Due to Hurricane Helene, the Apopka Fire Department (AFD) and the 2650 Foundation postponed the scholarship award ceremony scheduled for Thursday, September 26.

As of press time, no rescheduled date and time has been determined, according to Jerold Maynard, AFD division chief of life safety.

The special ceremony, which would have taken place at Apopka Fire Station 1, was to give six Apopka firefighters scholarships to attend a certification course in Vehicle and Machinery Rescue (VMR).

These scholarships have been made possible through the continued efforts and support of the 2650 Foundation, an organization dedicated to honoring the life and legacy of fallen Apopka firefighter Austin Duran.

VMR certification is an advanced rescue training program that equips firefighters with the critical skills to respond to complex vehicle and machinery rescue scenarios.

The Apopka Chief and The Planter are weekly community newspapers, independently owned and family operated, that have served the greater Apopka area in Central Florida since 1923 and 1965 respectively. 

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