Jack McNamara Scholarship Fund

In 2022, Automatic Fire Alarm Association (AFAA) introduced the Fire Techs of the Future Scholarship Program, awarding a $1,000 scholarship to support students pursuing fire alarm technology at postsecondary institutions. The program was established with a straightforward goal: to give back to the industry and invest in the education of the next generation of fire alarm technicians.

Tragically, on June 9th, 2022, just two days after the inaugural scholarship was presented during the AFAA Annual Breakfast in Boston, MA, Jack McNamara passed away in a motorcycle accident. Jack, who had a distinguished career spanning over 45 years in fire protection, was a dedicated member of the AFAA Board of Directors, serving as the organization’s first president from 2014 to 2016.

In recognition of Jack’s significant contributions to both AFAA and the broader life safety industry, the Board of Directors unanimously voted to rename the scholarship in his honor. In 2023, the first Jack McNamara Memorial Scholarship was awarded, with the scholarship amount increased to $5,000. Jack’s daughter, Michelle, attended the event on behalf of the McNamara family, as AFAA proudly recognized Jack’s lasting impact on the industry.