F.F.A.M.

Fire Marshal’s Update – November 2019

Greetings from the thirteenth floor. Happy First Responders Day, it is today October 28, as I write this article. Judy and I would like to express our thankfulness to each one of our present and past first responders. Many have served for many years, and some may just be beginning their career, but one thing, each of you hold is commitment, service, and selflessness. We appreciate you, and are thankful for you!

Since the last article I attended the National Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Firefighter Russell Hayes from El Dorado Springs Fire Department was recognized this year and was added to the national wall. I would like to thank the Missouri firefighters who volunteered as family survivor sponsors, along with the Missouri fire departments who sent honor/color guards to participate during the weekend ceremonies. Thanks to Supporting Hero’s for their assistance to me during that weekend.

I have attended several funeral visitations across our state this year. I would like for any agency that loses a member within your department, even if they have retired to please reach out to me and let me know. We at the Division would like to recognize them for their service to our state. I will do my best to attend the visitation and personally meet the family and thank them for sharing their love one, and their sacrifice.

I would like to plug the FFAM memorial service at this time also. In May, the third weekend, the FFAM will host a memorial service in Kingdom City. This is the ceremonial site for Line-of-Duty, and Non-Line of Duty deaths. If you have any one who has served with your agency, past or present who has passed on, they will recognize them at the memorial service in May. If you have questions feel free to contact me at 573-751-1742.

Light the Night was very successful across our state during the week of September 29, to October 5. We were very appreciative that Governor Parson allowed the Missouri State Capitol to be lit red this year. Many of you shared your departments and homes shining red. Let’s continue this tradition next year. The dates for next year’s Light the Night will be September 27, to October 3. If you would send this year’s photos to dclark@firehero.org they will add them to the National Fallen Fire Fighters Light the Night website.

The 3rd Annual State Fire Marshal 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb was again a successful event. I would like to express my appreciation to my staff, sponsors, vendors, locale first responder agencies, OA, and NFFF. It appears we will have raised over $18,000 dollars to support survivor families. We have settled on a date for next year’s stair climb, October 10, 2020, save the date, don’t be late!

There is power through education. I am pleased to see the large number of fire departments who participated during Fire Prevention Week. What an opportunity to take our message to the streets, and make our state safer. “Not everyone wears a cape, Plan and Practice your Escape,” was this year’s theme. Thank you for caring and sharing this message, every little bit matters!

The new process on how to get your free firefighter training is good. Thank you to everyone who has applied for free firefighter training. We realize it is 180 degrees from the old way, but we are committed to assisting you in any way we can. Contact me at tim.bean@dfs.dps.mo.gov, 573-751-1742 or 573-645-2069. Contact Becky at Becky.Trapani@dfs.dps.mo.gov, 573-751-5302 or 573-508-4343. To apply for training go to: https://dfs.dps.mo.gov/programs/training/contract-awarded.php, there is a video there that will assist you on how to fill out your request. Again feel free to contact us if you have questions or need assistance.

Thank you to our Missouri Fire Fighter Veterans and any veteran who has served our nation. I appreciate you seeing the need to serve which has allowed us to maintain our freedom, and be the greatest nation on this earth. God Bless you and God Bless America! 

Division news

Missouri Division of Fire Safety Team would like to invite you to Assistant State Fire Marshal’s Greg Carrell retirement celebration on December 4, at 2:00 p.m. The event will be held at McClung Park Pavilion, 931 McClung Park Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65101. Assistant  State Fire Marshal Carrell has served our state and the division of fire safety for thirty-three years. Come join us, and help celebrate his awesome journey of service.

In other news, John Loveless has moved over into the Fire Investigation Unit. He will be serving the central area of the state, based out of the Mexico area. We want to welcome Eric Hartman to our Division team. Eric will replace John and will be begin his duties in the training division November 18. 

In closing Thanksgiving and Christmas will have passed by the time of the next news article. Judy and I would like to send our heartfelt thankfulness and appreciation to each and every first responder who serves in our state. We are very blessed to serve alongside and support each of you. Thank you for your dedication and commitment day in and day out! And we wish you a Merry Christmas. We hope you would join us and not forget the reason for the season, God’s gift to us all, his son Jesus Christ. I hope you have a personal relationship with him, because of his love, you can have life everlasting.

Thanks for all you do. If there someone in your agency that is retiring, or passes away please get with me. I would like to recognize them from the Fire Marshal’s Office. You can Facebook message me, or call me directly at 573-751-1742. 

Stay Safe and God Bless You!
J. Tim Bean 
State Fire Marshal, Division of Fire Safety