Going digital

   Well, here it is, summer is winding down, we are heading full speed ahead to fall. Me, I like the fall weather. Cool in the mornings, might have to have a jacket on, by midday, short sleeve shirts, shorts and then come evening, back to a jacket. I don’t like that the days are getting shorter and shorter. As I write this month’s article, I have only one of the big projects I had planned for summer left.

   On a sad note, last month in the SD Firefighter newspaper there were six firefighters that passed away. My thoughts are with those families. It is sad when six firefighters are no longer with us, we have lost good firefighters who combined had over 120 years of experience. That’s experience that is nearly impossible to replace. Hopefully the younger firefighters will be stepping up. Rest in peace my fellow firefighters. 

   Remember, the SD Firefighters Assn. Fall Conference. Details are in the paper, but please take some time and come join your fellow firefighters. Share a laugh. Share a story. Share your thoughts. Share a complaint. Share a beverage. Share the camaraderie. Share learning something new. Share honoring those who gave their life for you. Share that we said, “we will never forget you”.  

   If you are familiar with the movie JAWS from a number of years ago, people were afraid to go into the water for fear of sharks. There was a saying, “just when you thought it was safe to go in the water”. That saying applies to needing to have a medical director sign off on your ambulance service who provides first responder service. Does this apply to the local fire department who does not transport? At this point no one knows and basically have been advised to just continue as you have been. What kind of direction is that from the State agency? Understand it’s early in this process, but still it’s one more hurdle placed upon those who volunteer their time and energy to serve their fellow citizens. Let’s make it more difficult to volunteer our time. 

   If you read President Kludt’s article last month he said that the monthly SD FIREFIGHTER newspaper will be coming to you via email. So please get those email addresses to Samara so she can update them, or better yet, you can set it up so you will have direct access to our Growth Zone membership program and keep all your department info current. Talk about a neat feature, that is one.

   Speaking from the treasurer’s position there will be changes coming there too. I know it’s early but start thinking about renewing your SD Firefighters Assn. membership for 2025. Some of that due’s invoice, roster, etc., most likely will be coming via an email also. So please check that spam, junk, whatever it’s called folder for these important pieces of information. 

   With that I’ll close for this month. Stay safe. 

Dennis Gorton,

SDFA Treasurer