Women’s Club of Coconut Creek to Offer 2 Scholarships for Aspiring Firefighters, Technicians in Honor of Late Battalion Chief

by David Volz August 15, 2024

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Women’s Club of Coconut Creek to Offer 2 Scholarships for Aspiring Firefighters, Technicians in Honor of Late Battalion Chief

The late Coconut Creek resident and Battalion Chief, Thomas McDermott. {courtesy}

Students interested in a career in firefighting/EMT or automotive repair can apply for a scholarship from the Women’s Club of Coconut Creek.

The club just began collecting funds toward two new scholarships for graduates for the upcoming 2024/2025 school year. According to Laura McDermott Matheric, the club’s president, applicants must reside in Coconut Creek and can be graduates of a public, charter, private, or home school.

These scholarships are being offered in honor of Laura’s father, Thomas McDermott, who served as a Broward County Fire Rescue Battalion Chief from 1981 to 2004 and died on July 11 in Coconut Creek. His career began in 1974 with the Pompano Highlands Volunteer Fire Department. He became a paid employee of Broward County Fire Rescue in 1978 and then worked for the Broward Sheriff’s Office when it was taken over until he retired in 2004.

“Education was very important to [him], and education is very important to the Women’s Club. Establishing a means for kids in our neighborhood to pursue a career in fire rescue or automotive repair is consistent with the goals of the club,” said Matheric.

Applications will be available in the next few months. For more information about these and other club scholarship opportunities, contact Margaret Lancaster at 954-999-3045.

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David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.