Where does time go? I have always heard the saying about time flying when you’re having fun or the older you get. If age is a factor then I, like many of you, must be about 150 years old or we are having a really, really fun time at the speed things are going. It seems like just yesterday it was last year and here we are already almost midway through another year. I hope you are each taking some time to slow things down and enjoy life and the many blessings around each of us. Family and friends are vital parts of our being and should be given the correct attention as we all juggle our hectic schedules. Make time and remember to relax when you can.
I was not able to attend Firefighter’s Day at the Capitol this year, but all reports indicate it was one of the best and was definitely one of, if not the highest attended event so far. Those in attendance had the opportunity to visit with legislators to discuss the needs of the fire service across the state. Attendees at the ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda had the opportunity to hear from several government officials along with representatives of Missouri Women of Fire who were the featured attendees. This is always a great opportunity to influence how our state legislators view the fire service and to let them know what our ongoing needs may be. If you didn’t make it this year we hope you can attend next spring at the annual event.
Depending on your timing in reading this edition of the magazine, there may still be time to submit your application to work at the Missouri State Fair Volunteer Fire Department this coming August. Applications are due by June 1 and are available under the “State Fair Committee” tab on the FFAM website. Educational opportunities await those who work, along with an outstanding opportunity to serve several hundred thousand visitors to the fair and the opportunity to make new friendships and rekindle old ones that can last a lifetime. I hope to see you working at the Fair, but if you aren’t there to work at least take a few minutes and stop by the fire station and have a cold water and visit with those on duty.
It is still several months away, but please mark your calendars for the Annual Firefighter’s Memorial Services in Kingdom City on October 5 and 6. The candlelight ceremony will be on the evening of the 5th and the memorial service will be on the morning of the 6th. Please plan to attend and help support the families and departments of those who have served their communities and have passed away. The ceremonies are a moving tribute and are administered by the Memorial Foundation members who always make the weekend come together in fine fashion.
Don’t forget there are legislatively funded training classes available across the state so check them out and sign up for one of the available courses on the Acadis portal through the State Fire Marshal’s Office. Make sure you request courses for your area so we can make training available in all regions of the state to cut down travel time for our personnel and create more opportunities for everyone to enhance their skills and knowledge base.
Remember as we head into our hot summer months to take extra precautions needed to avoid heat-related ill effects on our personnel. Hydration is key along with adequate rest and reducing core body temperatures while working at incidents. The hot months also take a toll on our apparatus so this is a good time to make sure your apparatus are functioning correctly to meet your needs along with the expectations of the public we serve.
Be Safe!
FFAM
