New Haven, CT, firefighter Samod "Nuke" Rankins.
GoFundMe
NEW HAVEN, CT—Critically injured firefighter Lt. Samod "Nuke" Rankins is thinking of others even as he heals — revealing that he's donating $50,000 toward scholarships to help aspiring firefighters get started.
Rankins, who is using money the community donated to him after his injuries, is naming the scholarships after his colleague and close friend Ricardo Torres Jr., who died in the same Valley Street fire May 12 that left Rankins near death.
More specifically, Rankins said the scholarships will help New Haven residents obtain their EMT certification to "give residents a helping hand in pursuing their Firefighter career paths."
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Rankins said he is feeling better every day and poured his heart out to thank the community for all their prayers, support and love that contributed to his healing.
"Knowing I was surrounded by so much love, brought me a sense of peace and comfort during such a difficult time," he said.
"You have helped carry the burden of this journey and your prayers made all the difference in my healing," Rankins said in a message to the community. "I have a long road ahead of me, but I know I'm not alone.
"Out of such a dark time came so much light and love," he said. "You brightened my darkest days and continue to help me fight each and every day. You have made a huge difference in my world, and I pray a special blessing in return."
Rankins is a popular firefighter who has always gone the extra mile to help young folks get into the fire service and who stands up for the rights of those already in the career.
But he's also a revered community figure at only 29 because he has spent years helping the homeless, the hungry, children and the marginalized in society.
When close friend and retired firefighter Capt. Gary Tinney suggested setting up a GoFundMe page for Rankins because so many wanted to help him, Rankins gave an emphatic thumbs down.
But Tinney finally told Rankins, "If you don't want the funding, you can set up a scholarship," and use it in other ways to help people.
That's when Rankins gave a big thumbs-up on Facetime and now a month later he's put that plan into action.
The requirements are the applicants must reside in New Haven, be 18 or older, possess a high school diploma/GED and write a one-page essay as to why they want to become a firefighter. Applicants will then be contacted for an interview.
Applications will become available Aug. 1. Further details will follow.
In addition to the tragic fire that claimed Torres' life, the week before Rankins lost another friend and fellow firefighter, William Jamar, 27, of Hamden. McMillian left behind a daughter, 5, when he died.
Tinney has said Rankins' has "a phenomenal soul," "a heart of gold," and has touched lives of people of all colors and ages.
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"colleague" - Google News
June 24, 2021 at 05:03AM
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Injured CT Firefighter Names Scholarship for Fallen Colleague - Firehouse.com
"colleague" - Google News
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