

“We are proud and lucky to have FF Sawicki as a part of Local 30 and wish him success on his future training and educational endeavors,” the union wrote.

Sawicki began his career with the Westfield Fire Department back in 2000 as a volunteer, Patch previously reported. In 2002, he was appointed to career status as a firefighter and EMT.

During his tenure in the fire department, Sawicki has earned many certifications and licenses, as well as held the position of president at FMBA Local 30 from 2006 to 2015, according to testimony from Fire Chief Michael Duelks at an October 2022 promotion ceremony.
In 2015, Sawicki was appointed to the rank of lieutenant and became Battalion Chief of Tour 3 in 2020.