Be vocal

   Greetings Fellow Firefighters - I hope you all have had a great holiday season. The time spent with family and friends is truly a blessing. In December I had the honor of presenting a 50 years of service award. It was special for me having it be a local person. Robert Winter with the New Providence Fire Department was very deserving of this recognition. He has given 50 years of his life to the fire service and has become a role model for all. Thank you, Robert!

   As we approach the start of the legislative session, I would like to remind everyone to be vocal. We as a board can only do so much. It is extremely important that all make your voices heard. Not just with the board but to your local representatives and state officials. Figure out who your local representatives are and reach out to them. We have a large number of members and the more voices heard the better. We will be putting our legislative agenda out there for you to see. If there is anything you would like to see us add, just let us know. 

   With the legislative session comes our annual Firefighter Day on the Hill. Come join us on Jan. 29th for this event. There are always great conversations with legislators and even good food. If you think you make the best chili, here is your chance for some friendly competition. During the Firefighter Day on the Hill we have a chili cookoff to feed the legislatures and everyone that attends. Hope to see some of you that day.

   The board and the convention committee are diligently working on making Convention 2025 an event to remember. We will be getting more information out starting soon. Please keep an eye for updates on the Convention Website. These updates will be posted on our facebook page.

   Thank you to the convention committee for all your hard work!

   I would like to note the events for January.

   - Jan. 5th. IFA Board meeting at Eldora Fire Station at 9 a.m.

   - Jan. 13th. Start of the legislative session.

   - January 25-26. 100th Annual State Fire School, Prairie Meadows in Altoona.

   - January 29th. Firefighter Day on the Hill/Chili cookoff at the state capitol building.

   Respectfully,

Aaron Clemons

IFA President