New Year, Something New or Knew?
Happy New Year to everyone.
It’s a new year. What did you learn in 2025?
Did you learn, train, or read about something that was new to you?
Did you attend a school or training that taught you something new about what you thought you already knew? A renew.
Did your department have an incident or close call that made you realize, “We need to know more...”
With every new innovation, there is an opportunity to learn something more. What seems like a good idea or improvement at the time, may or may not turn out to be an advancement in the right direction. Independent studies are usually more viable information than companies trying to sell goods and services.
The important issue is to keep learning.
The SDFA Board will be meeting in Mitchell on January 9th. Finalizing spring and summer fire schools and reviewing the schedule for use of the mobile burn trailers.
The increase in requests for informational input, representation and increased number of volunteered hours being put forth by board members has led us to consider assistance from an Association Management firm. The firm would maintain membership, finances, fire school marketing, registration and contracts, and various other duties that are currently being handled by board members, secretary and treasurer. Several state Firefighter Associations are utilizing the firm management services.
The legislative session will be starting in January. The SDFA does not have a particular bill for consideration at this time. We keep an eye out for items that may be of concern to the fire service as the session moves along.
The SDFA will be having an election for President at State Fire School in June. If you are interested or would like to submit a letter of intent to be a candidate, you may submit it to an SDFA district representative, nominating committee member, or secretary by 29 April 2026.
The SDFA will be appointing a new State Director to the National Volunteer Fire Council. The NVFC is the primary national voice for the volunteer fire service. Each state is allowed two (2) members on the NVFC Board of Directors.
The director position involves attending the NVFC bi-annual conferences in the spring and fall. Opportunities to serve on NVFC committees, NFPA committees, and other nationwide fire service related groups and studies are some of the aspects of serving the position. If you are interested, email or contact me with a letter of interest and any pertinent information that may make you a viable director.
In an effort to provide interested individuals to attend, the SDFA Board voted to allow a member of the SDFA membership to attend the NVFC conferences. This will allow for a succession plan for perspective future directors to become familiar the NVFC and what is involved.
If your department needs assistance with the new National Emergency Reporting Information System (NERIS) to document your run reports, contact the State Fire Marshal’s office in Pierre. The old reporting system will be shut down the end of January 2026.
Stay warm and stay safe,
Charlie Kludt
SDFA President