Enjoy the season

     The Thanksgiving feast is now in your rearview mirror. We can stop, relax, and say to ourselves, “I’m never going to eat that much turkey again.” Ok, we know that won’t happen. I hope you had a great few days to enjoy with family, friends, and others. The Christmas season is here and once again we need to stop and reflect on what this season is about. It doesn’t matter what your religious beliefs are, take the time to count your blessings for all we have.

     Over the next several months, Jay Esperance will be sharing some of his wisdom and thoughts on the fire service, fires, leadership and even life. I’m excited to hear from Jay, he has years of experience and as the Director of State Wildland Fire we all just might learn something from his insight. Thank you, Jay, for taking the time.

     Your department should have received their 2022 SD Firefighters Assn. invoice, letter from President Kludt, roster, AD&D insurance form and a brochure on the benefits of having a 100% Department Membership. Supporting the SD Firefighters Association is so important. Not just to us, but to the entire fire service of South Dakota. In past years I have tried to list or explain why it’s important for your support. I will do that again, but here is one very big reason.

     This past legislative year the Fire Service was able to get passed, with great support from a bunch of legislators, very long range and needed bills. The Mental Stress Program that came about from a summer study last year is huge. The increase in State support to the SD Firefighters Assn. made that program possible. There were other bills introduced and it raised the awareness level for all legislators on the fire service and what we really do. The Governor’s office has reached out to us and said, “What does the fire service need?” President Kludt has met with the Department of Public Safety and presented them with a number of points that we feel are important. This back-and-forth conversation is earth shaking. We have never had this support that I recall. Your support of the SD Firefighters Assn. in the paying your membership dues, helped to make it happen. I am sure President Kludt will have more either in this paper or next months.

     The Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance: Better known as AD&D coverage for your firefighters: When your department is a 100% Member then all your rostered firefighters are entitled to the following benefits:

     • Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance that pays up to $10,000 and covers firefighters 24 hrs./day. This AD&D policy provides coverage in the tragic event of any, ANY, type of accidental death or dismemberment. The accident does not have to be fire related. It could be car accident, driving to or from work, even the loss of fingers, hands, sight, hearing, and others. In addition to the basic $10k, the firefighter is eligible to purchase up to $250,000 additional AD&D through Fischer Rounds Insurance.

     • Accident & Health (A&H) no this is not health insurance, but AD&D does not cover a firefighter if they have a heart attack, stroke, or some other health related issue on a fire or during a fire related event. This policy will. It also helps when firefighters need assistance while dealing with a tough call or just life in general. It can provide up to $10,000 for fire related health incidents.

     Sadly, this year we had several claims for the Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) portion. There are firefighter families that have received the $10,000 death benefit and some that have received benefits from the Dismemberment portion. It would be a positive if we never had to pay a claim, but we all know this is not realistic. So, when your department discusses whether or not to pay the 100% Membership dues and someone feels it is not worth it, there are others out there who just might have an answer for you.

     South Dakota Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service: Every fall your Association conducts the Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. This service is to pay our respects to those firefighters whose lives were ripped away from them and their families. There are 47 names currently on the memorial. We did not add any names to the memorial this past year. We can thank the Lord and every firefighter for being careful. There cannot be a better way for all firefighters in South Dakota to pay their respects than by attending this memorial service. Next year, it will be held at the Capitol Lake or in the Capitol Rotunda in Pierre, on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, at 2 PM CT.

     This month’s thoughts are getting long, and I do not want to bore you, so I’ll close and make one short appeal again asking your department to support the fire service of South Dakota with your 100% Membership.

     Enjoy Christmas, take time to let your family know how important they all are, thank those who have helped get you to where you are.

Denny Gorton,

SDFFA Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blaze Publications, Inc.

Jeff Gargano - Editor
P.O. Box 122
Humboldt, IA 50548
jeff@blazepublicationsinc.com

News and Advertising: News and advertising deadlines are the 15th of each month for the next month's issue.

 

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