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CALIFORNIA AUTOMATIC
FIRE ALARM ASSOCIATION





        • THE BILL HOPPLE EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP

          Honoring William “Bill” Hopple: A Legacy of Education and Leadership

          With over 50 years in the Fire Alarm industry, William (Bill) Hopple has been a driving force in shaping fire technology education and advancing industry standards. A pillar of the California Automatic Fire Alarm Association (CAFAA), Bill’s dedication to knowledge-sharing has guided countless professionals, many of whom first learned under his instruction.

          For Bill, "knowledge is power", and he tirelessly mentored, taught, and problem-solved, always turning challenges into learning opportunities. His passion extended beyond the classroom—he influenced legislation, trained experts worldwide, and personally developed 18 fire alarm courses for CAFAA.

          In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, CAFAA proudly renames its scholarship "THE BILL HOPPLE EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP," ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from the pursuit of knowledge he championed.

          Bill Hopple’s Impact at a Glance:

          • Education & Leadership: Taught fire alarm systems across the U.S. and internationally, wrote foundational courses, and served as a CAFAA leader since 1982, including five years as President.
          • Certifications & Expertise: NICET Level IV, C-10 Contractor, Certified Fire Marshal Instructor, Fire Prevention Officer, and expert in Fire Alarm Systems design.
          • Legislative Influence: Instrumental in passing California Senate Bill 575 (2001), requiring fire alarm detection in all schools.
          • Awards & Recognition: Honored by AFAA, CAFAA, NEMA, and Fire Chiefs Associations, including the 1998 NEMA "Man of the Year" award.

          Bill’s legacy is etched in the foundation of fire protection education, and CAFAA is honored to recognize him as one of the industry's greatest educators and influencers.

        • 2025 CAFAA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS


        • Diego Resendez – $2500 Scholarship Winner

          A current CSU Fresno student whose hometown and almost his entire neighborhood was devastated by the recent Los Angeles fires.  His studies in engineering and experiences in life are inspiring him to determine better ways to prevent, warn, and combat fires. He is also a current part-time teaching assistant at CART (Center for Advanced Research and Technology).

           

          Juan Flores – $1000 Scholarship Winner

          A current Cal Poly SLO student who is going for his master's degree in Fire Protection Engineering.  He currently works at Deep Blue Integration Inc learning about fire alarm and detection systems and is passionate about fire forensics and the science behind it.

           

          Matthew Laforga – $1000 Scholarship Winner

          A graduating HS senior from Moreau Catholic High School, that is not only a dependent of a CAFAA member, but who is also interning at Intrepid Electronics to learn the business.  In the fall, Matthew will be attending San Jose State University, majoring in Engineering Technology/Manufacturing Systems from his fascination and interest in electrical engineering and programming code.




        • PRIOR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT(s)


        • 2024 CAFAA SCHOLARSHIP


        • SARAH MELZER - - $3,000 Scholarship Winner


        • The CAFAA Scholarship Committee has determined our 2024 recipient of the Bill Hopple Education Scholarship is Sarah Melzer! She is currently a student at Cal Poly working towards her master's degree in Fire Protection Engineering. 








        • 2023 CAFAA SCHOLARSHIP


        • SHIRA WEISS-ISHAI - $3,000 Scholarship Winner


        • Shira Weiss-Ishai will be attending the Joint Program between the Albert A. List College of Jewish Studies and Columbia University’s School of General Studies in the fall of 2023.  She will be studying Biology and Judaic Studies, with the desire to become a physician who is committed to providing compassionate care and addressing the broader societal factors that impact health.





      2022 CAFAA SCHOLARSHIP

      DREW MIGUEL -$3,000 Scholarship Winner

        • Drew Miguel is currently attending Fresno City College, studying Civil Engineering.  With his degree in Engineering as a firm foundation, he wants to be able to design better structures whether those are buildings, roads, or bridges for California and the Central Valley where he lives.




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