Fire Fighters Association of Missouri

NVFC Summer Update

Keith Smith, News

Greetings everyone and welcome to summertime in Missouri. Because there are so many volunteer Fire/EMS-based operations in the United States, NVFC is not only actively involved in this, but they have an EMS Section. Unlike all of their other 16-operating committees with a set number which can vote, all Directors are part of the EMS Section and can vote.

Most people are not even aware that NVFC, like it or dislike it, was the leader in securing a uniform national standard in ambulance construction safety similar to fire trucks. Right now the major stakeholders are networking with the National Association of EMS Physicians on Quality Measures which have national implications. For now, let’s just say it will be an ongoing process for the summer. Continue Reading →

Auxiliary Update

Jessica Miller, News

Hello Auxiliary members. We have lots of activities coming up in the next few months and I wanted to take a moment to highlight those events and update you on the different ways to reach out to the executive board and each other.

First and foremost we have changed our Facebook page. Please look us up as Fire Fighters Association of Missouri -Auxiliary. This page is public and is for everyone to see, we will use this page to announce upcoming events that are open to the public. The second Facebook page is for members only. Here we will post items that are specific to our group for example the zoom links for our meetings and even sign-up sheets for our volunteer opportunities. Look for the page by searching FFAM Auxiliary Members Group. This page will be accessible to paid members. Please be sure to like the first page and request access to the second page.

We have two upcoming volunteer events that we would appreciate help with. The first event is the BBQ Smoke Out which will be held July 31st in Columbia. We need volunteers to serve food from 11-6. The second event is the September 11 Patriot Day at the Capitol. We will be serving food at this event again from 11-6. We have a sign-up sheet available on the Member’s Facebook page for both events and would appreciate your support as we support the FFAM in their fundraising goals. Please go over to the Facebook page, check it out, and sign up!

At our next bi-monthly meeting in August, we will not only have our regular business meeting, but we will also be working on memorial ribbons for the annual FFAM Memorial Service in October. We have lots of ribbons to put together and ask that members attending bring a pair of scissors. The more members we have, the quicker we can complete this project.

Please reach out to your executive board if you have an event going on that you would like us to attend or be a part of. Our contact info is on the website or you can reach out to us via Facebook. We are here to work for you!

The Museum Foundation Report – July 2021

Keith Smith, News

Welcome to the museum report. Since the May/June summary I can add additional sidewalk work for our north-side entrance, grass seed planted and tall enough to require mowing and currently working with Morton on some warranty projects. We have outlined a new strategy in our future plans for a directed focus on fundraising in completing the interior we are calling phase-II. I hope all of you were able to read the entire last article from Foundation Board Member Gail Hagans prepared in providing some history and greater insight of how things started and where we need to arrive in “Finishing this Project.”

In continuing with our introduction of your Foundation Board members, the next two people I would like to introduce our two long serving past presidents of the two primary Fire Service Organizations in the State of Missouri. They are Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters (MO Council) President Emeritus Sherwood Smith and Fire Fighters Association of Missouri (FFAM) Past President Kenneth Hoover. Continue Reading →

2021 Poster Winners Fire Prevention Week

News

Every year the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri holds a poster contest to help promote the theme for the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme was Serve Fire Safety in the Kitchen and was the focus of topics October 4-10, 2020. The FFAM would like to thank everyone who participated and congratulates all of the winners. The winners are asked to attend the Missouri State Fair as a guest of the Missouri State Fair Volunteer Fire Department. Each winner will get into the fairgrounds and receive a pass for the mile-long midway and prize money.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Winners:

Third and Fourth Grade Winners:

First and Second Grade Winners:

Special Needs Winner:

1st Place: Logan Brundege – Little Dixie Fire Protection District

Auxiliary Meeting Minutes – July 2021

Auxiliary

Meeting called to order by President Jessica Miller at 9:00 a.m.

Members Present
Jessica Miller, Norborne FD; Sheri Berendzen, Cole County Fire; Joni Fields, Paris Rural FD; Carissa Thompson, Holts Summit FPD; Missy Erdel, Little Dixie FPD; Joyce Thompson, Kearney Fire and Rescue; Laura Peel, SEFPD Randolph Co; Angela Fields, Paris Rural FD. Diane Wynne, Galt FD; Kim Peffermann, Washington FD and Christina Loyd, Johnson Co FPD attended via zoom.

Minutes
Jessica Miller asked if there were any changes, comments, or corrections for the May 2, 2021 meeting minutes. Missy made a motion to accept the minutes as written, seconded by Angie, motion passed.

Financial Report
There was no financial report available at this time. The funds have been transferred to Missouri Bank in the Theresa area. Continue Reading →

Cedar Hill Fire Protection District Promotions

From Around The State, News

Cedar Hill Fire Protection District would like to announce promotions that will be taking effect on July 4, 2021. Battalion Chief David Jones will be promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief. Battalion Chief Jones has served the district for 35 years. Lieutenant Matthew Shuster will be promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief. Lieutenant Shuster has served the district for 29 years. Engineer Christopher Guse will be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Engineer Guse has served the district for 23 years.

Sumner FD Receives $3,000 Gift

From Around The State, News

The Sumner Fire Department received $3,000 from Shane Cooper with Pioneer Seed to purchase the Great Wall of Grain Rescue Equipment. From left to right is Shane Cooper Pioneer Seed Dealer, Randy Thudium Fire Chief, and Jim Stewart Board member. Thanks again Shane and Pioneer Seed.

Assistant Chief Shuster Retires

Cedar Fill Fire Protection District, News

Assistant Chief Greg Shuster

Now and then the fire service loses great people. On August 24th, 2021 Cedar Hill Fire Protection District will say goodbye to one of those great people, Assistant Chief Greg Shuster. After 49 years with the district, Chief Shuster will retire.

Greg started with the district at the age of 16 as a Junior Firefighter. He says that his mother advised him that if he joined, he’d better not just join up and then quit. Greg has stuck around and left his mark.
After his time as a junior Greg went on to serve the Cedar Hill District in the ranks of Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, Assistant Fire Marshal, and Assistant Chief. Greg has always been willing to lend a hand or an ear to one of his firefighters. He has devoted much of his career, training others to become firefighters or to become better firefighters.

He is highly regarded amongst his peers as being an excellent training officer. Greg has spent lots of time instructing not only within the Cedar Hill organization, but also with the University of Missouri Fire and Rescue Training Institute, Jefferson County Training Academy, and Tri-County Training Consortium. Although Chief Shuster has passed on plenty of knowledge throughout the years, it will be impossible to fully replace his unique experience and expertise. Continue Reading →