State Fire School June 10 and 11 in Fort Pierre

   Officially it is now spring. That means warmer weather, flowers, gentle day long soaking rains, and an outlook for a beautiful summer. Ok, I’m trying to be optimist and after what has seemed like a pretty long and cold winter, spring is more than welcome. Let’s all hope this happens. 

   In this month’s paper there is information on revising the constitution of the SD Firefighters Assn, Inc. Take a few minutes, read the current version and the proposed version. The overall basic concept has not changed, it was well overdue for us to update and revise it. This same info will be on our website. 

   Speaking of changes, the Board for many years has used two different computer programs to maintain our membership rosters, and our event registration. The membership program is what generates the membership dues letter, and the mailing list for the monthly newspaper. The event program is used for registration for State Fire School, Instructors Conference, Fire Chief’s Conference. We are working with one company that can provide these same services and more. It’s quite a process and a million thanks to Rick Gustad for taking on this huge challenge. The Boards plan is to have the new software fully implemented by summer. We’re on schedule and so far, looking good. It will allow us to keep you better informed of events and save the Association budget dollars. More in the coming months. 

   The legislative session has concluded and, the fire and EMS services faired very well. Veto day is late March and so we’ll wait and see for the final outcome. A thanks to Steve Willard and Maynard Konechne for all their work they do during session. We all know that the real work is done in the lobby and hallways in talking with the legislators. Several times a number of firefighters and EMS personnel went to Pierre on various bills. Thank you to each of them for taking the time, it’s never easy. 

   In February, I was honored to be invited to the Deadwood Fire Department’s annual recognition and awards banquet. Pam and I have attended these before and it is always a great time to hear a few “stories”, visit with friends, and enjoy some pretty darn tasty food. The Deadwood FD has an award for a business or property owner that installed a fire sprinkler system. This year the award was presented to a landlord who had a fire in a rental unit and the residents were able to escape because of the fire sprinkler system. WOW, what a success story. One that we need to share more often. Just a small comment. This year in the legislature there was a bill introduced SB 90 to restrict the installation of residential fire sprinkler systems. At this time, it is headed to the Governor for her signature or veto. 

   Final thought. Plan to register for State Fire School June 10 and 11 in Fort Pierre. Registration should be open April 1 (not an April Fools Joke). Make sure you check out the registration cost. It just might tip you over.

   With all this going on, I’ll close for now. Stay safe and be kind.

Denny Gorton,

SDFA Past President

 

 

 

Blaze Publications, Inc.

Jeff Gargano - Editor
P.O. Box 122
Humboldt, IA 50548
jeff@blazepublicationsinc.com

News and Advertising: News and advertising deadlines are the 15th of each month for the next month's issue.

 

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