Weather is changing
It’s that time of year when the long, hot days of summer are giving way to cooler, shorter days of fall. It may still be “summer” by the calendar, but the weather is changing. It also is that time of year when so many of us, ok I mean me, realize how many more summer projects are left unfinished. I have a plan, however. I can tell myself, and hopefully convince Pam, that I couldn’t finish all these projects because the days were shorter and cooler. Weather just wasn’t quite right. Oh darn.
Every firefighter’s heart is heavy with the death of Cavour Fire Chief Josh Kogel. We all wish Chief Kogel’s family our heartfelt sympathies and our thoughts are with the fraternal family of firefighters as well. This has been a long few weeks. The Wood VFD lost Ty Dimond in a vehicle incident. Again, all the firefighters hearts in the State are heavy with this loss too.
As we are dealing with these tragic losses, we also are observing the horrific loss of civilians, law enforcement, firefighters, and all others on September 11, 2001. CBS had a special 60 Minutes the other night. It was not just a replay of the events but of how it affected the lives of some involved. It makes you stop and realize that we each face a similar situation each time the “bell” rings. We never know what lies ahead, we go forward and know we have a job to do.
The South Dakota Fallen Firefighters Memorial is small but a so important part of keeping the Never Forget going and honoring those who have gone before us. We invite everyone to come and pay our respects to these firefighters. Sadly, many do not join us.
Fire Prevention week is October 8–14. Cooking safety starts with YOU. Seems simply enough. If your department does anything for fire prevention week, please take a few good quality pictures and send them to me, with a short explanation of what you’re doing. I want to publish them in the November issue of the SD Firefighters News. Just email away, the address is in the paper each month, left side of the left page. Please share.
Now for something from your treasurer. It’s almost that time of year when I’ll be mailing out the 2024 membership dues. My plan is having it in the mail in mid-November. Please keep an eye out for the invoice, and other items. It is so important to support your Firefighters Association. As usual there will be roster, invoice, reasons to support the SDFA. You can either pay by check or you can pay online. Either way it is easy.
I believe I have rambled on long enough this month. So, with that I hope I saw, or will see, lots of you at the Fall Conference and Fallen Firefighters Service.
Take care of each fellow firefighter and may God wrap his arms around each of you.
Denny Gorton,
SDFA Treasurer