What a busy time for all of us in the fire service. The spring weather has been beautiful and we have been receiving rain on a timely manner. As far as the weather goes, everyone at the FFAM Annual Convention in Sedalia, Missouri, in April told me it was one of the best that they can remember in many years. It rained during the night on Friday but by Saturday morning the rain had stopped and the sky was overcast which provided an ideal condition for the competitions. I want to thank Gail Hagans-Reynolds for all of the photographs. She did an outstanding job of recording the history of the 2017 FFAM Convention. I have yet to go through all of the photographs.
The opening ceremony on Friday night went well and I appreciate everyone that attended. The contests were well attended and a crowd of around 300 was in attendance at the Saturday night banquet. All of these things I mentioned did not just happen by chance, but was because of a well planned and executed effort by the State Fair Fire Department Convention Committee led by Chief Larry Jennings of the Johnson County Fire Protection District.
Congratulations also to all of the award winners and contest winners. I will let the committee chairpersons write about this in their articles. The speaker at the banquet was outstanding and I heard many positive compliments.
It was a great convention and I thank everyone that had a part in its presentation. There is no way I could even begin to name everyone that helped. Again, awesome job.
Chillicothe Fire Department was awarded the 2018 Convention and Chief Darrel Wright is working very hard to present a great convention. I know he is up to the challenge. Make plans now to attend next May 4-6, 2018.
Missouri Funeral Team Leader Brian Zinanni and Missouri Fire Fighters Foundation member will be our Sunday morning speaker at our annual Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial on May 21, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. in Kingdom City, Missouri. I am sure Chairman Keith Smith will write more about that event.
Our Candlelight Service will be May 20, 2017, at 9:00 p.m. and Firefighter Kurt Ploch from the Boles Fire Protection District will be the speaker. Kurt will encourage each of us as we remember those that have gone before us.
Honor Guard Commander this year will be Chief James Ludden, Bolivar City Fire Department. We invite all honor guards and pipes and drums to come and participate on Sunday morning and you may contact Commander Ludden at 417-770-4312 or by e-mail at jludden@bolivar.mo.us
We also had an election of officers at convention and that brings me to congratulate everyone that was elected to office. I appreciate all of the officers, directors, and assistant directors that invest many hours serving FFAM in many different ways, attending meetings, promoting FFAM in their districts, serving on various committees, and having a can do attitude when I ask for a special task to be accepted. As president, I could not ask for a better group of individuals to serve with.
I also want to give a special thanks to my past 1st Vice-President Tim Bean, who served many years with FFAM and has recently been confirmed as the Missouri State Fire Marshal. Also to Charlie Neubert who has served as my past 2nd Vice-President and has been with FFAM many years, that I will not try to guess. Both of these men have served FFAM with integrity and loyalty. I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to know both of them. God speed to both of you.
Our next board meeting will be held on June 4, 2017, at 9:00 a.m. in Sedalia at a location to be announced on the fairgrounds.
As always, I want to hear from anyone that has a question or a concern. This is everyone’s association. You may contact me by phone at 573-581-6235 or by e-mail at chiefhoover@sbcglobal.net
Until we gather again, I wish each of you the best and God speed.
Kenneth Hoover
President
Fire Fighters Association of Missouri
FFAM
