Looking ahead
State Fire School 2023 was outstanding!
On Behalf of the SDFA Board, Thank You to all that assisted, attended, sponsored, trained, socialized, and helped make it a success event.
Thank You for selecting me to another 3-year term as SDFA President. And to Ron Hines for running for the position, as well.
For the hundreds of you that attended each day, I hope you were able to take some new information home with you, meet new individuals from other departments, and refreshed your reason for being a volunteer firefighter.
The SDFA Board cannot express enough, their appreciation to all the staff and individuals from Lake Area Technical College, Watertown Fire, Visit Watertown, and local businesses that helped us in preparing and providing for the weekend.
Being our first time to Watertown for State Fire School, LATC and WFD told us from the get-go they would do what they could to help make it a great event. They offered and provided ideas and more assistance than we ever anticipated. We are looking forward to coming back next year, 13-15 June 2024.
With 530 registered, we had roughly 380 training attendees each day, and 40 exhibitors showcasing their products and information, and over 50 instructors passing along knowledge and giving us ideas for our departments.
We had good input and suggestions for the future and have already started the class list for 2024.
Congratulations to Lisa Koopman and Hunter Wilson on their scholarship awards. And to recognizing LeRoy Koopman and his family for the NVFC National Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mark your calendar for the Fall Fire Conference at the AmericInn Conference Center in Fort Pierre from 29 September to 1 October. Information will be out registration will be open later this summer.
Between now and then, the SDFA will be working on a 5-year plan for the association, the State Fire Grant process, ideas for the next legislative session, and, for his sake, training Denny’s replacement as secretary-treasurer.
We live in the greatest country in the world. As you celebrate our Independence Day, let’s all be sure to enjoy the freedoms and peace we have in our great state and country. And remember what our founding fathers based it upon, In God we trust.
Have an enjoyable July 4th weekend.
Stay Safe,
Charlie Kludt
SDFA President