Medina County Fire Chiefs Association gives out scholarships in memory of local fallen firefighter

BRUNSWICK — The Medina County Fire Chiefs Association sought to remember the past while looking ahead at the future by giving out four scholarships in honor of Ron Novak, a local firefighter who died while on duty. Novak was a volunteer firefighter from Brunswick who died in March 1969 after fighting a brush fire. In June 2022, the Medina County Fire Chiefs Association unveiled a fallen firefighter's memorial in honor of Novak outside Brunswick's Fire Station No. 1. "(Novak) loved his community and cared about his neighbors so much that every time the bell rang, he put his life on the line," Brunswick Fire Chief Greg Glauner said. Medina County Fire Chiefs Association President Larry Walters said the leftover funding for the memorial went toward the four Ron Novak Memorial Safety Scholarships that were presented on Monday at Brunswick City Hall. The scholarship winners were selected based on the content of their essays, he said. Each winner received $1,000, and they plan to use the funding to help pay for their first responder training. Ian Shirey, who won one of the scholarships, said in his essay that the training will help him deliver high-quality care and make a positive impact on the community. Fellow winner Joseph Zywiec wrote in his essay that he found the teamwork and camaraderie that he was missing when he toured the Medina County Career Center's fire and EMT program. Elian Zayed was another winner and said in his essay that it is his duty to provide the best care to the community, and he is proud to do so. Scholarship winner Marissa Koneval took extra steps to learn more about Novak and the city of Brunswick, Walters said. In her essay, she wrote about how his story affected her and how she shares the same values with him. "Ron Novak spent his last moments heroically serving his community, and his values should live on …" Koneval wrote. "I want to continue his legacy and come back to work in my community. It has always been my calling to help others and to give back to society." Since the funding came as a result of the memorial, there will not be more Ron Novak Memorial Safety Scholarships given out later on, Walters said. Instead, the Medina County Fire Chiefs Association would like to do something similar in the future. "In your careers, you will undoubtedly save countless lives," Glauner said. "You will make a difference, and your life will be meaningful." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.