MSFA Weekly Report for County Associations and Partners

Week ending 7.1.2022

PDF: MSFA Weekly Report week ending 7.1.22

The MSFA congratulates the newly elected 2022 MSFA Officers

President Ben Kurtz
1st Vice President Eric Smothers
2nd Vice President W. Newton “Skip” Carey, Jr.
Secretary Doyle Cox

2022 LAMSFA Officers

President Malea Daughton
Senior Vice President Jean Main
Junior Vice President Shari Steffen

We also congratulate the following individuals who begin their new terms:

Executive Committee:

Ron Block, Anne Arundel County
Theresa Collins; Howard/Carroll Counties
Doug Simpkins; Baltimore County
PP Roger Steger; Wicomico/Worchester/Somerset Counties
Stanley “Buddy” Sutton; Montgomery County
Timothy Dayton; Allegany/Garrett Counties
Randy Smith; Calvert/Charles/St. Mary’s Counties
Robert Phillips; Talbot/Dorchester Counties
Robbie Blackiston; Kent/Queen Anne’s/ Caroline Counties
Lee Lutz; Prince George’s County
Clarence “Chip” Jewell, Vice Chairman; Frederick/Washington Counties
PP Steve Cox, Chairman; Harford/Cecil Counties

Trustee
PP Terry Thompson
Chief Chaplain
Chaplain John F. Long, Jr.

We wish them all well in the coming year!

The MSFA would like to thank all of everyone who attended the 2022 Ocean City Convention
and Conference last week. We were excited to see you all there and hope that you enjoyed your
time at the beach as we did. There were over 125 vendors represented in the newly designed
exhibit halls and we received positive feedback regarding the new hours that included Sunday.
Our class instructors provided over 50 classes this year and we were excited to offer subjects
that are pertinent to today’s fire service. Our meetings and events were delivered flawlessly
under the direction of the Convention Committee and we congratulate them on a job well done!
We send heartfelt appreciation to Mayor Meehan and Ocean City for extending a warm
welcome to us. We appreciate their support and partnership every year!

We thank each member company that sent delegates to participate in the elections and
appreciate the patience and feedback regarding the process that was new to all of us, not only
with multiple candidates and amendment proposals, but in an in–person setting as well.

President Kurtz acknowledged the name–change vote and thanks each member company for
their opinion and vote on the matter. Although the vote did not favor a name change at this
time, President Kurtz looks forward to bringing the proposal back to the member departments
for further discussion throughout the next few months. With 41% of departments in favor of a
much – needed change, while keeping to the traditions of the MSFA, President Kurtz is hopeful
that these discussions will bring further positivity that the official name of the MSFA can and
will reflect the fire service diversity that we take pride in.

As we move into this new year, the MSFA looks forward to the release of the new Statewide
Mentorship Program and online customizable marketing materials that will be available to all
member companies through the SAFER grant. The regional coordinators are ready to assist any
member department that are looking for new ideas, guidance, or feedback on their recruitment
and retention efforts. Please reach out to SAFER Program Manager Heather Gorski at
hgorski@msfa.org with any questions.Finally, as mental health awareness for First Responders
continues to expand across many agencies, President Kurtz will push forward his campaign to
provide training classes and mental health awareness seminars to our member companies in an effort
to crush the stigma surrounding mental health in the fire service. Please contact Teresa Crisman at
tacrisman@hotmail.com to get more information regarding awareness training that can be
provided to your departments.