March is over…Thank Goodness
Even groundhogs don’t want to try to predict weather in South Dakota.
We should be done with blizzards. Now it should just be wind, rain, thunderstorms, and tornadoes from now until Thanksgiving…maybe.
SDFA board met in March for spring meeting. I use the term spring lightly.
We finalized Fire School registration, started preparing the 2026 budget, Retired Firefighter license plates, discussed legislative session from 2025 session and possible 2026 issues, OSHA-NFPA status, Federal grant funds status, State Grant status, hosting NVFC Fall Conference at Rapid City, and the SD Fall Fire Conference at Spearfish in September, and general membership topics for the June Membership meeting.
Other items coming of interest include the changeover of incident reporting systems to the NERIS (National Emergency Response Information System). FEMA will be starting national rollout of the system to departments starting in May. Each of the various FEMA Regions are designated a start month. South Dakota is slated for November 2025.
You can go to the NERIS website https://www.usfa.
fema.gov/nfirs/neris/ for an introduction to the system and what your department can do to be ready.
The State has received some free XTL5000 mobile radios that are P25 capable. Contact state radio in Pierre for details on acquiring.
There are several District Fire schools taking place around the state. Check the SDFA website Events link to see where, when, and what there is to offer. I will have a session open to firefighters and the general public at Central District in Wessington Springs on April 12th. It is an introduction to the NVFC’s Wildland Fire Assessment Program (WFAP). Wildfires aren’t just in forests and mountains.
This program session will be geared toward farm and rangeland and home property protection. What can owners do to help defend their property, or, their property to defend itself? With the size of some of the wildfires we’ve had across the state the past few months, we thought it would be a good introduction while it is fresh in people’s minds.
Speaking of NVFC, check their website for the various free training, grants and giveaways. If you don’t have anyone on your department as a member, I always recommend at least the officers. Stay up-to date on Federal issues and what is happening around the country in the fire service.
The Lenten and Easter season is upon us. Growing up, I always enjoyed our family traditions. The seriousness of the Good Friday program. The inspiration of Easter Sunday morning church service. My mom was the church organist and played with a little more volume and got the congregation to sing extra loud. Or maybe it was to cover up my brothers’ and me singing. Either way, it was enjoyable to me.
Gathering at a relative’s house for noon dinner. (Yes, dinner is at noon; supper is evening) And making everyone a colored Easter egg with their name for each placemat at the table. Usually, a walk or something fun in the yard with cousins. Playing REAL lawn darts, or Frisbee and softball catch.
Whatever your Easter memories or traditions are, I hope you can continue to enjoy them, or start a next generation together. He has Risen, indeed.
Have an enjoyable Easter. Stay safe,
Charlie Kludt,
SDFA President