Hello and welcome to summer.
From the heat and lack of rain so far my part of the state has been experiencing I believe summer is trying to make another statement and has settled in for a few months. Remember to use extra caution when working in these hot and dry conditions as they take an extra toll on our bodies and our equipment.
The 67th Annual Convention and the Annual Meeting took place the first weekend in June and although not heavily attended this year, those present all appeared to have a good event experience. The Board of Directors hosted the event at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield, which provided us with a great venue to host one of the largest vendor expos we have had in many years with nearly 40 vendors represented. My thanks to Lee’s Summit Fire Chief Mike Snider for delivering an excellent keynote address at the Saturday evening banquet. He did a great job of tying our theme of Bringing the Family Together and his career and life experience all together relating to each of our careers and agencies. My thanks also go out to everyone that participated in the contest or who helped with the weekend activities in any fashion.
Information for the Convention/Annual Meeting 2024 will be released when available, but in the meantime consider putting some time aside and joining us at that event.
Summer fire school hosted by the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) has come and gone. From the reports I have received those that attended were treated to some excellent training. The classes were challenging and left those in attendance better prepared to serve their communities. If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend I encourage you to keep next year’s session penciled in the corner of your calendar until the dates are set and then get signed up for classes. The benefit-to-cost ratio certainly makes the training a good fiscal value and the training will help you enhance your skills. Good job once again MU FRTI.
As your president, I had the opportunity in June to speak at the Jefferson City Elk’s Lodge #513 Flag Day celebration from the fire service perspective concerning our nation’s flag.
Personnel from the Jefferson City Fire Department were on hand and retired an existing flag from the flag pole and replaced it with a fresh one as part of the ceremony. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elk’s have a long history of honoring the flag of the United States of America and the ceremony and information provided about the flag was very educational. There were several veterans in attendance, which made the ceremony even more moving, understanding what they had done to help protect the life and freedoms we enjoy.
The Missouri State Fair Fire Department personnel have been busy getting ready for the 2023 Missouri State Fair, which will be held in Sedalia, August 10-20. If you will be working there, do so with my thanks as you represent the FFAM and make our Association shine in the eyes of the many fair visitors and dignitaries that will be there. The relationships forged and the education provided serve to make all who visit better and certainly keep us in the eyes of the fair personnel and the State government leaders who strive to assist the fire service as we continue to operate in our home communities and during the span of the Fair.
If you are not working, but you find yourself at the Fair please make sure you stop in and visit the fire station, take in one of the demonstrations or tour the station. You may just find you might like to apply to work at the next fair. Keep up the great work everyone involved.
The foundation that oversees the Memorial and Museum/Educational Center in Kingdom City is hard at work preparing for the Memorial Services to be held October 7-8. This group of dedicated people plans almost all year to make sure a suitable ceremony is provided to honor those that we have lost in the Missouri fire service and support the surviving families. If you have never attended the services I recommend you put this on your calendar and make an effort to be there. While there you will also be able to see the ongoing museum/educational center project located adjacent to the actual memorial.
The construction is still underway, but progress is being made with hopes to finish the building in the near future. The only way for this project to be completed is for continued financial contributions to be made. This can be a simple fundraiser in your community or finding a corporate donor that can add to the funds needed. With everyone’s help gathering the needed financial support, this project can continue to move toward completion.
Continue to be active in your local communities. Other groups/clubs/organizations in your area no doubt could use your support just as we often ask them to support us. Reach out and find opportunities to be visible in your communities. Always remember you represent not only your local fire agency but in essence the entire Missouri Fire Service through your actions and service. Do so with dignity, pride and enthusiasm.
If any of the Board of Directors can be of assistance please reach out. We are here to work for you, the members. As always, be safe!
FFAM
