President Larry Jennings called the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri to order at 9:00 am on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at the Missouri State Fair Volunteer Fire Department, Sedalia, MO. The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call of Board of Directors and other officials:
Officers
President Larry Jennings, Johnson County FPD; First Vice President Charlie Peel, Southeastern Randolph FPD; Secretary Treasurer Jaime Miller, Johnson County FPD #2; Sergeant-at-Arms Jonathan Evans, Lincoln Comm FD.
Directors
District 2, Vernon Cash, Shelbina FPD; District 4, Joe Vaughn, Central Cass Co FPD (V); District 6, Shawn Ritchie, Gravois FPD (V); District 8, Bob Floyd, El Dorado Springs FD; District 9, Mark Arnold, Thayer Rural FD (V); District 11, Billy Smith, North Central Carroll Co FPD; District 12, Rob Francis, Fruitland Area FPD.
Assistant Directors
District 1, Janet Cain, Shoal Creek FPD; District 3, Dale Ransdell, Madison West Monroe FPD; District 3, Josh Loyd, Martinsburg Area FPD; District 6, Alan Braun, Cole County FPD (V); District 7, Andrew Caldwell, Boles FPD (V); District 11, Josh Koepke, Kansas City FD.
Guests
Harry Ward, Dave Hedrick, University of Missouri Extension Fire and Rescue Training Institute (MU FRTI); Tim Bean, Missouri Division of Fire Safety (V); Keith Smith, Warrenton FPD; Kenneth Hoover, Little Dixie FPD; Larry Eggen, Kathy Eggen, Johnson County FPD; Mathaniel Mullins, Queen City FD; Roger Brown, Milan FD; Jason Deitch, Brunswick FD.
*(V) denotes Virtual Attendance
Agenda
President Jennings asked for additions to the agenda. No additions were made.
Minutes
Present Jennings asked for a review of the August 4, 2024, meeting minutes. Billy Smith moved to accept the minutes as presented. Vernon Cash seconded the motion and all approved.
Financial Report
President Jennings asked for a review of the July-August 2024 financial report. Discussion was held and the board advised to file the report for the annual compilation.
Report of Officers and Special Guest(s):
Harry Ward with the University of Missouri Extension Fire and Rescue Training Institute reported that the annual report is available. They only had 23% of scheduled classes canceled, which is less than in previous years. The Missouri Emergency Services Instructor Conference is November 1-3. There is a Fire Service Instructor III pilot program beginning on October 31. Contact MU FRTI if you are interested. There will be an Advisory Council meeting on October 31 with representatives from every region in the state and the three largest cities. FFAM is also represented. The Council wants to get feedback on what training departments would like to see made available. Winter Fire School is February 7-9, 2025. The MFA Volunteer Fire Grant opens October 1-31. You must be a registered fire department through the state in order to apply and FFAM directors will assist again this year with the grading process.
Tim Bean with the Missouri Division of Fire Safety reported that there was a recent LODD with Kansas City FD. The DFS 9/11 Memorial Stair climb will be on October 5. Funds raised will go to Supporting Heroes. Bean asked if FFAM would become a floor sponsor for $250. The discussion was tabled. He also advised that a new mutual aid coordinator has started with the DFS and has already increased the annual registrations by 35-40 departments.
District reports
District 2
Vernon Cash reported that the Newark fire chief passed away recently – non-LODD.
District 4
Joe Vaughn reported that Kylie Frerking and Brandon Cole attended the Sedalia FD open house.
District 6
Shawn Ritchie reported that he recently met with Morgan County 911 and has meetings scheduled with two ambulance districts.
District 7
Andrew Caldwell reported they attended the JeffCo Engine Rally and received the Heritage Apparatus Award for the 1929 Engine. The engine also transported the grand marshals in the parade.
District 8
Bob Floyd reported that he has attended a couple fire chiefs’ meetings and is updating contacts.
District 9
Mark Arnold reported that he attended Skyline FD open house and has met with several fire chiefs in his area.
District 11
Billy Smith reported that Richmond FD has now joined, and he has an upcoming meeting with Malta Bend.
District 12
Rob Francis reported that he attended the Cape Co Firefighter Association meeting last week. They are trying to start a regional fire school in the area.
Correspondence
Secretary Miller reported that thank you cards were received from the Missouri State Fair, Missouri Association of Fire Districts and scholarship recipient Reagan Wright.
Keith Smith reported that NVFC passes on their appreciation to FFAM and those who made the fall conference a success. Many compliments were received for the transportation services. Keith Smith, Josh Koepke, Grant Oetting, Shawn Ritchie and Missy Erdel were all thanked for their work on the event.
Old Business
No old business was presented.
New Business
President Jennings advised he received a recommendation to appoint Jason Deitch with Brunswick FD as a District 11 Assistant Director. Jonathan Evans moved to appoint Jason Dietch as District 11 Assist Director. Vernon Cash seconded the motion and all approved.
Discussion was held on the reserve fund and benevolence fund and what those funds were designated for as well as the reserve fund pledged amount to the Fire Fighters Museum Project. Vernon Cash moved to give $50,000 from the reserve fund CD, when it matures, to the Fire Fighters Museum Project to complete the pledged commitment by FFAM. Charlie Peel seconded the motion and all approved. Vernon Cash moved that the eyeglass budget category and fire loss assistance program budget category be moved to the benevolence fund but leaving a $30,000 minimum balance in the fund. Rob Francis seconded the motion and all approved. A discussion was held regarding an increase in future dues. Directors were asked to discuss within their districts and bring feedback to the December meeting.
Billy Smith moved to sponsor a floor at the Division of Fire Safety 9/11 Memorial Stair climb. Charlie Peel seconded the motion and all approved.
Committee Reports
Awards Committee
Joe Vaughn reported he has received the bell and should have the base in a couple of weeks.
Budget Committee
Charlie Peel presented the proposed 2025 budget. Committees are encouraged to review and bring any questions to the committee before the December meeting.
Bylaws Committee
No report was given.
Chaplain Committee
Dave Hedrick reported that the Missouri Fire Chaplains Corp held their annual meeting in September, in Arnold, MO. Ten new Missouri Chaplains completed the Essentials Chaplains class. The Corp has re-aligned their training matrix to better correspond with the MO Disaster Chaplains requirements. The current organization officers were re-elected during the meeting. There is a vacancy for the SW Regional Director’s position.
The MFCC will be presenting the class Stress Management for Trauma Service Responders at Winter Fire School and participating in the WFS Exposition. They will also be conducting additional training for Chaplains in Columbia before Winter Fire School. More information will be coming soon.
Contest Committee
No report was given.
Convention Committee
Josh Loyd reported that he is still working with Lake Ozark FPD to get their final report.
Education Committee
No report was given.
Fire Prevention Committee
Andrew Caldwell reported that the theme is “Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you!” Departments are reminded to use the correct label, which is available on the website.
Legislative Committee
Tim Bean reported that the Missouri Fire Service Alliance is working on the upcoming session issues at this time so reach out to the Legislative Committee if you have any specific questions or concerns.
Membership Committee
Jaime Miller reported the following membership counts: 524 Directors/Councilman; 447 Retired; 21 Associate; 10 Sustaining; 16 Corporate, 356 Fire Departments; 6717 Active; 3 Educational Entity; 9 Educational Active; 165 Juniors; 6 EMS Department, 183 EMS individuals; 0 911 Entity; 0 911 individuals.
NVFC Committee
Keith Smith reported that OSHA was a key topic at the fall meeting. Public comment closed on September 27. Energy drinks were also a big topic. There is a lot of information that will be coming out regarding the problematic effects of energy drinks and firefighters. The National Cancer Registry has 17,000 firefighters now registered of which 4,000 are volunteers. He received very positive feedback about transportation during the fall meeting. A special thanks to Cable Dahmer and Kansas City FD for the donation of vehicles.
Nomination Committee
Ken Hoover reported Jonathan Evans has submitted his name for the Sergeant-at-Arms position.
Public Relations Committee
Jaime Miller advised that the next magazine deadline is October 30.
Scholarship Committee
Larry Eggen advised that the scholarship deadline is February 28.
State Fair Committee
President Jennings reported they have been meeting with state fair personnel and architects regarding building designs.
Historian report
No report was given.
Fire Funeral Team report
No report was given.
EMS Funeral Team report
Jaime Miller reported on behalf of Greg Wright – they have had two non-LODD callouts since the last meeting. Their conference is October 11-13 at Camden on the Lake. The 2025 conference will be October 17-19 at Camden on the Lake. Next year’s conference has some high-powered speakers on taking care of our public safety family, PTSD and self-defense. All fire, EMS and law enforcement are invited. More information to come.
Foundation report
Keith Smith reported there will be 117 non-LODD and 3 LODD names recognized at annual memorial services. Engraving has been completed. Operation BBQ Relief has been called to assist with the hurricanes so they will not be providing a meal after the Sunday service. If inclement weather is expected, the services will be moved to the Auxvasse Middle School. The two guest speakers are survivors. New sidewalks are completed.
They are having a difficult time getting responses from fire departments when they are trying to get information about firefighters who have passed away. Departments are encouraged to provide needed information so those who have passed can be honored.
President Jennings adjourned the meeting at 11:15 am.
FFAM
