We had so many great things to celebrate this year at the fairgrounds. We started our fire department in 1962 and we celebrated our 65th year of being in service to the Missouri State Fair. The State Fair was celebrating the 250th Anniversary of our country with banners and exhibits across the grounds. We were given a new building on Friday July 10th to make it into a functioning firehouse for our Anniversary and go in service at 18:00 on August 12th. We were blessed with a great partner Goppert Foundation who heard of our need for financial help in furnishing the facility with the necessary equipment and donated the funding to make the building function as a firehouse. We appreciate their generous support and look forward to working with them in the future.
Building a New Firehouse
Many volunteers from across the state who are members of the Firefighters Association of Missouri gave of their time each weekend to complete the tall task. Firefighters are known for their dedication and being able to overcome many challenges. This was a huge challenge for our volunteers.
The work completed was an example of their commitment and determination. They put together 92 bunk beds for our 7 bunk rooms, numerous tables and office chairs as well as unloading a semitrailer full of the bunk beds and mattresses. The lockers were delivered assembled so they had to install in the bunk rooms. This was completed the first work weekend.
I will not be able to name everyone who helped but 2 stand out with their remarkable technical skills. Tim (The Tool Man) Caudill, which we started to call him and Kyler Oliver took the lead in connecting the wiring in the building for phones, computers and a projector in the lunch room/training center. They had several members under their direction to complete the necessary installations to the rooms as needed.
The second work weekend we unloaded 2 shipping containers and a semi-trailer of equipment from our old building. We sorted through the old equipment to install in all the new offices. I believe these work weekends were both in the 100 degree heat indices and we were in a steel container for most of the morning and finished around 2. That was two tough work weekends getting the building settled with furnishings.
The third work weekend we traveled with trailers to Warrensburg to pick up items stored in a shed. They were installed and checked for operation. We purchased 2 new washers and 2 new dryers for the laundry room. One of our old dryers and washing machines quit last year during the fair and one washer was rented for that fair. We gained an additional washer and dryer for the staff to use so we now have 2 new sets in the laundry room and 2 old for the staff to use during the fair.
The fourth weekend our volunteers continued with installation of equipment and checking for proper operation. We were lucky to have 21 portable shelving units donated for the new firehouse and several extra wheels which were installed on the steam table under several tables to make them portable. The unpacking of boxes continued as we sorted through finding items and putting them were they belonged for the fair. EMS personnel also staffed the station for the 4-H and FFA horse shows that weekend.
The 5th work weekend saw the finishing touches added to facilities and host a Board meeting to show off our facilities to all the Directors and Board. The new computer and sound system turned out great as we could hear the Zoom attendees and they could hear all present during the meeting. A big improvement in the seating and sound system was appreciated by all who attended. If you did not attend the 2026 fair our new facilities are a must see and stop on your next trip to Sedalia. We had thousands of visitors this year to tour our new facilities and look to continue for many years to come.
This year saw 150 people apply to serve in the 92 slots we have for our operation. We had several members switch their days to serve as we filled all beds on the first weekend. There were 40 plus new volunteers who applied this year and we appreciated meeting and working alongside the new members of our staff. Being in a new facility and all the new staff made for an exciting 11 days of service. We averaged 87 for the daily staff and look forward to having 2027 Missouri State Fair in our new building again. We had a few minor issues to resolve and all the staff and crew did an amazing job in our new home. We look forward to all to return and serve at the only known 11 day fire department.
Opening Day
To open the 2026 Missouri State Fair Fire Department going in service we held a Flag raising ceremony with the Honor Guard from the Cole Camp Sons of the American Legion Squadron 305 donating the flags and raising the flags on our new flagpole donated by CFM Insurance. The pledge of allegiance to the flag was next with Tim Caudill singing the National Anthem. We then moved inside and rang our new bell 11 times for the 11 days of service we were starting and finished with a dinner for all who attended.
We attended 3 ribbon cutting ceremonies on Opening Day Thursday. The first was the Parson Arena on the southwest corner of the Fairgrounds. This was a much needed facility for the future growth of the fair and events that can be held there will be a great addition for generations to come. Make sure to watch the Missouri State Fair website for future events. The Firehouse dedication and ribbon cutting was the next ceremony with Governor Kehoe and the First Lady Claudia, Director of Ag Chris Chinn and their staff joining our staff for lunch. We invited them to ring in the building with the ceremonial bell we received from the 250th Anniversary Commission honoring the Emergency Responders in our State. It was an honor to have all the FFAM dignitaries who attended as well as former volunteers who came for the once in a lifetime dedication on opening day. The final event was across the street at the Historic 4-H Building. What a fun day of celebration.
Our crews were eager to show off the new facilities and we had such a great response from all who toured our facilities. The staff of the Office of Administration and the State fair office staff came through and received a guided tour and explanation of all the Fire Department does each year for the State of Missouri. Many past firefighters who have served came all during the fair and were impressed with the new station. It would not have been possible without the 65 years of dedication of all who served leading up to a new facility. We enjoyed hearing their stories and the sharing of their experiences from years past. You could see the excitement they had in knowing they had a part of this department and improvements.
A Successful Fair
We finished out the fair with our regular duties and handled all the calls for service as usual. Plan to apply for the 2027 Missouri State Fair and become a part of the tradition of service and dedication to the State of Missouri.
FFAM
