Slow and Steady

   First and foremost, on behalf of the SDFA Board of Directors, I wish to convey our condolences and continued prayers of healing for the family of Nicholas Van Dam and the Murdo Volunteer Fire Department. Nick was fatally injured in the line duty responding to a wildfire in July. 

My wife and I attend a small country church, and like any congregation, the variety of ages is from a few days old, to what seems like 138 years old. The personalities vary from extroverted and outgoing, to quiet and enjoying the surrounding conversations. In my mind, I began comparing and correlating congregations to the fire service. 

   We all have one person who was always in a hurry. When everyone was reading aloud, they ignored the commas and pauses everyone else was taking and were a couple counts ahead of everyone else. Kind of like the person who leaves the station with the first truck before there is crew. They want to get there first, but have to wait before they can do what’s next. 

   Then there’s the person who is two words behind. They are finishing the last two words when everyone is pausing and are saying, “Amen,” all by themselves. Kind of like a water tender truck. No hurry. Slow and steady. Still getting there and getting the job done. 

   When it’s over, we all shake hands, we’re glad you’re here, and go on our way.

   Our Fall Fire Conference speakers, Rodney Foster and Tom Merrill, will be emphasizing the importance of using everyone’s knowledge and abilities on a volunteer department and on scene. The importance of working together, keeping the goal of helping those in need, and going home safely when it is all over. 

   The Fall Conference will be at the Spearfish Holiday Inn Convention Center 10-12 October. Register for the conference under Events on the SDFA website. And we’ll be looking for a couple groups of 7-8 people per group to be part of a quick focus group for the SDSU Volunteer Fire Service Research project.

   The SDFA Board will hold the fall board meeting on 10 October in Spearfish prior to the start of the Fall Fire Conference. 

   The storms that have been ravaging the upper Great Plains have been a testimony to the volunteer spirit of helping those in time of need. For those areas that have been hit by some of the storms, I hope you were safe and will persevere as you keep moving forward with cleanup, repairs, and rebuilding.

   Schools are back in full swing and all the activities that go with it. 

   Have an enjoyable Labor Day weekend.

   Stay safe,

Charlie Kludt,

SDFA President