Greetings and welcome to Spring! Hopefully, you have had a successful winter season and were able to accomplish as many indoor projects as you could so you won’t be restricted in the amount of time you can now spend outside (without multiple layers of clothes to stay warm).
If you haven’t seen the information yet the FFAM Convention 2024 is on! The event will be held May 17-19 at Lodge of the Four Seasons and will be hosted by Lake Ozark Fire Protection District. Group rates are available for lodging on site and registration and banquet reservations are currently available. This is a prime opportunity for you to join other members of FFAM for education and networking and get to have a direct voice in the business affairs of the Association as a voting delegate representing your agency. We hope to see you at the convention and the annual meeting.
While we are on the topic of Convention, this is also the time we get to honor some of our more deserving peers with various awards. The recipients of these awards are selected from your nominations during arduous deliberations by the Awards Committee and recognize them for various accomplishments.
During the convention, the recipients of educational scholarships are also honored providing us an opportunity to officially recognize those that represent the future of the fire service.
Please plan to attend the convention and join us at the banquet Saturday evening to help celebrate the accomplishments.
Firefighter’s Day at the Capitol scheduled for March 26 is a focused opportunity to meet directly with Missouri’s legislators to help educate them on the needs of Missouri’s fire service. Each year a day is set aside on the Capitol calendar for this event so if you have never attended before make plans to attend and make your voice heard. We have seen direct results benefiting the fire service due to our visits with the legislators. Keep in mind however that this one day is not the only time you should visit with your local legislator. If you don’t already know who your local legislator is take the time to find out and then introduce yourself to them. These people rely on the voices of the area they represent to help put perspective on the needs of the area and often the ramifications potentially created with some legislation.
Congratulations to the University of Missouri Extension’s Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI) on another successful Winter Fire School. The report on attendance and some unofficial reviews I have heard about some of the courses offered shows their continued commitment to provide quality training opportunities. The information also shows the Missouri fire service personnel understand the need for continued training and are willing to give up even more of their personal time to attend training to enhance their skills as they serve their local communities. Nice job fire folks.
Don’t forget the Missouri State Fair is just around the corner (August 8-18) and the Missouri State Fair Volunteer Fire Department will be up and running again as the only known fully functioning fire department that is in service for only eleven days each year.
This service is certainly unique and is made possible by the generous assistance provided by other departments across the state and the selfless giving of personal time provided by the members of the FFAM who staff the department. If you are interested in serving make sure your application is submitted by June 1.
If the Board of Directors or I can be of any assistance please let us know as we continue to serve you, the Missouri fire service.
Be Safe!
FFAM
