New Year Thoughts
It’s that time of year when we all make resolutions to be a better person. Not me, I try to make a resolution to simply remember to make a resolution. Why is it that as we become more of a senior citizen, we remember less and less. I saw a saying the other day, that said, “I remembered what I came into a room for, it was the bathroom, but that counts.” I certainly can relate to that.
The first important part I want to say is, thank you to every department that has sent in their 2024 membership dues. I have been overwhelmed with them. I am always amazed at how the fire departments in South Dakota support their Firefighters Association. Some I know are small departments with limited budgets, but by-golly their check is there, others with more firefighters, their support is there too.
It’s never too late to send in your dues. Remember that your firefighters get the full benefits when your department is a 100% Member. It is sad to say that each year there are firefighters who have lost their lives in some form of accident. Each year the SD Firefighters Assn. and Provident Insurance help in a small way with benefits paid to the family. It’s a small cost to your department, but the feeling you get far outweighs any cost.
The $5 Million Dollar PPE grant is going full speed ahead. I’m sure your department received a letter notifying it of how much they will receive. That of course is assuming you applied. No matter how much you receive it’s more than you had a month or two ago. Every department hoped to get every dollar they applied for, but that was not simply going to happen. With $5,000,000 available and requests for over $15,000,000 it’s pretty simply math. Please remember to thank your local state senators and representatives for their support.
Speaking of legislation, the 2024 Legislative session will be going very soon. One bill that we will be working on is a “presumptive cancer” bill. Firefighters know that they are more prone to various types of cancer than the general public. My understanding is the bill will be addressing that firefighters should be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits if they develop cancer. Stay tuned as this is very important for all of us.
The Firefighters Board will be meeting in mid-January to make plans for State Fire School, continue to develop usage of the two mobile live fire training trailers, and a number of other subjects.
Over the past year I have been talking about a new secretary and treasurer. The secretary position is moving forward just great. Samara is jumping in and taking on the duties. Over the next months you will be seeing more and more emails, correspondence and other from Samara.
The 2024 High School Scholarship should be open for applications now. There is a link on our website, and you can download it, fill out the required information. Remember, it is so very important to include ALL the items listed. Each year there are a couple of applicants that don’t include some part. Without all the info, it is simply disqualified.
With all this I’ll close for this month. Take care and take care of your fellow firefighters.
Denny Gorton,
SDFA Treasurer