Mark E. Brady, Public Information Officer, 443-775-0157
The Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation (YLD) is pleased to announce its 2025 Scholarship and Special Project recipients. After a record number of applications, the selection committee awarded eight scholarships and two Special Project Awards, totaling $52,000. Recipients represent six states and a wide range of emergency services disciplines, including firefighting, the military, hazardous materials, community outreach and public information.
“We are pleased and proud to announce this year’s YLD scholarship and award recipients. Every applicant was thoroughly vetted and evaluated by fire and EMS leaders from across the country, and each is truly deserving of this recognition. Congratulations to all who were selected,” said Michael Hildebrand, president of the YLD Foundation.
The Milwaukee Fire Department has three scholarship recipients, demonstrating the leadership of Fire Chief Aaron D. Lipski and leading by example by Fire Capt. Joe Flick, now a two-time YLD Scholarship recipient.
Both Chief Alan Brunacini Special Project Awards focus on mental health among public safety personnel, an increasingly important need across all emergency response fields.
Three recipients are women, reflecting both the growing number of women in emergency services and their continued advancement into leadership roles.
Three recipients serve as public information officers, both full- and part-time, demonstrating the increasing recognition of the PIO profession as a leadership position within public safety.
The Chief John M. Eversole Endowment for Hazardous Materials Responders scholarship was awarded to a member of the Chicago Fire Department assigned to the Hazardous Materials Team. Chief Eversole was a longtime member of the Chicago Fire Department and the founder of the department’s hazardous materials team.
YLD will highlight each of the 2025 recipients individually in early 2026.
2025 Yvorra Leadership Development Foundation Scholarship and Special Project Recipients
Chief Alan Brunacini Special Projects Award – $10,000
James Small
Rural EMS Outreach Program Manager
University of Wisconsin School of Public Health / Wisconsin Office of Rural Health
Madison, Wisconsin
Chief Alan Brunacini Special Projects Award – $10,000
Victorian Simmons
Public Information Officer
Town of Apex, North Carolina
(“Bridging the Silence”)
Chief James G. Yvorra Award for Fire and Emergency Services Responders – $4,000
• Capt. Joe Flick, Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (2nd YLD Scholarship)
• Lt. Jessica Ziems, Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Lt. Alex Babot, Command Center Chief, U.S. Coast Guard, Wilmington, North Carolina
• Firefighter Fernando Lua, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, San Bernardino, California
• Firefighter Pablo Ayala, Fire Department of New York, New York, New York
• Firefighter/Public Information Officer Desmond Williams, Hampton County Emergency Services, Hampton, South Carolina
Chief John M. Eversole HazMat Scholarship – $4,000
Jeffrey Hennessy
Coordinator, Hazardous Materials/WMD Training
Chicago Fire Department
Chicago, Illinois
Donald E. Sellers for Emergency Medical Services Scholarship – $4,000
Lt. Kendria Donaldson
Milwaukee Fire Department, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
YLD was established to continue the work of James G. Yvorra, who dedicated his life to improving fire and emergency medical services. Since its founding in 1988, the Foundation has awarded nearly $325,000 in scholarships and awards. YLD seeks emerging leaders in fire, EMS, hazardous materials, emergency management and homeland security, including members of the military serving in similar roles. Scholarship and award applications open Aug. 1 and close Oct. 30 each year. Recipients are announced by year’s end.
For additional information, please visit YLD.org.