President Kenneth Hoover called the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri to order at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, August 7, 2016 at the Missouri State Fair Fire Department in Sedalia, MO.
Roll Call of Board of Directors
Officers
President Kenneth Hoover, Little Dixie FPD; First Vice President Tim Bean, West Plains FD; Second Vice President Charlie Neubert, Highlandville Rural FPD; Secretary Treasurer Jaime Miller, Johnson County FPD.
Board of Directors
District 1, Terry Wynne, Galt FPD; District 2, Greg Wright, Shelbina FD; District 3, Larry Jones, Madison West Monroe FPD; District 7, R.B. Brown, Eureka FPD; District 9, Roy Sims, West Plains FD; District 11, Monty Thompson, Kearney FPD; District 14, Rick Dozier, Southern FPD of Holt County.
Assistant Directors
District 1, Janet Cain, Braymer FR; District 3, Steve Gentry, Little Dixie FPD; District 4, Jonathan Evans, Lincoln FD; District 5, Shelby Phifer, Southern Stone FPD; District 11, Ryan Miller, Norborne FPD; District 14, Glenn Dittmar, South Central Buchanan County FD.
Guests
Historian Kay Asher, Wentzville FPD; Past President Keith Smith, Warrenton FPD; Greg Carrell, Brenda Carrell, Missouri State Fire Marshal; David Hedrick, MU FRTI; Larry Jennings, Johnson County FPD; Grant Oetting, Higginsville FPD; Darrell Wright, Chillicothe FD; Billy Smith, North Central Carroll FPD; Ronnie Fields, Darin Maupin, Parks Rural FPD; Randy Thudium, Sumner FD; Rick Johnson, Knob Noster FD; Donald Vaucher, Harriett Vaucher, Eureka FPD.
Agenda
President Hoover asked for additions to the agenda. R.B. Brown moved to accept the agenda as presented. Roy Sims seconded the motion and all approved.
Minutes
President Hoover asked for corrections to the June 5, 2016 meeting minutes. Rick Dozier moved to accept the minutes as presented. Charlie Neubert seconded the motion and all approved.
Financial Report
President Hoover asked for a review of the June-July 2016 financial report. R.B. Brown moved to accept the financial reports as presented. Larry Jones seconded the motion and all approved.
Report of Officers and Special Guest(s)
Director David Hedrick with MU FRTI reported that Summer Fire School was held in June. 328 students were enrolled which was down from previous years.
MU FRTI is closing out their fiscal year for 2016. 13,828 students were enrolled in 637 classes during the year which was an increase from 2016. He thanked everyone for their continued support of the programs.
A subsidy funding presentation was made to the Missouri Fire Safety Council. $155,000 was provided however, the funds have not yet been released by the governor.
An advisory council was established to review the trends at MU FRTI. The council reviewed programs and past activities and then gave MU FRTI feedback and suggestions on how to proceed for the future. The council was comprised of people from throughout the state and Rob Erdel represented FFAM on the council.
Hedrick also reported that during fiscal year 2016, eight Recruitment and Retention classes were held with 57 students attending the recruitment class and 58 attending the retention class. Those departments who are interesting in hosting the classes should contact MU FRTI.
Greg Carrell, Missouri State Fire Marshal, reported that the legislative session just finished and he is currently working on the new budget. There was a law that passed that allows volunteer fire associations to apply for grants to receive help with finances on work compensation claims. It goes into effect August 28 however, no funds have been appropriated for the grants yet and funding won’t be available until April or possibly even July. The law as it is written is designated only for fire associations and not for any fire entity that receives tax money. They are going to try and expand the language to include other types of fire departments.
Carrell advised that the division received everything that they budgeted for however, the funds have been withheld by the governor but will hopefully be released soon.
The division is working with vendors who teach classes in an effort to expand upon the existing programs. They are looking into blended format programs which would have both online and classroom learning.
A new fire mutual aid coordinator has been hired. He has 24 years of service in the air force and will start later in August.
A legislator contacted him regarding repairs needed at the Missouri State Fair Fire Department station in an effort to possibly get funds to help with the necessary repairs. They will be touring the station in the near future.
Carrell also reported that he is working with legislators to try and get tax breaks for those firefighters who attend trainings. There may be the possibility of mandated firefighter training in Missouri in the future due to insurance costs and firefighter injuries. Departments are going to have to show an effort to keep firefighters safe in order to keep training and work compensation funding coming in. Keith Smith advised that Iowa implemented mandated firefighter training five years ago and have had positive success. It may also help with insurance rates.
Correspondence
No correspondence was received.
Unfinished Business
No unfinished business to report.
New Business
No new business to report.
Committee Reports
Awards Committee
Larry Jennings advised that nominations are accepted throughout the year.
Budget Committee
Tim Bean advised that committee budget requests are due by October 2.
Bylaws Committee
No report.
Chaplain Committee
David Hedrick advised that the Federation of Fire Chaplain’s conference is October 16-20 in Ohio. They have more information on their website.
Contest Committee
No report.
Convention Committee
Larry Jones advised he has not yet received a report from the Lake Area Emergency Services Association. Larry Jennings, chairman of the 2017 convention committee, advised that sponsorship and advertising information is now available on the website. Everyone is encouraged to contact vendors in their areas as the 2017 convention is hosted by the MSFFD on behalf of the FFAM and is not limited to one town or area.
Education Committee
Rick Dozier advised that the Propane Safety for First Responders training will be held September 24-25 at the Missouri State Fair Fire Department. All expenses are covered and there is no cost for anyone wanting to attend. Anyone interested in staying at the fire station can contact him.
Greg Wright advised that a free training regarding LODD, Supporting Heroes and the Public Safety Officer Benefit program will be held on Friday, October 21 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons in Osage Beach. The training is the first day of the Missouri Public Safety Weekend Heroes Tribute Gala which will be October 21–23.
Prevention Committee
R.B. Brown advised that the poster winners have been notified and some will be attending the fair.
Legislative Committee
Tim Bean advised that currently everything is on hold pending release by the governor. If anyone has issues that they would like brought before the legislation, contact him or Greg Brown. Legislators Day at the Missouri State Fair will be August 18.
Membership Committee
2nd Vice President Neubert reported the following membership counts: 476 Directors/Councilman; 267 Retired; 16 Associate; 13 Sustaining; 19 Corporate, 374 Departments; 6982 Active; 10 Educational; 26 Juniors.
Discussion was held on the continued decline of individual membership. The dues rates were discussed along with the possible need to increase the dues to continue to provide services to the membership. Terry Wynne moved that the Executive Committee begin reviewing the potential need for a dues increase. Rick Dozier seconded the motion and all approved. Secretary Miller was instructed to get a survey out to departments across the state to try and receive feedback regarding the decline in membership.
Nomination Committee
No report.
NVFC Committee
Keith Smith advised that he and Greg Wright will be attending the NVFC fall meeting September 21-23. There is more information coming out regarding cancer within the fire service. There is also a push throughout the country to maintain awareness for firefighter safety due to an increase in violence. Firefighters are often targeted along with police officers so everyone needs to remain aware and be cautious.
Scholarship Committee
Grant Oetting advised that scholarship applications are accepted throughout the year and encourages anyone to apply.
State Fair Committee
Monty Thompson advised that everything is ready for the start of the State Fair on August 11. Discussion was held regarding the leaking roof at the fire station. Thompson advised that he met with the fair director who advised to contact their local legislators. President Hoover advised that he is scheduling legislators who would like to speak during Legislators Day so anyone interested in making a public speech should contact him.
Website Committee
Secretary Miller advised to contact her for any website additions.
Newsletter
Secretary Miller advised the next newsletter deadline is September 1.
Historian report
Theresa Cox reported on behalf of Kay Asher that she, Kay, and Grant Oetting rented a van and picked up memorabilia from the home of Joe Jackson. With the addition of the memorabilia along with the existing items, things will no longer fit in Kay Asher’s basement. Discussion was held on a climate controlled storage unit in Wentzville. A 10×30 unit rents for $225 per month. Discussion was also held on the need for storage shelves and totes for the unit in order to organize everything. Doc Kritzer advised that he would speak with Kingdom City officials regarding potential storage space in the basement of their city hall located at next to the memorial. Discussion was also held on the cost of climate controlled storage containers that can be moved to a fixed site. Charlie Neubert moved to approve a $1,000 one-time expense for shelving and storage containers and $225 per month rental for a climate controlled storage unit pending conversations with Kingdom City regarding potential storage options. Shelby Phifer seconded the motion and all approved.
Funeral Team report
Harriett Vaucher reported that the team assisted with a LODD in Green Township last week and also assisted with services of a retired firefighter in Crestwood. She reported that she and Don Vaucher went to Emmittsburg, MD in June for the dedication of the pre-1981 LODD Walk of Honor which also honored her late husband who passed away in the line of duty in 1971.
Foundation report
Keith Smith reported that they have been made aware of two previous LODD that they are gathering more information on. There are 15 non-LODD names so far this year. They will start contacting the families in the future, which they have tried to refrain from, for more information as departments aren’t always a good source to get the most information.
The memorial service DVD’s should be available soon.
He also reported so everyone was clear on the status of the museum project. Phase one of the project is $800,000. As of right now, money available, which includes the FFAM’s pledge, totals approximately $400,000. They currently don’t have the commitments or financial backing to proceed with starting phase one of the project. There are no corporate sponsors however some large donors have discussed the possibility of withdrawing their donations if the project isn’t going to move forward. Discussion was held including suggestions for potential fundraisers. Smith advised he would pass along the suggestions to the foundation board at their next meeting on August 21.
He also advised that Greg Wright and Ben Bonner have been appointed to the foundation board.
Terry Wynne moved to adjourn the meeting. Roy Sims seconded the motion and all approved. President Hoover adjourned the meeting at 10:50 a.m.
Jaime Miller,
Secretary
Fire Fighters Association of Missouri
FFAM
