F.F.A.M.

2016 Missouri State Fair Fire Department Report

The Missouri State Fair started in typical August fashion with hot weather. We had a staff on hand of 75 volunteer’s average per day to manage and care for all the fair visitors. We had five ALS ambulances and four engines ready to respond during the 264 hours we were in service. The Missouri DMAT team again deployed to assist with patient care free of charge for the fair visitors. Their staff averaged eleven people per day and were available to provide care and treatment as needed. We provided service with a total of 756 personnel during the fair totaling 18,144 hours of service.

The concerts and events kept us busy with the heat for opening weekend. Calls are always interesting to make it through all the crowds safely to assist those in need. We had big turn outs at the firehouse for kids wanting to see the equipment and of course Patches and Pumper and the famous Sparky and Smokey the Bear. We have great participation from all the crews on standby staying at the firehouse to assist with public relations.

The first Sunday and Monday of the fair brought relief from the heat and the tractor pull crowds. The concerts later in the week were well attended with no major events. The rodeo and bull riding events kept the arena busy and motocross and flat track racing came with a few calls for service. Rumor has it the bulls won again this year.

We recognized a few of the many deserving individuals during our awards ceremony. The Dispatcher of the Year went to Alan Altis of Kearney Fire Department. Junior Dispatcher of the Year was Sylmon Thompson the forth of Corder Fire. EMS of the Year went to Chris Thompson of Holt Summit Fire. Officer of the Year went to Larry Eggen of Johnson County Fire. The Firefighter of the Year went to Joe Stocker of Eureka Fire. Special Recognition for Public Relations went to brothers Gary and Steve Oliver of Savanah Fire. They were the Smokey the Bear and Sparky during the fair and received many hugs from all as they toured the fairgrounds and were a huge hit for all.

The vendors that donated the equipment and all the people that made the connections to get the equipment here to Sedalia for us to use was again tremendous. The value and service we provide as an organization to the State of Missouri and the fair attendees could not happen without the assistance of the FFAM State Fair Fire Department Committee, officers of the department and all that come to volunteer their time and energy to make the Missouri State Fair Fire Department a success. We would ask that if you have never volunteered to come, you have missed out and we would love to see you in 2017.