How did 2026 get here so fast? It seems like only yesterday I was penning my January 2025 submission to the magazine. I hope each of you took the necessary time this past year to be with family and friends and have been able to share your many life experiences with them. In this profession, we all tend to focus on service to our community and those in need and sometimes we forget to spend time on the very relationships that allow us the opportunity to serve. Although we need to keep serving the community, I challenge each of you to spend more time with family and friends and make sure you are also meeting their needs.
If you are like me, you have already gotten your 2026 calendar about half-filled with various obligations. I hope you remembered when laying out your calendar that the 2026 FFAM Convention will be April 24-26, in Liberty, and we hope you will join us. Remember the annual meeting of the Association will be on the morning of the 26th. We always welcome the delegates and other members as we conduct the business of the Association. Information about the Convention is available under the “Convention Committee” tab on the FFAM website.
Scholarship applications and award nominations are due February 28th. Make sure you get that paperwork submitted on time. Getting financial assistance towards your education is always welcome, and we have many members doing exceptional work throughout the state who are deserving of recognition. Submit the paperwork and join us at the banquet during the Convention on the 25th to see the awardees recognized.
Change is on the horizon for the Missouri State Fair Volunteer Fire Department, and with a little luck, good weather, and a dedicated construction crew, we will all see the transformation from the old “well-used” building that has housed operations for many years into a new modern structure. The old building was removed as planned, and work continues to get the new one operational before the start of the fair in August 2026. If you would like to work at the fair, remember to watch for the application and make sure you get yours submitted on time.
As we start this year, I have asked that a modification be made in the frequency of our regular meetings. To help ease the burden of attending meetings, we will only meet once per quarter in 2026 and will evaluate that rotation for future years. The meetings are planned for February 1st, April 26th (in conjunction with the Convention), August 2nd, and November 1st. Moving the meetings will hopefully allow more people to travel to the meetings fewer times each year to participate in the business of the Association.
It is extremely important that you are paying attention to the actions taking place in Jefferson City in the legislative session. Many bills were pre-filed that deal with taxation in one form or another, some of which could have severe consequences if you are a special district operating on property taxes. Most of the bills would not only affect fire districts but also all special districts, raising concerns on many fronts about the possible local effects these state-level actions may have if implemented. You need to make sure you read up on these proposed bills and reach out to your legislators to make sure they understand the repercussions that could be realized for the local services expected by those we serve.
Be safe in all you do. If the Board of Directors can be of assistance, please contact us.
FFAM
