The Beiseker Fire Department is paying tribute to a fallen firefighter.
The organization established the Morgan Kitchen Memorial Award, an annual scholarship of $1,000 to support the next generation of firefighters.
The funds will be awarded annually to one person enrolled in Lakeland College's Firefighter Training or Emergency Services Technology program.
Kitchen died fighting the Jasper wildfires in 2024. He was a volunteer firefighter with the Beiseker department from January 2021 until June 2022.
Fire Chief Nikki King remembers Kitchen well.
"At that time, we had just recently reopened the department, and Kitchen was one of our founding members," she said.
King added that while she doesn't always remember every new member's name, Kitchen stood out to her.
"We've had probably 300 to 400 members come through the department. Morgan stuck out. He was memorable, he was hardworking, he was eager. He was always willing to step up and take shifts and do what was required of him."
According to King, when the department learned of Kitchen's death, it impacted everyone. That's when the group decided to take action.
"It was deputy chief Amanda Davies who reached out the family and talked to them about putting together a scholarship and then reached out to Lakeland College in order to facilitate it," King said.
The scholarship provides an opportunity for people to pursue a formal education while also saving some money.
"I just think this scholarship is something that will keep his legacy alive," King added.
