Thoughts From the Tailboard
It’s here. State Fire School is here. As you read this month’s South Dakota Firefighters newsletter it will be happening. Ok, I’ll admit the newsletter is generally out the first couple of days of the month, and fire school won’t be until the second weekend, but no matter. It’s here. What a time to share experiences with hundreds of other firefighters from around the state. Learn something new. Go and when you get home start doing something that you learned at fire school. Fire school has so much to offer, I certainly hope you take advantage of everything there is. Don’t miss this opportunity.
I had been fortunate to spend a few weeks in Florida in late April and early May. As I traveled around, I notice a number of the newer apartment buildings and commercial buildings have a red and white sign with the fire department Maltese cross with either a large red “R” or “F.” I understand it signifiés that either the roof or floor structure maybe unstable during a fire. I wonder if any fire departments in our state are using this? Just curious.
It’s June!!! Why is that important? What were you doing in June 1976? I know some of you will say, “I wasn’t even born.” For me it was the start of my 50 years in the fire service. A guy working for me, decided to form the North Hanes VFD. Volunteer firefighter? I could barely spell the name let alone know what firefighters do. I didn’t know an SCBA from anything else. None of the original members are still there, I’m the last one. None of us had any firefighting experience. We all learned together. When I’m working with a new firefighter I try to remember that all those years ago I didn’t know any of this either. But we learned slowly, bit by bit. Too many times, I see instructors who forget at one point in their life, they didn’t know anything about firefighting when they started. We all need to have some patience sometimes and step back and remember. I wouldn’t trade the past 50 years of involvement in the fire service for anything. If you are a 50+ year firefighter, please drop me an email and just say “I’m one”. My email is dgortonfire@gmail.com
I have been on the SD Firefighters Association Board for over 30 years. I know what you’re thinking. He should have left a long time ago. I tried; believe me I tried. After our Treasurer Paul Smith passed away suddenly in 2014 I took over those duties. Charlie Kludt became President. The SDFA Board has contracted with Advanced Association Management (AAM) to manage the coordination of instructors and many other duties. One of those is the treasurer’s position. So just to let everyone know, after this year’s fire school, it will be my last one as a board member. I will miss it a whole lot no question. I will miss the interaction, the stress of getting fire school ready and who knows what else. However, for the first time in 30 years, I will have time to actually take a class. Yep, I’m signed up for one. I’ll be working with Taylor and their staff from AAM to take over these duties. I won’t abandon anyone. If you have a question, call. If you send me something I’ll get it to the correct people. I have too much love for the fire service of South Dakota and you to simply go away. As they say it is bittersweet. I have cherished your friendship, your support of the SD Firefighters Association, the Lifetime Membership in the South Dakota Firefighters Association, working with our great instructors, Jeff from the newsletter and everything else. I’ll still continue to write Thoughts From the Tailboard, just from a slightly different angle.
With all this I’ll sign off for this month. Remember learn something new each day and pass it on.
Denny Gorton, SDFA Treasurer