Association Looking Forward
My article is going to be a history and explanation of reason for understanding where the South Dakota Firefighters Association is at today.
The SDFA Board met in January for the quarterly meeting. One of the main topics continued from our fall meeting was an association management agency. The agency would assist with the continual outside duties that the board members, secretary and treasurer try to accomplish in their spare time. We had considered this a few years ago, and even received the advice and recommendation of our membership software program we now use, but did not find it feasible, at the time.
The original mission of the SDFA, since 1884, was for providing a statewide training opportunity for the firefighters of South Dakota. It was referred to as the Firefighter Convention. In the early 1900s, the SDFA was established in codified law for this purpose. Then in 1930, it was changed from a convention to State Fire School.
The State Fire School was held each year at a different location around the state and hosted by communities and fire departments. The challenges of planning for a different location each year led the SDFA to establish a long term location. Utilizing the communities with technical colleges and facilities built for adult learning, in 2017, State Fire School entered into a new era.
The multi-year agreements have made for easier planning for courses, local availability, and increased community business involvement for the firefighter attendees.
Over the recent years, the SDFA has become more involved in requests for informational input, fact-finding, and opinion on more and more fire service and public safety issues from a local, state and national level. The expansion of SDFA duty to the roughly 8500 firefighters in the state, of which, about 8000 are volunteers, has been understood in increasing importance for the continued success and viability of the fire and rescue service across our state.
The SDFA has a Governor appointed representative serving on the Public Safety Communications Council. Associate representation for training on public utilities and pipeline safety. We are called upon and referred to on legislative issues that may have a direct and indirect effect on what we do and need to know.
We have two State Directors to the National Volunteer Fire Council which is one of the major advocates for the volunteer and combination fire services at a national level. Providing volunteer representation on National Fire Protect Association (NFPA) committees and Federal legislation advocacy.
There are an estimated 1.1 million firefighters in the United States. Almost 700,000 are volunteers. And roughly 70 percent of those are from communities of less than 5000 in population. Of the 29,500 fire departments in the US, 82 percent are volunteer. South Dakota is 77,121 square miles. Roughly 77,000 is covered by volunteer responders.
Do I think the SDFA is important to the firefighters of South Dakota?
It is more important and valuable then most of us realize. We represent more than the 6000 members of the SDFA. We are much more than State Fire School. We are all volunteer directors. On several occasions while representing the association at meetings or legislative committees, I explain that I am there in a volunteer capacity, and my SDFA position is not my fulltime job and occupation.
This is a majority of the decision for hiring Advanced Association Management (AAM) to assist us. AAM assists various associations in several states, but administers for the fire service associations in Nebraska, Iowa, Georgia, and Kansas.
Their office will handle our membership system, finances, assist with state fire school instructor contracts, marketing, and online and on-site registration. They will assist with District school online registration assistance. And help solve or direct your questions to the appropriate SDFA board member. We will have more about them as we continue the transition over the next few weeks.
The SDFA Board of Directors will still be the decision making body for the association, and provide representation at District, State and National levels.
The fire service has changed and continues to adapt to constant evolution of what is expected from us, and the challenges we have accepted as important to take. We are looking at that challenge, as well.
District Fire Schools are coming soon. And State Fire School will be here before you know it. Look forward to seeing you 11-13 June in Watertown.
Show your fire service appreciation to your special someone and family this Valentine’s Day.
Stay Safe,
Charlie Kludt
SDFA President