Fire Fighters Association of Missouri

NVFC Autumn Update – November 2021

Keith Smith, News

I will start with an update regarding the 2024 NVFC Fall Meeting in Kansas City. President Jennings and I were on a Zoom call Monday morning November 1 with NVFC Engagement Manager Meg Goldberg and their primary event coordinator for all things NVFC. They have contracted with the Kansas City Marriott Downtown to host this 3-day meeting the last week in September 2024.

While this is still a long way out, it is how NVFC manages its fall meetings. COVID did the same to them as it did for our annual onsite conventions in rolling things back two years, but everything up to KCMO was planned at that time. Jackson, WY was just completed. Next is Wilmington, NC in 2022, Cooperstown, NY in 2023, and Kansas City, MO in 2024. 

The Conference Committee just recommended Rapid City, SD for 2025. Normally the State Association requests being the meeting host, but NVFC planned this meeting to determine if a central location having a major airport in a region offering a lot to do but at minimal expense for all services would be appealing, and KCMO was selected. To be clear, NVFC is not requesting assistance but how can we not offer to help to some extent. Continue Reading →

New Employee – Mapaville Fire Protection District

From Around The State, News

The Mapaville Fire Protection District is pleased to announce the hiring of a new employee. Deputy Chief Smokey Bear has been added to the staff and will be the Division Chief in charge of the Forest Fire Prevention Task Force. Chief Smokey has come to us with a long successful resume of educating youth and adults on fire safety and prevention. His permanent posting will be on the bluff side of the Eastbound lane of State Rd. Highway A adjacent to the Mapaville Fire Protection District’s fire station near the intersection of State Rd. Highway Z.

Chief Smokey was funded by the Mapaville Fire Association. The purchase was coordinated through the Missouri Department of Conservation. The Association is a separate organization that supports the District’s fire prevention and public education efforts. Reflective, high visible Street Address signs are available at the Mapaville Fire Station, 3687 Plass Rd., for purchase.

Sunrise Beach – Up and Over Drill

From Around The State, News

Sunrise Beach Fire Protection District personnel perform an up-and-over drill as part of their minimum company skills that members do at a minimum, once a year. Members utilize a roof ladder to access the first deck. Once on that deck, they pull the ladder up to them and use it again to access the roof. After they get on the roof, they again use the roof ladder to climb the roof to the ridge. Then at the ridge, they go down the reverse way back to the ground.

Captain Rick Johnson Retires

Joe Jennings, News

Johnson County Fire Protection District (JCFPD) Station 4 Captain Rick Johnson is hanging up his turnout gear for the final time this week after serving the District for 40 years. Captain Johnson began his service to the District in 1981 and worked his way through the ranks into his current position of Captain in the District’s Station 4 which is located just outside of Knob Noster. 

“Captain Johnson has had a great influence on numerous members of the fire service throughout his career and has always been a staunch advocate for public service,” said District Fire Chief Larry Jennings. “The District appreciates his dedication serving our organization and community over the past four decades.” 

Captain Johnson’s final day with the District is Thursday, September 30, 2021. He will be officially recognized for his service following the December meeting of the JCFPD Board of Directors.

District 2 Update – November 2021

Greg Wright, News

As fall is upon us, furnaces are cranking up. Several fire departments in our area have already responded to house fires. Make sure to check your heating systems regularly.

The Missouri Fallen Firefighter weekend was in Kingdom City in October. A large crowd attended. I wish to thank all the folks for their hard work in making that weekend very special for those families that were honored. The museum was open, and folks got to go inside for the first time. Hopefully, we can continue to move forward in making this project a reality. The pavilion on the grounds is now open as the tables are there. Stop by and take a few minutes, bring your lunch, and enjoy the facility. It was built in memory of Art “Shorty” Smith.

The fire and EMS funeral teams had their conference October 22-23 in Osage Beach. Supporting Heroes were there to train individuals on the “behind the scenes” of setting up visitations, funerals, and helping families prepare. The banquet was held Saturday night with Ms. Juliann Ashcraft as the keynote speaker. Ms. Ashcraft is the widow of Andrew Ashcraft, one of the 19 firefighters that lost their lives in a wildfire in Prescott, Arizona, on June 30, 2013. Some of the fireteams that went to Prescott, Juliann got to meet. I would like to thank Don and Hariett as they shared pictures with Juliann of that time. Juliann cherished those pictures. Thanks again. The banquet attendance was the largest to date. We wish to thank all the fire and EMS funeral team members that attended.

Next year’s conference will be the 10th annual, and it will be the biggest conference to date. It will be held October 14-16, 2022, at the Camden on the Lake Resort in Lake Ozark, Missouri. Several different training will be held including the return of the National Honor Guard Academy from Seminole, Florida. On Sunday morning closing out conference will be national known speaker Mr. Barry Young. All are welcome as more information will be coming out after the first of the year. Till next time be safe and have a great holiday season.

Auxiliary Meeting Minutes – November 2021

Auxiliary

Meeting called to order by President Jessica Weisz at 9:01 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT

Jessica Weisz, Noreborne FPD; Theresa Cox, Wentzville FPD; Sharon Berendzen, Cole County FPD; Carrisa Thompson, Holts Summit FPD; Joni Fields, Paris Rural FPD; Missy Erdel, Little Dixie FPD. Via zoom: Diane Wynn, Galt Fire Department; Christina Loyd, Little Dixie FPD; Kim Peffemann, Washington FPD. 

Minutes

Jessica asked if everyone had reviewed the August meeting minutes and if there were any corrections, addition, or discussions about them. Theresa made a motion to accept the August minutes, seconded by Sheri, motion passed. Continue Reading →

Johnson County Represented in MO State Fair FD

News, Sara Lawson

Annually, firefighters from Johnson County join firefighters from across the state to volunteer their time at the Missouri State Fair. 

Two first-time fair firefighters from Johnson County were awarded EMS Personnel of the Year for 2021. Firefighter Emma Smith, Johnson County Fire Protection District – Station 10, and Firefighter Kylie Frerking, Warrensburg Fire Department – Station 2, were co-recipients of the award for their work as EMTs during the fair.  Continue Reading →

District 3 Update – November 2021

Josh Loyd, News

Let me introduce myself to those who may not know me. My name is Josh Loyd, your new District 3 Assistant Director. To tell you a little about myself, I was born and raised in Mexico, Missouri. I started my career in the fire service in April of 2001 as a cadet with Little Dixie Fire Protection District. At that moment, I knew the fire service was where I was supposed to be. I found a passion I never knew existed, and this passion led me to graduate from high school and become a firefighter/paramedic. I have never been one to let another pave my path, but putting in the work and having others guide you is an unbelievable feeling.

We have been fortunate to have excellent leaders lay the groundwork for us to build on. For me, those leaders started with my parents, my cadet coordinators, officers in our department, teachers, my father-in-law, who is also in the fire service, and my wife. Everyone was being watched. I wanted to make an impact in the fire service and felt I could help myself help others by joining such a wonderful thing as the fire service.

As I got older, I wanted to make an impact on myself, but I started to figure out I could not do everything myself. I paid attention to new people in the service, asking them questions about what they wished they had when they started. Or what is one thing they wish they could pass on to another new person? My focus grew to improve what the fire service was doing for new members. I quickly discovered that most were not looking for a monetary kickback or were not here for the lights and sirens ride. They also wanted to make a difference but didn’t know where or how to start. I heard things like, “I feel like everyone thinks I should know these things because I’m now a firefighter,” or “how am I ever supposed to know where everything is on the truck? I just walked through the door and was given gear and a pager.” Continue Reading →