Scholarship Opportunity for Newark, NJ Residents

To memorialize and honor the lives and legacy of brave heroes, who ultimately gave their lives protecting and serving the city of Newark in the most heroic of manners, the Acabou & Brooks Newark Fire Fallen Heroes Foundation has opened an educational scholarship opportunity for Newark residents and children of Newark firefighters.

Newark firefighters Wayne Brooks Jr., and Augusto Acabou, responded to a ship fire in Port Newark on July 5, 2023. A 12-story cargo ship, The Grande Costa D’avorio, loaded with nearly 1,200 used and damaged vehicles burned for six-days before being fully extinguished. Tragically the fire claimed the lives of both Brooks and Acabou and injured at least six other firefighters.

The Acabou & Brooks Newark Fire Fallen Heroes Foundation was created as a 501(c)3 organization by a dedicated group of Newark firefighters and family members of fallen firefighters who serve as the foundation’s board of directors. The foundation exists to serve the Newark community through the scholarship program and to support fire victims and their families.

“We do this in remembrance of those who gave their all. May their legacy continue to be honored and remembered,” said firefighter Edil Irizarry, secretary of the foundation. “Captain Acabou and Captain Brooks achieved their lifelong dream of becoming members of the Newark Fire Department. They proudly served, protected, and honored the City of Newark, and this scholarship serves to help others achieve their dreams.”

The scholarship application is available to all Newark residents and Newark Fire service members children. All applicants must be in good academic standing and have been accepted to any college, community college, medical program, trade school, or university. Completed applications are due no later than Friday, May 16, 2025 at 6PM.

For more information, requirements, and to apply, visit https://bit.ly/AcabouandBrooksScholarship.

For more information about The Acabou & Brooks Newark Fire Fallen Heroes Foundation, or how to provide financial support for future initiatives, please contact firefighter Edil Irizarry at Irizarryed@ci.newark.nj.us.