Legislative Assistance

   April showers bring May flowers. And the Mayflower brought pilgrims.

   The 2023 South Dakota legislative session came to a close in March. At the time of my writing, HB 1127 that had been introduced by Representative Kevin Jensen to develop a $5 million grant program for volunteer fire departments had passed the legislature, and had been delivered to Governor Noem for her decision. 

   The program intent will be to provide an opportunity of assistance to small volunteer departments to purchase personal protective equipment. The funding would need to be utilized by mid-2027.

   The SDFA will keep you posted on the progress of the program.

   State Fire School is 15-17 June in Watertown at Lake Area Technical College. We will have most classes at LATC with a few at offsite locations in town and at the Watertown FD training site.

   Registration will be open in April. Keep checking the SDFA website for class and registration updates. There will be a few classes that have a minimum and maximum size. 

   And back by popular demand, Fire Service for Kids. If you want to learn how to put on a public safety and recruitment program, bring the kids of all ages and come to the class.  

   If you have had a former or current department member that has passed away in the last year, we will be honoring them at the Memorial Service on Friday evening of State Fire School. We include all those that have been listed in the monthly newspaper and any others that are submitted. If you have had a current or former department member that you would like to include in the service, send their name, a photo (if possible), years of service to SDFA Board member Mark Stoks, NEDir@sdfirefighters.org, by 10 June.

   Any family or department members that would like to place the memorial flower at the service, we graciously encourage them to attend and be part of the service.

   We will be having an election for SDFA President and for proposed updates to the SDFA Membership By-laws. The by-laws updates are posted in the newspaper.

   Nomination committee members include three SDFA Board members and two at-large appointments from the membership. Denny Gorton, North Haines VFD, serves as chair, Ron Hines, Huron FD, Chad Baumgarten, Lemmon VFD, Kevin Schuelke, Milbank VFD, and Glenn Sealey, Colome VFD. Submit a letter of intent or an accepted nomination to any of the nominating committee members or your SDFA District Director.

   During Lenten season before Easter, many people would give up or quit something. Some folks try to give to others or charities and start a good habit.

   As we look forward to Easter, it seems fitting to end with a Bible verse I am sure we have seen as a display.

   Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13

   Have a Blessed Easter and stay safe,

Charlie Kludt,

SDFA President

 

 

 

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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