OPENING SESSION
President Larry Jennings opened the 67th Annual FFAM Convention by ringing the bell on Friday, June 2, 2023, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield, MO. The Springfield Fire Department Honor Guard posted the colors. 1st Vice President Charlie Peel led the Pledge of Allegiance. District 2 Director Greg Wright gave the invocation.
President Jennings recognized the convention committee and key supporters. The FFAM Officers, Directors and dignitaries were introduced.
Guest speaker Springfield Fire Department Assistant Chief Olan Morelan gave a welcoming address to the attendees.
1st Vice President Peel made final announcements.
Door prizes were awarded.
President Jennings closed the opening session at 8:30 p.m.
AWARDS BANQUET
President Jennings welcomed everyone to the awards banquet on June 3, 2023, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield, MO.
District 2 Director Greg Wright gave the invocation followed by the meal.
Keynote speaker Lee’s Summit Fire Department Chief Mike Snider presented a program.
Scholarship Committee
Scholarship Committee Chair Larry Eggen announced the scholarship winners and presented certificates to those in attendance. Ryan Cruse of Salisbury; Bailey James Carter of Montrose; Kaden Hartman of Columbia; James Jones of Windsor; Keara McDonnell of Meta.
Fire Prevention Committee
Fire Prevention Committee Chair Andrew Caldwell announced the 2023 poster contest award winners.
Special Needs Division
1st Place, Olivia Edwards, Washington FD; 2nd Place, Andrew Deimeke, Little Dixie FPD; 3rd Place, Kendyll Bonine, Galt FD.
1st and 2nd Grade Division
1st Place, Mason Brinker, Washington FD; 2nd Place, Airabella Mahnken, Little Dixie FPD; 3rd Place, Gemma Wallach, Washington FD.
3rd and 4th Grade Division
1st Place, Sydney Gipson, Little Dixie FPD; 2nd Place, Blaze Kriete, Washington FD; 3rd Place, Ava Rodenbaugh, Little Dixie FPD.
5th and 6th Grade Division
1st Place, Evelyn Jasper, Washington FD; 2nd Place, Emily Garbs, Washington FD; 3rd Place, Lydia Richardson, Washington FD.
Contest Committee Chair Gary Berendzen announced the 2023 convention contest winners.
Firefighter Division Challenge
2 Person Hose Coupling:
1st Little Dixie #1; 2nd Little Dixie #2; 3rd Southern Stone #2.
Replace a Section of Hose
1st Southern Stone #1; 2nd Little Dixie #2; 3rd Little Dixie #1.
Extending a Line
1st Southern Stone #1; 2nd Little Dixie #1; 3rd Southern Stone #2.
Water Barrel Fight
1st Little Dixie #1; 2nd Little Dixie #2; 3rd Southern Stone #1.
Bucket Brigade
1st Little Dixie #1; 2nd Southern Stone #1; 3rd Little Dixie #2.
Overall
Little Dixie #1.
Female Division Challenge
2 Person Hose Coupling
1st Southern Stone #1.
Replace a Section of Hose
1st Southern Stone #1.
Extending a Line
1st Southern Stone #1.
Water Barrel Fight
1st Southern Stone #1.
Bucket Brigade
1st Southern Stone #1.
Overall
Southern Stone #1.
Junior Division Challenge
2 Person Hose Coupling
1st Little Dixie #2; 2nd Southern Stone #1; 3rd Little Dixie #1.
Extending a Line
1st Southern Stone #1; 2nd Galt; 3rd Little Dixie #2.
Water Barrel Fight
1st Galt; 2nd Southern Stone #1; 3rd Little Dixie #1.
Overall
Southern Stone #1.
Award Committee
Award Committee member Charlie Peel announced the 2023 award winners:
Life Saving Award
Joe Auffert, Chris Wilbanks, Christel Cantrell, Terry King – Howell County Rural FD #1.
Meritorious Award
Joe Auffert, Tim Dailey, Christel Cantrell, Daniel Dennis, Joey Smith, Lucas Cyr, Jerry Wirtz – Howell County Rural FD #1.
Meritorious Award
Chris Sterner, Wayne Cormier, Corbin Thompson, Dylan Summers, Dave Masterson, Jeremiah Jones – West Plains FD.
Award for Valor
Ashton Dabbs, Warrenton FPD.
Fire Fighter of the Year
Anthony Griggs, Southern Stone FPD.
Chief Officer of the Year
Michael Moore, Southern Stone FP.
Department of the Year
Southern Stone FPD.
Phil Sayer Lifetime Achievement Award
Chief Larry Jones, Madison West Monroe FPD.
President Jennings recognized retiring directors for their years of service to the Board of Directors. District 2 Director Greg Wright was recognized for 11 years and District 3 Director Larry Jones was recognized for 18 years.
President Jennings gave closing remarks. The banquet was followed by the dance.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
President Jennings called the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri to order at 9:00 AM Sunday, June 4, 2023, at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield, MO.
Roll Call of Board of Directors and other officials:
Officers
President Larry Jennings, Johnson County FPD; First Vice President Rob Erdel, Little Dixie FPD; Second Vice President Grant Oetting, Higginsville FPD; Secretary-Treasurer Jaime Miller, Johnson County FPD #2; Sergeant-at-Arms Rex Reynolds, Southern FPD of Holt County.
Directors
District 1 Terry Wynne, Galt FPD; District 2 Greg Wright, Shelbina FD; District 3 Larry Jones, Madison West Monroe FPD; District 4 Joe Vaughn, Pleasant Hill FPD; District 5, Terry Plumb, Southern Stone FPD; District 6 Gary Berendzen, Cole County FPD; District 7 RB Brown, Union FPD; District 9 Kurt Wilbanks, West Plains FD; District 10 Greg Brown, Eureka FPD; District 11 Billy Smith, North Central Carroll Co FPD; District 12 Rob Francis, Fruitland FPD; District 14 Rick Dozier, Southern FPD of Holt County.
Assistant Directors
District 1 Janet Cain, Shoal Creek FPD; District 3 Josh Loyd, Martinsburg Area FPD; District 3 Rob Erdel, Little Dixie FPD; District 4 Jonathan Evans, Lincoln FD; District 5 Shelby Honea, Southern Stone FPD; District 5 Dylan Honea, Southern Stone FPD; District 6 Alan Braun, Cole County FPD; District 6 Shawn Ritchie, Holts Summit FPD; District 7 Andrew Caldwell, Boles FPD; District 10 Harriett Vaucher, Eureka FPD; District 11 Kris White, Mayview FPD; District 11 Josh Koepke, Kansas City FD.
Guests
Tim Bean, Missouri Division of Fire Safety; Gail Hagans, Harry Ward, University of Missouri Fire Rescue Training Institute; Randy Norden, Missouri 811; Chris Sterner, West Plains FD; Brian Zinanni, Supporting Heroes; James C Peffermann, Kurt Ploch, Boles FD; Jim L Peffermann, Washington FD; Larry Eggen, Johnson County FPD; David Miller, Johnson County FPD #2; Hunter Hanes, Brian Smiley, Tim Hoselton, Galt FPD; Chad Wolfe, Madison West Monroe FPD; Chris Thompson, Holts Summit FPD; Jim Brockett, Southern Stone FP; Rob Schrage, Jefferson R7 FPD; Keith Smith, Warrenton FPD.
Agenda
President Jennings asked for additions to the agenda. Gary Berendzen moved to accept the agenda as presented. RB Brown seconded the motion and all approved.
Minutes
President Jennings asked for corrections or additions to the April 2, 2023 board meeting minutes. Rick Dozier moved to accept the minutes as presented. Billy Smith seconded the motion and all approved. President Jennings asked for corrections or additions to the May 2022 convention meeting minutes. RB Brown moved to accept the minutes as presented. Grant Oetting seconded the motion and all approved.
Financial Report
President Jennings asked for a review of the March-April 2023 financial report. Gary Berendzen moved to accept the financial report as presented. RB Brown seconded the motion and all approved.
Report of Officers and Special Guest(s):
Harry Ward with the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) reported that the end of the fiscal year is the end of June. They are busy finishing up scheduled classes. They are working on updating classes and programs. A special thanks to the instructors for their work on that project. There is now a Fire Officer 3 program available, and they are working on a Fire Officer 4 program.
Currently, MU FRTI is self-funded. They receive no money from the University of Missouri. They are working with the University President and Chancellors to get additional funding through the university.
If you are interested in an MU FRTI class, go to the Division of Fire Safety website and request a class. Lots of funding is available. The classes need to be filled so don’t wait to sign up to attend a class or it runs the risk of getting canceled due to low enrollment.
State Fire Marshal Tim Bean with the Division of Fire Safety discussed that while going around the state, everyone is trying to figure out a solution to the low manning problem. Everyone is facing the same challenges. Discussion points included how we get people involved and how we need to unite as an organization.
Bean discussed that only seven bills were passed in the legislature this year, but the fire service did well.
If you wish to host a training class, the request must be made through the Division of Fire Safety. This year over $1 million was requested for classes.
$800k was given from state funding with an additional $500k added to the budget through lobbying for firefighter training for next year, beginning in July.
Last year a one-day female firefighter symposium was held in Jefferson City. 100+ attended and a committee was formed. Help support this group and watch the FFAM magazine for more information.
Bean gave a special thanks to the Funeral Assistance Team for everything they do.
Executive Director Randy Norden with Missouri 811 addressed the group and discussed what Missouri 811 does. Their 1st priority is damage prevention, and the 2nd priority is safety. There are lots of opportunities where 811 can partner with fire departments for training.
This year Missouri 811 was proud to provide a $5k sponsorship to the FFAM convention. Norden pledged that Missouri 811 will continue to sponsor the convention each year with no less than $5k.
Correspondence
No report was given.
Unfinished Business
Kurt Ploch asked for the status of the traveling Phil Sayer lifetime achievement award that was approved at the 2022 convention. Discussion followed. The Awards Committee will be handling this.
Sergeant-at-Arms Rex Reynolds conducted a roll call of the delegates.
New Business
President Jennings reminded the directors to review their assistant directors and committee chairs to review their committees and make changes if needed. Everyone should be participating.
RB Brown reported that there was vandalism and some items stolen from the dispatch center at the Missouri State Fair Fire Department. A police report and insurance claim have been filed and they are working on getting replacement costs. The Board advised President Jennings that he has the authority to approve any necessary costs to replace the equipment.
President Jennings advised that as of now, there is no host department for the 2024 convention. Discussion followed on changes that could be made or other suggestions to get more attendees and interest in the convention. It was suggested that a survey be sent to all member departments for feedback on what they would like to see. RB Brown moved to waive the bylaw requirement to determine the host and the format of the 2024 convention and to allow the Executive Committee and Convention Committee the authority to proceed as necessary. Terry Wynne seconded the motion and all approved.
Election
Sergeant-at-Arms Reynolds advised there are 44 delegates of which 17 are officers/directors.
Keith Smith advised that the following positions were slated for election with no opponents challenging them.
1st Vice President – Charlie Peel
Secretary/Treasurer – Jaime Miller
Sergeant-at-Arms – Rex Reynolds
District 1 Director – Terry Wynne
District 3 Director – Rob Erdel
District 7 Director – RB Brown
District 11 Director – Billy Smith
District 14 Director – Rick Dozier
Andrew Caldwell moved to approve all by acclimation. Gary Berendzen seconded the motion and all approved.
Committee Reports
Awards Committee
Joe Vaughn thanked those who applied. 11 nominations were received, and 7 awards were presented. The department grant application deadline is July 1.
Budget Committee
No report was given.
Bylaws Committee
No report was given.
Chaplain Committee
Secretary Miller reported on behalf of David Hedrick that FFC Regional Director Floyd Ferguson attended the SEMA Missouri Mortuary Operations Response Team training and exercise in May in Chillicothe, MO.
The Missouri Fire Chaplains Corp Annual Training Session and Meeting are scheduled for Sept. 11 & 12, 2023, at the Green County EOC, Springfield, MO. The two classes scheduled will be Pastoral Crisis Intervention and Chaplains’ Tool Box. If you have any questions, please contact MFCC Secretary/Treasurer Ed Hatcher at edhat@earthlink.net. The MFCC has a new website, please visit: https://www.missourifirechaplaincorps.org/
Contest Committee
Gary Berendzen thanked the teams who participated and the directors and assistant directors who helped. Contact him if you have any suggestions for next year.
Convention Committee
Charlie Peel reported that everything went well with no major issues. We did receive several sponsorships.
Education Committee
Gail Hagans-Reynolds reported that they contacted four departments to award summer fire school scholarships. Only one department responded. Discussion was held on new ways to distribute winter fire school and summer fire school scholarships. 31 people attended the board class on Friday.
Fire Prevention Committee
Andrew Caldwell thanked the Auxiliary for judging the posters.
Legislative Committee
Greg Brown reported that $500k more was allocated for firefighter training in next year’s budget. We need to spend those funds so we can show there is a need for the funding to continue.
SB 24 relating to firefighter behavioral health passed. This added to the firefighter critical illness pool to expand what the group can do and to include EMS and 911 dispatchers as first responders. 2300 people in the state are now members of the critical illness pool for cancer-related issues and some are receiving assistance. Mffcip.org has more information on prevention and detection as well as more information about the critical illness pool. Please share the information. We need to change the culture in the fire service and try to prevent cancer. They are working with a company that can identify cancer through a blood test. More information to come. August 3-5 the National Firefighter Cancer Alliance will have training opportunities available. More information to come.
There were several issues that failed relating to code enforcement and personal property taxes.
Membership Committee
Grant Oetting reported the following membership numbers: 343 departments; 6429 active; 15 associate; 12 sustaining; 434 retired; 126 juniors; 487 directors; 4 Ems departments; 160 Ems individuals; 1 educational institution; 5 educational individuals, 22 corporate.
Nomination Committee
No report was given.
NVFC Committee
Keith Smith reported that NVFC is coming to Kansas City in 2024. There will be another meeting in August to see how Missouri can help. They are still working on logistics.
The cancer registry is now in play. 3000 have signed up so far.
Another goal NVFC is working on is to get “firefighter” listed on death certificates for volunteer firefighters. This will help with tracking purposes.
William Dunham, the FEMA section chief, did meet with them to get feedback on the SAFER grants.
The SAM system continues to get worse. This is a federal system set up as a requirement to get any federal funding.
It is unclear if any changes will be made.
NFIRS will be changing in 2024. More to come.
A big component of NVFC is training. Smith advised he will be meeting with President Jennings to see if there are any benefits that could be beneficial to FFAM.
They are trying to boost individual membership in Missouri. So far, there are only 99.
Scholarship Committee
Larry Eggen reported that five high school scholarships were awarded, and two families attended the banquet.
State Fair Committee
RB Brown reported that the application period has closed, and letters will be mailed soon.
Website Committee
No report was given.
Newsletter
The deadline for the next newsletter will be June 19.
Historian report
Contact Theresa Cox if you have items to donate.
Fire Funeral Team report
Brian Zinanni reported that the team assisted in 14 responses so far this year. All the trailers now have new portable radios.
EMS Funeral Team report
Greg Wright reported the team has had 1 call out since the last meeting. The 2023 EMS convention will be held October 13-15, 2023, at Lake of the Ozarks. The national conference will be held in July. One member from Missouri will be recognized.
Foundation report
Keith Smith reported they will recognize 120-130 at the services in October.
The Foundation has signed a contract to complete the utilities and restrooms which should be completed in July. It will take $1.1 million to finish the project.
The Springfield Fire Department Honor Guard retired the colors.
President Jennings adjourned the meeting at 11:20 a.m.
FFAM
