From Your 1st Vice President
I have been to Des Moines a handful of times for the Junior Firefighter bill. I was present when the bill passed and was there when it was signed which was neat. I hoped we could have held the bill signing here in Fredericksburg, IA, to thank the Fredericksburg Fire Department especially Jimmy Mitchell and Ray Armbrecht as well as Sumner-Fredericksburg Superintendent Ryan Cunningham. Also want to add William Tuthill who is a teacher in the Anamosa school district. They have really been great supporters of this bill and will continue to guide its future. They were instrumental in getting this bill started, but we are happy it was signed. Now we will continue moving forward and hope to offer a class this fall. Stay tuned for further details as we move forward, address many questions and work together as a team to see this plan unfold for all the future firefighters in Iowa. Thank you again to all who helped with this bill and showed support to benefit Iowa Firefighters.
I went out to Washington, DC, with Kent for a few days. It involved a lot of walking, sightseeing, a day at the Capitol for advocacy, and two days of NVFC meetings and the NVFC banquet. We had great conversations and meetings with Joni Ernst, Ashley Hinson and Chuck Grassley. We did not get to visit with Zach Nunn but spoke with his associate. It was a great week out there, and I will have follow-up conversations from these gatherings.
I have been talking with Ed and Manchester Fire, the convention planning committee and the board for convention 2026. Discussions have included the electrical boxes, old electrical wire and other electrical components. Be sure to sign up for convention 2026, it will be another great year.
I attended the funeral service for Liz Shurtlefff of Plainfield. I also attended the graveside service for Kerry Kleve of Ft. Atkinson Fire Department.
I would also just like to share that when the IFA is able to attend, I have heard from many families how thoughtful and meaningful this is that we are or were able to be there at a funeral or burial. It means a lot to the family even if we did not know them personally. When stories are shared, we sometimes find out that we did know the firefighter or seeing pictures of them we realize we have talked to them before at water ball, convention, mid-year or another fire function. The brotherhood and sisterhood within the fire family is a great thing.
I also want to mention a team effort to find a bagpipe player for a gravesite service. I made a couple of phone calls to the IFA board, the Chickasaw County Honor Guard, the Delaware County Honor Guard, and the Buchanan County Honor Guard. Within a couple of hours, we had a bagpiper from Manchester willing to travel and play at the service. The family was so grateful he was able to be there. Again, thank you to all who helped make this possible.
Thank you to Hills Fire Department for the use of the station for the IFA board meeting on Saturday. Special thanks to Kathy for being there and for calling in the technology support to help get our Zoom hooked up. We always welcome attendees via zoom if you are unable to be in person. It’s great to have input, thoughts and or concerns from our membership. Feel free to follow the IFA website and Facebook to stay up to date for upcoming meetings with locations, date and times.
Then in June was the annual Firefighters Memorial in Coralville. A privilege to be part of the candlelight service and the annual memorial service on Sunday. Saturday evening, we had some rain come through during the candlelight ceremony. Sunday was another year of great attendance and was a beautiful day to honor those who we have lost. Thank you to Mike and Joan, all the committee members and all who come to help make the day possible. Also, the many hands on-site from the Coralville Fire Department helped with setting up and tearing down all the tents, chairs and miscellaneous tasks. Fundraising efforts continue as the wall expansion is looking to start construction following the memorial.
As we look ahead plan to mark your calendars for 2026 Convention in Manchester, keep up to date for their schedule and plan to attend the IFA board meeting on Saturday, Sept. 12.