Mike Kelley: OSFA Executive Director’s Report Wow, what a whirlwind start to
2022! I would first like to thank the amazing staff at the OSFA for all of their hard work. They’re rock stars! Ret. OKC FD If you haven’t visited our website in a while, please check it out at www.osfa.info. There you will find information about upcoming events and resources. Just since the first of the year, we have assisted with the Chief’s Winter Workshop, held a virtual Volunteer Caucus, had a successful Legislative Reception and assisted with the 100th Annual Chief’s Conference. We are preparing for the upcoming State Fire School and the ORFA and OSFA annual conventions. Please make plans to attend these valuable events! The State Fire School will once again be held in Tulsa May 12-15 and is free to all OSFA members. The OSFA Convention will be held in Enid June 8-11, and the registration and credentialing will be online. OSFA President Cliff Davidson and his convention committee have been working hard to provide a great event!
Do you realize that you own a museum? What about an amazing Memorial where our brothers and sisters who have served as members for 20 years or given the ultimate sacrifice are honored? Both of these are located at 2716 NE 50th St. in Oklahoma City, and they belong to you. If you’ve never visited, I highly recommend that you come check them out. A portion of your dues support the maintenance of each. You can further support them by applying for and maintaining an Oklahoma Firefighter’s Special license plate for each of your vehicles. The application form for Firefighter License Plates is on the OSFA website (under Resources). Am I the only one who sometimes wonders if our world has completely gone mad? I can’t remember a time in history where people were so quick to take offense toward others. I will acknowledge that pandemics and
politics have exacerbated this divide however it is pervasive in all aspects of society including families. Family -- the mere mention of the word elicits many different thoughts and emotions. It’s often said that blood is thicker than water which is obviously a true statement. And it is also an analogy meaning family bonds are the strongest. Admittedly, we have all seen instances where that was true and others that left us wondering. I was fortunate to be able to join a family in 1986 where I truly felt like a part of something special. I’ve seen the family dynamics ebb and flow as is the case in any family. However, my experience has always been that this family -- the Oklahoma Fire Service -- has a bond like no other. We often spend more time together than we do our own families. We eat together, train together, respond together, sacrifice together, laugh, cry, and even sometimes die together. And as strong as that bond can be, am I the only one who feels like we’ve left the station door open a little too long and allowed all of the strife, pain, hard feelings, bruised and brokenness seep into our ranks? Where now, it seems easier to be upset with someone rather than embrace them as they are and acknowledge them as your brother or sister. Maybe I’m on an island, out of touch, or I’m the one who has gone totally mad. All are a distinct possibility! I would however offer this challenge: Instead of being so quick to find fault or find offense with your brother or sister, stop and realize that we are all firefighters or once were! Start with we are firefighters first and always! All firefighters sacrifice a lot to fulfill the calling and passion that drives us all and makes us unique. I challenge each of you to do your part and support one another. Strive to improve yourself, crew, station, department and associations. Our organization, your OSFA, serves all firefighters throughout the state and that wouldn’t be possible without each of you! Thanks for your support and May God Bless you and yours! Stay safe Brothers and Sisters.
PURCHASE AN OKLAHOMA FIREFIGHTER LICENSE TAG! • Oklahoma Firefighter tags cost $40 a year (on top of regular tag fees) • $20 goes directly to the Oklahoma Firefighters Museum/Memorial • Tags can be purchased from local tag agents any time during the year • Tags can be customized to 6 letters as approved by the Tax Commission
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