I never wish to start an article this way, as it has been a time since I wrote one. However, as I am writing this today, the week has not been a good one for public safety. Two police officers and one EMT have committed suicide. And that’s just the ones we know of. Please keep watch over your fellow brothers and sisters, and yourself. Please reach out if you believe you or someone you know needs help. Remember, it’s not trauma or stress that causes suicide, it’s untreated trauma or stress that causes suicide. Please keep these and all our public safety individuals in your prayers. Thank you.
Again, it has been a while since I have sent anything from District 2. It seems like every time I think to do it, the deadline has passed. There has been a little of everything in District 2. Structure fires, wildland fires, car wrecks, semi rollovers. Everyone has been busy. I would like to share a few things.
The museum project. The committee has been working but we are waiting on cost estimates right now. This is long overdue. With everyone’s help, once we get the cost estimates in, hopefully, we can move forward. I know that many individuals are hoping that this project will become a reality. One way is to purchase a brick. Honor a fellow firefighter by sponsoring a brick. That can be done on the website. Or if you have an extra $10, $25, $50, or whatever you can provide, it is all going to preserve our fire history in Missouri for generations to come. Make your check out to Missouri Fire Museum and mail it to Missouri Fire Preservation Foundation, PO Box 105, Shelbina MO 63468. Or give it to any board member.
The Supporting Heros Gala has been set for July 15, 2023, at the Owensboro Convention Center, overlooking the Ohio river in Owensboro Kentucky. We have several Missouri firefighters, law enforcement, and EMS providers that gave the ultimate sacrifice. They will be honored that night. I believe Missouri has eighty at the time I am writing this. Also, public safety individuals from Kentucky and Indiana will be honored as well. If you have never attended this event, you will want to mark your calendar for that weekend. This formal event is attended by 500-700 individuals. Families of the honorees, public safety individuals, and more will be there to honor those that have given all. There will be more on their website as time gets closer. Tickets will be available as well as local hotels, one on each side of the venue. So get out that class A or dust off that suit, and make plans to come and be a part of honoring our public safety brothers and sisters. If you attend once, you will want to make it an annual trip. A side note, on their website you can see how you can be a part of supporting our fallen heroes for only $10 a month. Check it out atwww.supportingheroes.org.
The fire funeral team and the EMS funeral team had their 10th annual conference on October 14-16 at Camden on the Lake. They had some great training, fellowship, really good food, and a very high-energy speaker by nationally known speaker Dr. Barry Young.
A special time at the annual banquet this year was honoring our fallen brothers and sisters. Before the meal, a special tribute to two individuals and their families. For one of the fire individuals, it was the 51st anniversary of their death. The other was EMS related and it was their 10th. After the meal, several individuals and organizations were recognized. The Fire Chief of the Madison West Monroe Fire Protection District Mr. Larry Jones, and a member of the fire funeral team, received recognition for all he has done in honoring our fallen fire brothers and sisters.
The Public Safety Officer Benefits (PSOB) were a big topic. Lots of changes and it was great that Brian Z. provided us with updates, then left for the PSOB update on the east coast. The National Honor Guard academy was on hand from Seminal, Florida to provide training in flag folding, a casket vigil, and more. Grant Oetting provided a program on the logistics of a funeral and visitation. More of this to come at our 2023 conference.
The 2023 fire funeral team and the EMS funeral team annual conference is set for October 13-15 2023 at the Inn at Grand Glaize in Lake Ozark Missouri. First Call to Last Call, the Behind the Scenes of a Visitation and Funeral will be the program. This program will be taught by the memorial response teams from Indiana and Kentucky. Registration will be open on April 1, 2023. We are pleased to announce that the 2024 annual conference is already set. October 18-20, 2024 at the Camden on the Lake. Dr. Barry Young will return to speak and be doing a program on taking care of our public safety families. Everyone is always welcome.
Don’t forget that you can get your firefighter memorial merchandise at the online store at www.mofirefightermemorial.myshopify.com. Cups, Tee’s, decals, and much more. They will make some great Christmas gifts for your firefighter friends and more. And don’t forget yourself. Why not treat yourself to a new cup or sweatshirt, while supporting the museum project?
Winter Fire School will be coming up in February. Make sure you stop by the Memorial booth. We might have something going on there.
So that’s about it for this issue. Again please keep all our public safety individuals and their families in your prayers. Till next time be safe.
FFAM
