Clayton Fire Celebrates Major Milestone with Three Scholarship Recipients
The North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association (NCSFA) has awarded educational scholarships to three members of the Clayton Fire Department, marking a significant achievement for the department and its ongoing commitment to professional development.
Fire Marshal Michael Tatum, Fire Captain Kyle Driver, and Fire Captain Joel Shanks were each named recipients in this year’s competitive cycle. Tatum and Driver earned $8,000 each while Shanks received $2,000. This marks the first time that multiple individuals from the same fire department have been awarded scholarships during the same application cycle.
“This is unheard of,” said Fire Chief David Ranes. “The NCSFA program is highly competitive, with limited funding and hundreds of applicants from across the state. To have three members selected from one department is a testament to the caliber and dedication of our team.”
In 2025, the NCSFA distributed a total of $240,000 in funding to support the education of North Carolina firefighters and graduating seniors from firefighter families. Of the 197 applications submitted statewide, only 45 scholarships were granted – 15 per region in the Western, Piedmont, and Eastern areas. Clayton falls in the Eastern region, which saw 73 applications.
The funding supports degree paths that align with the department’s advancement criteria. In Clayton, an associate degree is required for the ranks of Fire Captain and Battalion Chief while a bachelor’s degree is preferred for higher-level chief officer positions.
“These awards remove financial obstacles and open doors,” said Chief Ranes. “They not only help our staff pursue personal goals but also prepare them to lead and serve in greater capacities within the organization.”
Tatum is close to completing his bachelor’s degree in Fire and Emergency Services Administration at Fayetteville State University. “This has been on my to-do list for years,” he said. “Thanks to this scholarship and one additional award, my remaining tuition is fully covered. I’m grateful for the support.”
Driver is also working toward a bachelor’s degree while Shanks is focused on earning his associate degree. All three plan to use the funds to reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket education expenses.
Chief Ranes noted that supporting academic growth is central to the department’s succession planning. “I won’t be here forever,” he said. “It’s my job to help develop the next generation of leaders. Opportunities like this, combined with the Town’s tuition reimbursement benefit, allow our firefighters to gain a solid educational foundation without the burden of student debt. That’s a win for them and a win for our community.”
The NCSFA scholarship program began in 1972 with the creation of the Jim Bailey Memorial Scholarship Fund. The first award was issued in 1975. What started as a $1,000 annual stipend has since evolved into a statewide initiative supporting associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree students.
