Joshua B. Earley Memorial Scholarship

Casey Reed - recipient of the first Joshua B. Earley Scholarship

About Josh

About the Scholarship

Scholarship Description

Selection Criteria

Award Amount

Application Information

About Josh

Information provided by the Harrisburg Fire Department

On Monday, March 4th, 2002 Harrisburg Fire & Rescue just finished putting up the water rescue gear from a vehicle in the river and sat down to lunch when communications put out a report of a house fire at 10334 Harrisburg Road.  Upon the arrival of the Fire Department the house had heavy fire and smoke showing with people possibly trapped.  The interior crew went into the side door and got about five feet into the doorway and decided to back out because the floor was "spongy" feeling.  When Captain Brad Christopher reached to Firefighter Josh Earley to turn around and exit the building, they both fell into the basement.  Captain Brad Christopher was able to grab the threshold of the door to pull himself out and help Captain James Greene and Firefighter Johnny Kiser pull Firefighter Josh Earley out.  A second crew kept the flames off of Captain Brad Christopher, Captain James Greene, and Firefighter Johnny Kiser as they pulled him from the inferno.

Firefighter Josh Earley was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center with burns that covered over 80% of his body.  He was then evaluated in the emergency room and airlifted to the burn center in Chapel Hill.  Captain Brad Christopher was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center by ambulance with burns on his ears, shoulders and arms.  Other Firefighters were slightly burned during the rescue efforts, but were treated and released.  Captain Brad Christopher was released from the hospital the next day.  Firefighter Josh Earley, remained in critical condition until March 6th, 2002 when he succumbed to his injuries and passed away at the age of 23.

The Scholarship

Scholarship Description:

Kenneth and Margaret Earley are establishing this scholarship in memory of their son Joshua.  Joshua Earley was a firefighter for Station 27 of the Charlotte Fire Department and worked part time for the Harrisburg Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue, Inc.  Joshua lost his life in the line of duty.

The scholarship is awarded to entering freshman enrolling in the Fire Safety Engineering Technology program in the Department of Engineering Technology.  This scholarship is renewable up to three years provided the recipient maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0.

Selection Criteria:

• Entering freshman enrolling in the Fire Safety Engineering Technology program.

• Scholarship is renewable up to three years provided the student maintains a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

• Preference given to children of firefighters from Cabarrus County.

• Kenneth and Margaret Earley will have the opportunity to meet with the recipient

Award Amount:

• One scholarship will be awarded every four years.  The recipient will receive $3,000 annually for a total scholarship of $12,000 over the four-year period.       

• It is anticipated the recipient will attend the North Carolina State Fireman’s Association banquet in August.