I’m stunned we are on the back side of summer. We surveyed the Missouri State Fair and all it offered. I appreciated Governor Parson stopping by and spending time with us at the state fair firehouse. He encouraged us to continue serving our state and taking care of each other. The highlight was when he signed the document allowing $2.5 million to renovate the outdated, state fair firehouse. Thank you Governor Parson for investing in our first responder’s welfare while volunteering during the state fair.
I want to express my appreciation to everyone who attended and served the Missouri State Fair Volunteer Fire Department (MSFVFD). The cooks who knocked it out of the park every day, and dispatchers who took every call, and communicated to the first responders. The EMS branch who applied bandages and other medical care issues day and night. The firefighters who responded day and night, providing professional care, and handing out stickers, cold water, and public educational materials each day. Big shout out to Sparky and Smokey the Bear who suited up and spent time entertaining our smaller audience. Big shout out to the departments who donated fire trucks, ambulances, brush trucks, UTVs, tankers, and whatever else I may have missed. Thank you!
We have finished the request for proposal (RFP) process that allows us to release funding for free firefighter training across our state. Our training partners will be conducting classes beginning in September.
Good news related to a class that I have had numerous conversations on with you across the state. The old Basic Firefighter class that we all grew up on has been refreshed by MU FRTI. Thank you. It will be offered as a funded class beginning in September. Log onto our webpage (dfs.dps.mo.gov) and find Introduction to the Fire Service. The Fire Education Commission agreed to fund this class above any other class. This is a 40-hour class that will move you closer to a Firefighter I certification if you desire. Please request training, your legislators added $500,000 extra dollars to our training budget, we want to make sure and spend every penny!
Finally, September 11th will be upon us shortly. Several 911 memorial stair climbs will be conducted across our state. Kansas City and Clayton Fire departments will hold their climbs on the historical day of September 11th. The Springfield Memorial Stair Climb will be held on September 30th. The Missouri 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb will be held on October 21st here in Jefferson City. I would encourage you to register and climb in one or all of these climbs to memorialize and NEVER FORGET our fellow first responders who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. You can log onto mo911stairclimb.org to register for the Jefferson City climb.
Thank you for everything you do day in and day out. You matter and your communities count on you to be the “best boots on the ground” and “leave something better than you found it.”
May God Bless and keep you!
FFAM
