41st Annual Fireman's Memorial Festival Book

Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival September 17-19, 2020

A Tribute To All Essential Workers MFMFC P.O. Box 672 290 Ballanger St Roscommon, MI 48653 Phone (989) 275-5880

Web-site: www. firemensmemorial.com

www.firemensmemorial.org

Thank You to ALL Firefighters!

You Rock!

A Message From President Ed Sedlacek Planning for the Memorial Festival this year, has been more than challenging. While many of our members came up with creative ideas for the Festival, Covid-19 and the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order did not let us to meet in away that we were accustom to. There were many phone calls, text, e-mails, and any other use of technology available from one member to another communicating ideas about the Festival.

have the Festival and if necessary have our guest observe “Social Distancing” , since the majority of the event is outdoors.

In an effort to create an Event that would better cater to Firefighters, members of MFMFC work hard to plan on more Fire related items for the Festival. We are planning some different ideas that will pertain to a different layout of Vendors.

It is often very hard to make

Making Festival Plans using Technology to Communicate The Members have been planning not knowing when the “Executive Order” will be lifted. We are hoping and praying that we will be able to have Our Festival. They have watch many other Festivals and Fairs be canceled, during the past six months, wondering if they should keep planning or not. We did cancel one of our major fundraiser, The $5000.00 Dinner/Dance Raffle because of the Coruna Virus and the Governor’s E.O. MFMFC Winter Storage also had to be delayed getting the Boats and Camping Trailers out of the Barns.

The uncertainty of many Vendors has created extra effort in trying to assign them their lots on the grounds. We are still moving forward with anticipation that we can

certain ideas happen. We have had ideas that include different scenarios that happen during a fire, but due to the risk of the harming spectators and demonstrators the ideas have been scratched.

We hope that you will enjoy the Events that we do have and encourage you to submit any ideas you may have that would improve the importance of the Festival to Firefighters.

I would like to thank you for your continued support even in these trying times. I hope all pf you stay safe and well.

I welcome any positive comments that you may have. I hope to meet you at the 41st Annual Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival.

Thank you!

Higgins Fire Association

All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast 7a.m. till gone

Sunday Morning Sept.17, 2017 At Higgins Township Fire Hall M-76 at Ballanger

Adults-$7 Children 5-10-$4 Under 5-Free

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About Our Cover MFMFC was looking for a cover idea that would recognize all of the people that are “Essential” during this pandemic of Covid -19. Sine it would be impossible to gather all “Essential Workers together” We decide to get a few of the Fire Departments that are a part of the Roscommon County Fire Association together as a Tribute to all. We also added pictures of Nurses and Doctors that were especially important part of “Flattening the Curve,” WE had so many people that should and would have been involved but could not because of timing and/or space.

Fire Departments represented in the collage on the cover are Beaver Creek F.D; Lyon Township F.D./EMS, Denton Township F.D./EMS, and Higgins Township F.D./EMS, which all met at the Memorial Statue site for pictures as a tribute. The photographer was Theresa Ekdom for Ausable Media Group.

The picture at the bottom left of the collage was sent in by the Nurses and Doctors of Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI. The essential people in the picture are: Peter Wolka, Lisa Davis, Allison Gozdor, and Amy Loman. While the picture on the lower right is at Munson Hospital in Grayling, MI. These essential workers are Nicole Brookes, Natalie Bohdan, Teri Brockman, Stephanie Wojtkwiak, and Mary Sopscack.

WE would like to send a Gigantic Shout Out to all who would to make life for other better. Some how, “Thank You” just does not seem like enough.

AuSAble Baking

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Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival 2020

2020 Parade Grand Marshals Scott and Dar Smith

The honor of Grand Marshal for this year’s Firemen’s Memorial Festival has been awarded to Scott and Dar Smith. Dar has lived in Roscommon all of her life. Scott was raised in Muskegon and moved to the area after meeting Dar. The Smiths have been married for 26 years. They are the proud parents of one child, their son Logan, who has also put in many years growing up and volunteering for the MFMFC. Dar is the Branch Manager of the North Central Area Credit Union in Roscommon and Scott is the Transport Manager for CF Fick & Son’s in Grayling.

They have been members of the Michigan Firemen’s

Memorial Festival Committee for 25 years. Dar has served on the board for many years as Secretary and is the current Treasurer for the tenth year in a row.

Scott has also served on the board as Vice President, 2nd Vice and Trustee through the years. They have both been incredibly involved and hands on in many areas. Scott has taken care of the Bar in the Big Red barn for many years, along with helping with the maintenance and upkeep around the grounds. Dar also sorted and distributed badges for many years.

Dar and Scott also play a big part in the $5000 Raffle Fundraiser Dinner the committee puts on each year in April. They like to stay busy and readily help wherever they are needed. In doing so they also know that no one can do it alone. It is a team effort with the committee and many volunteers. The Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival is a labor of love for them both.

In the Roscommon community, Dar has served on the Higgins Lake-Roscommon Chamber of Commerce board. Scott served the VFW Auxiliary, Roscommon Post.

Dar and Scott value their Families and Community as the most important things in their lives. Their favorite hobby is their love for camping and spending time and meeting with friends.

We are so grateful to honor Scott and Dar as the Grand Marshals of this year's Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival.

A Sincere Heartfelt Thank You On behalf of the Members of the Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival Committee, a heartfelt, sincere THANK YOU is being sent to all First Responders, EMT, firefighters, and all others that were involved in the Fire Service that have work to keep everyone safe. The Doctors, Nurses, Law Enforcement Officers and all other Essential Workers can not be overlooked either. Many showing great dedication to their duties and jobs working to keep others safe and healthy.

The long hours that they put in and the sacrifices they made to keep people well, while being concerned about bringing the deadly Coruna Virus home to their families. There are many stories about how these Essential People isolated themselves from their families trying to keep them safe at home. They moved into Dorm rooms at empty colleges, put campers in their driveway to stay in, and moved families into a second home. Essential workers also left shoes outside, stripped off their clothes as soon as they were home heading immediately to the shower. There were many creative ideas that

were practiced in a effort to keep families safe and free from the spread of the pandemic.

The courage of these people is often overlooked in the everyday life, but yet let a disaster occur and they are the first ones to step up. It at times, seems as though they have a disregard for their own safety, because not many know of the hours of training that they go through to prepare for these disasters.

Unfortunately, even with training, safety precautions, and personal protection equipment, Covid -19 still infected some of the special people. Some had symptoms and some even gave the “Ultimate Sacrifice”, losing their life to save others.

All of you that have kept us safe and well during this uncertain time of the pandemic please know that we, at MFMFC, are forever grateful for the efforts you have made to keep us, our state, and our country Safe. THANK YOU once again!

Stay Safe! Stay Well!

Fred Bradley MFMFC Vice-President

WHERE HAVE THEY GONE…???

Occasionally, someone mentions that it seems “there are less firefighters.” Those individuals are quick to offer their opinion however, it was a subject that we felt required more scrutiny. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) in their April 2019 report, “there has been a significant decline in volunteer fire fighter numbers.” The article reported there had been an estimated 682,600 volunteer firefighters in 2017 in the US, down from 814,850 in 2015 and 729,000 in 2016. Going back to 1983, there were reportedly a total of 1,111,200 in the fire service; 884,600 as volunteer/ paid on call and 226,600 career firefighters. In 2017, 41% of those were over the age of 50 and 284,000 had served ten or more years on their departments.

There seems to be a variety of reasons for this dynamic.

Volunteer departments used to be more of a social entity, a gathering place for members and their families to hold dinners, picnics, and parties. Fire training was pretty much limited to that individual department to familiarize those members with use of their own equipment. Perhaps during the year, a department or association within the county would hold “Field Day” events. Those events might consist of water ball contests, smoke house rescue, hose evolution, fire pits filled with fuel and suppressed with foam, car fire suppression, etc.

Today, in Michigan, training for both volunteer/On Call and career departments require both Firefighter 1 and 2. State Firefighter Training1 and 2 may be either done over approximately a ten month period of time, or through an eight week academy for accreditation as well as follow up continuing education classes. In general, about 30 credits need to be completed within a three-year time period. Many departments are also requiring EMT/Paramedic training, due to the increase in accident or medical related calls. Some in the service believe that the state is making it more difficult not only to hire, but to maintain qualified individuals, due mainly to more extensive training requirements.

Most original “volunteer” departments were in rural farming communities, and the respondents, upon hearing the “alarm,” would leave their fields, or local business to “answer the call.” Business owners also would allow their employees to leave and respond as well, which is seldom the case today.

Today, there seems to be a decline in volunteerism, especially in the fire service. Work hours at places of employment; family responsibilities...such as children's sport events, recitals, etc.; both heads of households employed; technology; and people being more inclined to “just not want to volunteer” for whatever reason, are some responses encountered. Some chiefs cited a “generational attitude” as cause.

Full time career Fire Chiefs state that when many of them were applying to join departments, they were competing with anywhere from 100-400 applicants. Today, that number may be 5-6 at best. Economics seem to play into the issue at many levels. One of those economics is with regard to an individual considering a career in firefighting, and the hours of training and continuing education as a concern. Chiefs in many communities cited health care/retirement benefits are an issue. Several Chiefs stated that healthcare reform and high deductibles, has also curtailed what a municipality is able to offer employees. It is difficult to get applicants, when competing with private industry that are able to offer better bene-

By Donna Thoma

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fits including profit sharing and pensions. Due to those high deductibles, some firefighters have to work multiple jobs in order to pay for medical coverage for themselves and their families.

Dedication to a department is also an issue. Many of the younger firefighters “jump” from fire department to department. Firefighters who continually change departments following their almost year of training, cause additional economic stress on those departments and municipalities. For instance, one fire department in Alabama in 2019 had four new volunteers, and only one has remained on the department. Older firefighters were more inclined to stay at a department until retirement.

Chiefs related that, as a general rule, to outfit and train a new firefighter, the cost may range anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 per trainee, no matter if they are career or volunteer.

One retired fire chief relayed that at one point a few years ago his former volunteer department had 45 members and he could generally count on at least 15 to respond. At the time of his retirement in 2019, that department had 15 volunteers and perhaps 5 may respond.

Pay for firefighters nationwide is another issue for those considering a career. In the US, entry level firefighters may earn anywhere from $28,000 to $78,000 per year. In Michigan, the average pay per year is $45,000.

Due to the lack of manpower, most departments now run mutual aid on calls, especially structure fires. Some have what is called “Box Card,” that enables departments to assess which other nearby department may be called to assist with “mutual aid.” NFPA has determined that at least five firefighters must respond to a house fire. Departments experiencing a daytime fire of that nature, are less likely to have enough personnel to respond on their own and need to call for “mutual aid.” Departments that have a method of determining which other departments have manpower and expertise needed at any given time, are more equipped to handle incidents when they are short of responders.

Other issues that come into play with firefighter shortage is the ability of a municipality to finance both police and fire departments. Municipalities may choose to pay an extra stipend to police officers for taking firefighter training, to become Public Safety. Those contacted had mixed opinions regarding Public Safety Departments. Police and fire are two of the costliest departments to maintain in a municipality.

Most contacted stated they felt it did not really work.

Monroe City Fire Department in southeast Michigan is currently in a Public Safety contract. They are changing back to separate entities. According to Chief Robert Wight of Monroe, they are in the process of hiring two additional firefighters to fill staffing needs. While the theory of Public Safety units sounds plausible, it is not always the best fit for a community.

So, “WHERE HAVE THEY GONE...?” Training, health care, lack of volunteerism, time commitment, economics – both personal and municipal, etc. seem to be the key. One chief stated that many of the younger generation tend to want to become instant “millionaires.” Chief Stevens of Frenchtown Township Fire Department perhaps said it best...”the fire service isn't a career that will make you rich financially, however, you will be rich with a sense of fulfillment, in a job well done.”

DRIVEN TO SERVE.

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MFMFC 290 Ballenger P.O. Box 672 Roscommon, MI 48653 Mfmfc.vendor@gmail.com Website: www.firemensmemorial.com Fb: Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival Committee Phone (989) 275-5880 Text (989) 390-8337

Michigan Firemen's Memorial Festival Committee postpones Festival Editor's note: The Michigan Fireman's Memorial Festival Committee met tonight (July 15) to discuss the annual festival.

Firefighters, EMS, and friends: It is with great sadness we have decided to postpone the Michigan Fireman's Memorial Festival until 2021. COVID-19 has caused postponements or cancellation of multiple events across the state, including the Memorial Service by the Michigan Firefighter's Association at the Statue sight.

As a result, the committee has had to make several other adjustments.

One of those adjustments was the cancellation of our annual $5,000 raffle. This helps defray many of the expenses we incur each year. However, we are having a separate “non face to face” raffle to replace it. Tickets are $5 each, with the drawing is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. You don't need to be present to win. Tickets are available by emailing MFMFC.vendor@gmail.com, any committee member or through our Facebook page at Michigan Fireman's Memorial Festival Committee.

We've also started sales of our collectors badges. That drawing is scheduled for Sept. 19 as well.

Badges are available at the Higgins Lake-Roscommon Chamber of Commerce, or by emailing MFMFC.vendor@gmail.com Winners will be notified.

The Michigan Firemen's Memorial Festival Magazine is also in production and will be available on newsstands soon! Please support our advertisers.

Looking forward, we are developing several new concepts for 2021, and are looking for volunteers and new members to help. We hope to make good use of this off year as we focus more strongly on our mission, which is to support and honor our fire departments and first responders: “Protecting those who protect us.”

For more information on the festival and committee, please visit our website at firemensmemorial.com See you in 2021!

Michigan Firemen's Memorial Festival Committee President: Ed Sadlacek Vice-President: Fred Bradley Secretary: Ruth Walczak Treasurer: Dar Smith Trustees: Bruce Lorion, Jim Stender, Ed Thoma, Doug Hodges, Robbin Meyers, CalvinWitherspoon, Jennie Stead

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REBOOT 2020!

By Donna Thoma

Reboot! We can “reboot” our computers when things go awry, but how can we reboot a year? We know many would like a do over or reboot of 2020. Some, people would like to have life be “normal,” others to be able to “do as they wish – work, play, graduations, visit friends and relatives, hair cuts, etc.”

There are those however, who have literally had their lives put on hold in more extensive service than normal. Fire fighters, EMS personnel, nurses, doctors and others have had to leave home and family to fully and totally dedicate their lives to a war with an unseen enemy. While the enemy can't be seen, its casualties have been visible! The numbers of ill and dyeing are staggering, but what of the warriors? Those first responders and medical personnel, both professional and volunteer, who have literally “laid down their lives” to help those suffering from this disease? COVID-19, novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV2, Corona, Rona...all names for a disease that caused a worldwide pandemic.

Is a “System Upgrade“ the answer in 2020?

Initial calls coming over monitors were “chilling!” Most responders, initially, didn't have essential safety equipment to protect themselves. Many now toss the term PPE around without realizing the full implication of what it actually means to not have access to adequate or enough personal protection equipment. It would be as though a firefighter were going to fight a raging fire without turnout gear or fire truck or available water. Masks, face shields, disposable nitrile or latex gloves, haz-mat suits, etc. may have been somewhat available to most emergency personnel, but the quantity needed was not. In many areas, such as on call departments, or smaller urban departments medical/EMS calls increased exponentially, quickly depleting any single use PPE. One such township with full time plus on call personnel, had 17 combined fire/EMS/COVID calls within a 24 hour time period.

Responders to EMS calls needed to assess medical calls a bit differently prior to entering a location. Questions to Dispatch - “has the patient been tested positive for COVID – 19, do they have symptoms...cough, difficulty breathing, loss of smell or taste? Did they have recent contact with persons who had tested or been declared positive.” Then, beginning in February and March, with some smaller On Call respondents, determining who or how many could enter the premises...especially if PPE for the situation was in short supply.

These warriors were fighting a deadly, unseen and unknown enemy. Unlike military going to fight an offshore enemy, this one came TO all of us, and first responders and medical personnel needed to fight 24/7, as well as determine ways to keep it from their own homes and families. Many left homes and families for 3-4 months, staying in a hotel, camper, their garage...wherever needed to keep their family

safe. Sadly, some of those on the front lines have succumbed to the virus themselves.

Ideas, beliefs, and knowns/unknowns about the coronavirus seem to change daily. What we do know, is that thousands have put their lives on hold to save the lives of others.

While some have said, “well it's their job,” WE know, they are “HEROS”! Men and women who have had to go above and beyond what is considered “normal” in their job classifications. Much of what they have encountered has been “on the job training,” and not found in any of their training manuals or classes. They have gone without sleep; cried inconsolably for patients and colleagues lost; tried to understand the changing landscape of the disease as well as what the thoughts of the “scientific community” are, and then do the best they could with the battle at hand. This year seems to be beyond “reboot.” It seems almost to be more of a “system fail.” Our lives and many livelihoods have been put on hold.

Events and normal common occurrences have been postponed or canceled. Those who have encountered the “enemy” first hand as patient, responder or caregiver, are relearning life, a life after a battle. Perhaps instead of a “reboot,” 2020 actually may need a “system upgrade.”

To all firefighters, police officers, EMS and medical personnel, funeral directors and anyone else who has been and continues in the line of defense of this battle, we honor your courage and your service.

Be kind to one another. May God bless you and keep you safe.

Firefighters do more than fight flames!

C.O.O.R. Christmas –2019

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While our main objective as MFMFC is to put on the Festival, it is very important that we recognize the place our organization plays in the the community, so that in turn, the community might recognize what we as an organization bring to this community. The COOR Christmas party; educational scholarships; etc, are some of the more positive venues by which we are able to accomplish this.

This year, seven committee members were able to attend the COOR party. The MFMFC/COOR Christmas Committee members are Emil and Jan Meissner and Ed and Donna Thoma.

Thirteen years ago, MFMFC took on the COOR Christmas Party for the two early grades of children.

COOR ISD represents the four counties of Crawford, Oscoda, Ogemaw, and Roscommon. In recent years, we have been blessed to have Paul and Diane Goodell representing the Claus'. The COOR Superintendent, Principal and staff (Especially Miss Holly) have been most gracious in welcoming us into their school, and providing lunch for our Committee. We have been blessed to be able to enjoy working with these children and hope that will be able to continue in the future. The children's smiles and the program they put on for our entertainment is such a special treat!

Each year we provide the needed gifts of dolls, games, cars/trucks, etc for the children: Emil and Jan Meissner (members of the COOR Christmas Committee) provide Santa Hats or stockings, and assist in purchasing and wrapping; and AuSable Bakery and Creamery provide cookies and icing for the children to decorate. Jan Meissner also helps each child with frosting and decorating their creation.

2019 Driving Simulator Winners

Spartan has promotes safety and education. For this reason they have sponsored the Driving Simulators for a few years now. Each year they score the contestants to see who does the best.

The winners of Last year is as follows: 1st place Garrett Connell from Lapeer F.D. 2nd place was Jacob Holzhei LSSU Student Eaton Rapids F.D. And 3rd place Michael Hugaboom Kalkaska Station 7. Congratulations to these winners!

Vehicle Extrication Burn Demos

Bleachers

Helicopter Landing Area

Smoke Tower

WATERBALL COURT

Rustic Camping

Bleachers Small Red Barns

Gray’s Demos

BLEACHERS

CORRAL FAMILY FUN Inflatables

RESTROOM

Storage Box

VENDORS

WATERBALL COURT

Bleachers

Antique Trucks

Lion’s Chicken Dinners

Command Post

P U B L I C

VENDORS

REST ROOMS TAN BARN VENDORS INSIDE

BIG RED BARN

MSFA

ENTERTAINMENT SOUVENIRS BADGE WINNINGS OFFICE VENDOR & CAMPING

POWER HOUS E

P A R K I N G

Horse -shoes & Cornhole

BLUE BARN VENDORS INSIDE

FIRE TRUCKS

HANDICAP PARKING

FIRE TRUCKS

FIRE TRUCKS

MAIN GATE

Flower Bed

V E N D O R P A R K I N G

FESTIVAL EVENTS WITH ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY Located at the Fire Trainng Grounds formerly known as the Roscommon Fairgrounds

Featured Events Memorial Service and Placing of Memorial Wreaths at the Firemen’s Memorial Site Badge Drawing for Prizes Lions Club Chicken Barbecue Fire ad Rescue Equipment Displays Water Ball Contest Inflatables for Children Fire Truck Pull

Michigan Vehicle Extraction Competition Sawdust Pile Penny Hunt Gray’s Air Cushion and Semi Truck Up-righting Antique Fire Truck Displays Search & Rescue Competition Memorial Festival Dance Class “A” Foam Demonstration Arts and Crafts Booths Forest Fire Demo, DNR & U.S. Forest Service

Thursday, September 17 Events Get Acquainted Night (Family Night) Free Hot Dogs and pop at 5:00 PM Craft Projects For the Kids Kids Fire Safety Trailer

Guest Appearances by : Smokey Bear, Dollar Dog, And Safety Stan the Magical Fireman

Friday, September 18 Events First full day of events.

Featured Events Inflatables for Children after 4 p.m.

Bar Opens at 2 p.m. (you must be 21 years of age with picture ID) Registration for Water Ball Until 6 p.m.

Live Music Begins at 9 p.m.

Bright Light Vehicle Showdown Begins at 7 p.m.

Bright Light Parade follows Showdown (Register for Showdown/Parade)

All Day Events Children’s activities Sawdust Pile Penny Hunt Fire and Rescue Equipment Displays Vendors Demonstrations

Saturday, September 19 Events Saturday at 9:00 am, we invite you to join with the Michigan State Firemen’s Association at the Memorial site to pay tribute to all Fire Fighters. They will conduct the Annual Memorial Service and placing of memorial wreaths by Fire Fighter organizations, service clubs and others.

Featured Events Parade through downtown Roscommon Begins at 11 a.m.

Michigan Vehicle Extrication Competition Begins at 12 Noon (Pre-registration required) Bar Opens 12 noon until 1 a.m. (you must be 21 years of age with picture ID) Lion’s Club Chicken Barbecue 12 Noon until gone Badge Drawing for prizes 12 p.m. until 6 p.m.

Waterball contest Begins at 12:30p.m (Registration ends at noon on the Waterball Court) Annual Search and Rescue Competition Begins at 1p.m (Pre-registration required) High Pressure Gas Demo Begins at 1:30 p.m.

Annual Memorial Festival Dance Begins at 9 p.m.

U of M Survival Flight

All Day Events Antique Fire Truck Displays Fire and Rescue Equipment Displays Gray’s Air Cushion and Semi-Truck Up righting Arts & Crafts Booth Free Activities for the Children Forest Fire Demo, DNR & U.S. Forest Service Adopt-A-Pet Petting Zoo Free Trolley Rides to and from Memorial Site Class “A” Foam Demonstration Fire Truck Pull 911 Children’s Firehouse Sawdust Pile Penny Hunt

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Thank You For Your Support!

Please give them your patronage

Thank you Essential Workers!

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2020 Scholarship Recipient The Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival Committee is proud to announce that the 2020 Scholarship has been awarded to Emily Terry. Emily was chosen by MFMFC over five other applicants. Each year MFMFC encourages applicants that are looking to attend college to pursue an education, for the good of the community, in the public service criteria.

Emily is the daughter of Harold and Wendy Terry and resides in Roscommon with her parents. She is a graduating senior of the Roscommon Area Public Schools. While enrolled in Roscommon High School, along with holding a high-grade point average, Emily was involved in many extracurricular activities such as, Volleyball, Basketball and Softball.

She plans to study at Central Michigan University, double majoring in pre-physical therapy and psychology while minoring in leadership. After undergraduate school she hopes to go on to graduate school for physical therapy.

MFMFC would like to say Congratulations to Emily. We also wish her Good Luck in her future endeavors.

Jennie Stead Scholarship Chairperson

Roscommon Area Public School Marching Band 40th Annual Firemen’s Memorial Parade Picture by Megan Milnes

Application Criteria:

Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival Committee $1000.00 Scholarship Program

Applicant must be planning to attend or attending a school/program located in the State of Michigan.

It is preferred but not mandatory to be considering education in the following Programs: Fire Science/ DNR Services; Paramedic/EMS services; Medical Education (Nursing, P.A., Physician etc.) Any Public Safety Services.

Completed Application must be signed and dated by Applicant.

Two Letter of recommendation Required.

Current/most recent transcript of grades.

Mail completed application with all required information to:

Deadline; March 30, 2021 MFMFC Scholarship Program P.O. Box 672 Roscommon, MI 48653

Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival Committee Scholarship Application

Contact Information

Last Name________________________________ First Name______________________________ Middle Initial______ Mailing Address________________________________ City____________________ State _____ Zip Code __________ Home Phone_____________________________________ Cell Phone ______________________________________ Education Information Name of High School_________________________________________________ Graduation Yr.______ GPA________

Intended Program of Study ___________________________________________________________ Brief Statement Explaining Career Goals and/or Plan of Study (may use additional paper if needed) ___________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Extra-Curricular Activities and Clubs _____________________________________________________________________ Connection to Fire Department (if any) who and where ______________________________________________________ Chosen School/Program: ___________________________________________ Date of Entry _______________________ I certify that all the information given on this application is correct. I understand that the Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival Committee will review my application, recommendations, and transcripts to decide on granting the scholarship.

Signature_____________________________________________________________________ Date _______________ Print Name ______________________________________________________________________________________

Annual Gold Badge Auction ATTENTION ALL BADGE COLLECTORS!

2020 will be a great year for all collectors of badges! What is a Gold Badge? A Gold Badge is a special badge we issue each year. These badges are printed in gold and are auctioned off to the highest bidder. They are the first ten badges printed (1-10) plus one for the year of the festival (2020).

Fick And Sons Waiting For Graphics

Each badge comes with an Official Badge Certificate to certify the buyer's name, number of the badge won, date badge was purchased, and the date and year of that annual festival.

The auction will take place at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, September 19th, 2020 inside the Big Red Barn. These badges may be purchased in honor of a fallen firefighter and their name placed on the Certificate; or perhaps on the honor wall along side patch collections in your fire station; or just as a memento of the the events of the year that turned upside down for most of us! Norm Yoder will again be our auctioneer.

Monies raised go toward putting on the Festival. We look forward to seeing you there!

Ed and Donna Thoma – Badge Chairpersons

Friday Sept. 18th 2020

September 17-19, 2020

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MFMFC Water Ball Competition Saturday September 19, 2020

Bring this form to Festival

Department Name______________________________________________ Players 1. ___________________________________________________________ 2. ___________________________________________________________ 3. ___________________________________________________________ 4. ___________________________________________________________

E-mail address that you would like information and pictures

sent to:

email: ___________________________________________________________

Entry Fee $10.00

Mail to: MFMFC Waterball Competition P.O. Box 672

Extracation Form

Trophy Plus Cash Prizes 1st place $300.

2nd place $200.

3rd Place $100 And Bragging Rights

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MFMFC

Search and Rescue Challenge September 19, 2020 Noon til Finish Pre-Registration form 2 Person Team

MFMFC “Bright Light” Show-down

Registration Form Friday September 18, 2020 Line-up 6:30 PM Judging begins 7:30PM Owner’s

Department Name______________________________ Department Address ___________________________ County___ City _____________________State______ Zip __________ Phone (____) _____________________ E-mail _________________________________________ Print and sign below

Searcher #1 ___________________________________ Signature _________________________________________

Searcher #2 ___________________________________

Name______________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________

City _______________________________________________ State________________ Zip Code_________ E-MAIL ____________________________________________ Department Name _______________________________ Department e-mail __________________________________ Vehicle Description Year______ Make __________

Signature ________________________________________ Department Chief_______________________________ Safety Person _________________________________ All competing teams are requested to be on the Training Grounds at least one (1) hour before the competition starts. Check-in takes place near the training tower.

Each team member is required to sign this registration form. This form is also a release of all and any liability due to accidents that cause any injury. The Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival Committee, Inc. will not be held liable for any such accidents.

All competing teams will meet ½ hour before competition starts at the Training Tower for questions. Limited availability due to time.

Teams can bring this form with them and turn into the “Command Post” on Friday or send the pre-registration form to:

MFMFC P.O. Box 672 Roscommon, MI 48653 Attention: Smoke House Challenge

Car ____ RV/Pick-up _____ Other______ Commercial _______ (Check one) Bright Light Competition Rules Registration at the Command Post Vehicle must be registered before line-up begins at 6:30 Contestant cannot have any affiliation with any company that sells Emergency Lights.

Lights must be fused properly.

Wiring must be neat and properly placed as to not create a hazard.

Driver MUST remain in vehicle or it will be disqualified.

Driver MUST comply with Judge’s request to open area for visual judging.

A total of the judges scores will determine the winner.

In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the Audiences response.

Registration may be mailed to: Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival Committee PO 672 Roscommon, MI 48653

FRENCHTOWN FIRE CHIEF – WENDY STEVENS ONE OF FEW WOMEN IN THE FIRE SERVICE

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By Donna Thoma

Nationwide, only about 8% of firefighters are women within over 30,000 fire departments. Hired in 2016 as Deputy Fire Chief, Wendy Stevens soon after became the first female Fire Chief of Frenchtown Fire Department, as well as the first female Fire Chief in Monroe County. Married and the mother of three, Chief Stevens began her career as a firefighter 30 years ago at Flat Rock part time, eventually being hired full time by the Canton Township Fire Department.

There she served about 25 years prior to being hired by Frenchtown.

level.

Perhaps the most difficult time she's had, was when she decided to begin her family. That was primarily due to her long work hours at the time. When her children were born, she worked 24 hour shifts. Leaving her infants for the first time after maternity leave, was incredibly painful.

While Chief Stevens said that “the fire service isn't a career that will make you rich financially however, you will be rich with a sense of fulfillment, in a job well done. “In this job, Currently, the department has 18 full time firefighters, Chief you can deliver new life and later, hold the hand of a grandStevens, Fire Inspector, and Administrative Assistant who mother as she passes. Being able to make a difference in are full time, plus 6 on call. The goal this year is to fill and those lives is where our riches are.” additional three full time firefighter/paramedic positions. It appears that at the current pace for 2020, Frenchtown Fire Chief Stevens may not have become a firefighter to change Department will respond to between 3000-3200 calls, the the climate for other women however, her tenacity and permajority being EMS related. Located in northern Monroe severance as a minority in the field, as a community leader, county, bordering on the shore of Lake Erie, Frenchtown has and a working mother has left its mark on the township and nearly 20,500 population, and covers over 43 square miles the county. of land and water.

At best count, there may only be about 50 women serving as Chiefs of fire departments across the US, and only a handful of those in Michigan. Wendy's transition to Chief of the department has been basically seamless. Chief Stevens has never had an issue working with or fitting in with her male counterparts. Although, they sometimes wonder if they need to act and talk differently in her presence. In her nearly 30 years in the fire service, she hasn't worked one on one with another woman firefighter, although the department did have one other female firefighter on a different shift.

Many see a female firefighter as possibly not being able to carry out the duties physically as well as a male firefighter.

Chief Stevens felt she had to work harder to earn certain respects more than her counterparts, due to those perceived gender issues. Her greatest adjustment was trying to find gear that fit. Most of the equipment and turn out gear are tailored to larger individuals. Her 5 foot 6 inch height was a bit of a challenge, not only with gear, but in reaching the pedals of the trucks and having access to other vehicle controls. She learned to adjust to be able to deal with vehicle operations. She hasn't really experienced much in the way of strength or physical barriers. While many of her male counterparts may be stronger than her, she can still do the same tasks. Stevens' greatest gender related issues experienced were not from her male counterparts, but from patients. She “got more flak from patients than she ever did from male firefighters.” She does feel that women and men have a different compassion and that works well on certain situations.

All those in the fire service, regardless of gender, go through the same rigorous training. State training for Firefighter 1 and 2 takes about 10 months to certification, unless one chooses to go through the 8 week academy. Most departments are now requiring EMT/Paramedic training as well.

While fire calls have dropped, medically related calls have greatly increased. That has also been the trend at the national

Photograph by Tom Hawley of the Monroe News

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