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(Updated 06/14/2021)

April 12, 2021

Back in January, Presidents Chuck Walker and Donna Struntz provided the first glimpse of what the 129^th Annual Convention and Conference of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association and Ladies Auxiliary may look like for 2021. With the continuation of the National Emergency, because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, this year’s events will again be held virtually.

As a result of this global pandemic, our lives have been turned completely around and our life experiences have different perspectives from what we were expecting or witnessing. Having been through all of this, the Convention and Conference Committee has taken every step possible to meet the needs of our Association, address the Constitution and By-Laws requirements of the organization, and support our dedicated membership with an event that continues the honors and traditions of our fire service community.

Our annual gathering will once again include virtual conference calls and presentations starting on June 14^th with activities that support the Constitution and By-Laws of the MSFA and LAMSFA. Throughout the following days, activities will include Electronic Voting, an Online Memorial Service, Remarks from MSFA and LAMSFA Presidents and Elected Officials, Online Program Presentations, Electronic Seminar Presentations, Announcement of all Award Winners, electronically administering the Oath of Office to newly elected officers, and an Executive Committee Conference Call to approve the 2021-2022 Budget.

The entire Convention and Conference Agenda is included in this letter along with a complete list of all available training opportunities that will be offered this year. In addition, all this information can be found on the MSFA Convention Website and I encourage you to check in from time to time as some additions and adjustments may be made to ensure a wonderful experience for all our members.

The Convention Committee hopes that each individual member and department will appreciate this year’s events and activities and, more so, participate in the program when possible. Be Safe and Thank You.

Sincerely,

Ronald Jon Siarnicki

Convention Chairman

MSFA 129^th Annual Convention and Conference Agenda

Saturday, May 15, 2021

Deadline for MSFA Nominations to be submitted electronically to the Office of the Secretary.

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Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Remarks by Convention Chair Siarnicki posted online (Explanation of 2021 Events Schedule)

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Monday, June 14, 2021  

LAMSFA ballot review on website

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Wednesday June 16, 2021

1200 hrs. – All MSFA candidate campaign videos posted on the website

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Friday, June 18, 2021 

LAMSFA Ballots emailed to LAMSFA Chair of Delegates and Past Presidents that have submitted credentials and their Auxiliary is current on dues.  Ballots may be cast as soon as received. Voting ends Monday June 21 at 2359 hrs.

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Saturday, June 19, 2021

Pre-Conference Training

1000 hrs. *LIVE Becoming an Ally to Foster Diversity & Inclusion – Dr. Candice McDonald

1100 hrs. Highway Safety Training Beyond the TIMS class – Todd Liess

1200 hrs. Pediatric Trauma Cases – Dr. Karen O’Connell

1300 hrs. *LIVE; Resilience Skills Training – Mike Donahue, Karen Deppa

1400 hrs. Residential and Small Commercial First Due Size Up – Chief Naum

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Sunday, June 20, 2021

Educational Opportunities

1000 hrs. *LIVE; R & R; Developing your Game Plan – Dr. Candice McDonald

1100 hrs. Are You Operating Safe Apparatus – Chief Allen Baldwin, Tom Shand

1200 hrs. *LIVE; Four Pillars of Functional Fitness – Dan Kerrigan

1300 hrs. Pediatric HP CPR – Danielle Joy, MS RN; Dr. Karen O’Connell

1400 hrs. *LIVE; Drilling for Success – Keith Niemann, Wichita Fire Department; FOOLS of OZ

1300 hrs. – MSFA Executive Committee meeting: Zoom Conference Call

– Call to Order………………………………………….……………… Chairman Lee Lutz

– Explanation of what needs to occur during meeting – Chairman Lee Lutz

– Report of the Credentials Committee

– Announce the number of companies who have registered and are in good standing and

eligible to vote; and those companies who are not in good standing and thus not eligible to

vote.

– Report from the Constitution and Bylaws Committee

– Introduce and explain the Bylaws changes proposed on the 2021 Ballot.

1400 hrs. – Call for Nominations…………………………………… MSFA President Chuck Walker

President

Verbal Nomination

Verbal Second

Close Nominations

1st Vice President

Verbal Nomination

Verbal Second

Close Nominations

2nd Vice President

Verbal Nomination

Verbal Second

Close Nominations

Treasurer

Verbal Nomination

Verbal Second

Close Nominations

Chief Chaplain

          Verbal Nomination

Verbal Second

Close Nominations

Trustees (1)

Verbal Nomination

Verbal Second

Close Nominations

Location of 2025 Convention

          Verbal Nomination

          Verbal Second

Close Nominations

Attendees by Zoom Meeting Invite (Secretary Cox):

Presidents

                      Financial Secretary

                      Treasurer

Secretary

Chief Chaplain

                      Executive Director

                      Trustees

                      Executive Committee

All Announced Candidates

                      All Nominators

                    All Persons to read Seconds

**Immediately following Nominations, Executive Committee will resume with their meeting.

Executive Committee Conference Call Agenda Following Nominations:

– Call to Order …………………………………………………… Committee Chair Lee Lutz

– Roll Call by the Secretary

– Motion to post the ballot on the MSFA Website

– Motion to open Elections on June 21 at 1200 hrs. and close on June 23 at 1700 hrs.

– Motion to suspend companies that have not paid dues or submitted credentials

– Adjourn meeting

**Immediately following this session, the MSFA Sample Ballot will be posted on website.

MSFA 2021 Online Memorial Service: 

1645 15-Minute Countdown Begins

1700 Invocation.………….………………….………… Chief Chaplain John F. Long, Jr.

1703 National Anthem

1707 Welcome ……………………….…..…………… MSFA President Chuck Walker
1711 Scripture Reading: Ecc. 3:1-11………… MSFA Chaplain Charles E. Barnhart, Jr.

MEMBER TRIBUTES

1749 Scripture Reading: Psalm 23 …………. LAMSFA Vice-Chaplain Jennifer Johnson

1753 “Last Call on Earth, First Call in Heaven” ………… Stacy Faust, Sudlersville VFC

1756 Scripture Reading: Lamentations 3:17-26 …. MSFA Chaplain Chesky Tenenbaum

1801 Recognition of Deceased Members (Video)

1835 Flag folding …………………… Harford County Honor Guard/Mark Bilger Reader

1845 Amazing Grace ………………………………….………………… Fire Brigade Pipe

1848 TAPS and ECHO

1853 Dismissal ……………………………………….. LAMSFA President Donna Struntz

1847 Benediction ……………………….….…………. LAMSFA Chaplain Holly Trego  

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Monday, June 21, 2021

Educational Opportunities

1000 hrs. Impact of Horizontal Ventilation on Fire Behavior – UL FSRI Fire Safety Academy

1100 hrs. Pediatric TOR ABC’s – Dr. Jennifer Anders

1200 hrs. Influence of Building Construction – Chief Christopher Naum

1300 hrs. *LIVE; Family in the Fire Service; Full version – Chief Allen Baldwin

1400 hrs. Maryland EMS in Pandemic Vortex – Dr. Ted Delbridge, Executive Director, MIEMSS

1000 hrs. – Opening of the 129th Annual Convention and Conference

Call to Order by the MSFA President and LAMSFA President

– Invocation by Chaplain John Long, Jr.

– Posting of Volunteer, MSFA, Fallen Firefighters, NFFF, and MD Fire

Rescue Memorial Foundation Flags

– Posting of Maryland State and American Flags

– Pledge of Allegiance by LAMSFA President

– National Anthem by Cheryl Few 

– Remarks by MSFA President Chuck Walker

– Remarks by LAMSFA President Donna Struntz

– Introduction of Special Guests

Remarks by Congressman Steny Hoyer

Remarks by Governor Larry Hogan

Remarks by General Gowan, MD Military Department

Remarks by OC Mayor Rick Meehan and Fire Chief Bowers

1100 hrs. – Keynote Address

– Closing Announcements………………. MSFA President Chuck Walker

– Benediction……………………………..MSFA Chaplain John Long, Jr.

1200 hrs. – MSFA Ballots emailed to Companies and Past Presidents and MSFA voting will open

2359 hrs. – LAMSFA Voting closes.

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Tuesday, June 22, 2021

0900 hrs. – LAMSFA Election results will be posted

Educational Opportunities

1000 hrs. When Minutes Count; EMS Treatment of Severe Allergic Reaction – Dr. Timothy Chizmar, State EMS Medical Director

1100 hrs. *LIVE; Fire & EMS Officer Training; Managing Psych. Health – Chaplain Bower

1200 hrs. Understanding the Why of Seatbelts – J. Bahouth, D. Sc.

1300 hrs. Man Vs Machinery – Capt. Mark Gregory

1400 hrs. *LIVE; CIREN; Crash Analysis – Allie Chavez; Mark Scarborough, Shock Trauma

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Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Educational Opportunities

1000 hrs. *LIVE; Insurance for Fire Departments – Ron Block

1100 hrs. Shock Trauma Go Team Presentation – Mary Scott-Herring, DNP, MS, CRNA

1200 hrs. Main Street Fires – Chief Christopher Naum

1300 hrs. Medication Safety; Poison Prev. for Families – Cyndy Wright-Johnson, MSN, RN. EMSC Director, MIEMSS

1200 hrs. – Remarks by MSFA President Chuck Walker; Live Coverage

1205 hrs. – Remarks by Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan; Live Coverage

1210 hrs. – $10,000 MSFA Raffle Drawing in Ocean City; Live Coverage

1230 hrs. – Reminder by President Walker for companies to cast ballots; Live Coverage

1500 hrs. – Announcement of all Award Winners posted on MSFA Website and Social Media

1600 hrs. – MSFA Voting Closes

1700 hrs. – MSFA Election Committee will compile and post results.

Thursday, June 24, 2021

1900 hrs. – MSFA Executive Committee Meeting: Zoom Conference Call

– Call to Order……………………………………………………….. Chairman Doug Simpkins

– Roll Call by the Secretary

– MSFA and LAMSFA Oath of Office administered virtually to elected officers

– Executive Committee Approval of Appointed Officers

– Oath of Office administered virtually to Appointed Officers

– Comments by newly elected MSFA President

– Comments by newly elected LAMSFA President

– Executive Committee to approve 2020-2021 Budget

129^th Convention and Conference Reminders:

Each member company needs to continue with the pre-convention activities that are required of the membership. It is highly recommended that any company that has not completed their credentials report please do so now so we can meet the voting requirements of the MSFA and LAMSFA.

Since we will not be gathering in Ocean City, it is imperative that each company sell their $10,000.00 raffle tickets and purchase and sell extras if they can. The drawing will still take place on June 23^rd.

If possible, sell more of the raffle tickets, we have plenty to share, or have your company purchase more than they did last year. The public events that the Ways and Means Committee usually attends to sell tickets, have been dramatically reduced this year.

Send your money and ticket stubs to Financial Secretary Mitch Vocke. His address is P.O. Box 401, Jarrettsville, MD 21084. If you have raffle questions or need more tickets, his email is wmvocke1@gmail.com.

Continue sending in your Convention Program Book ads. Please submit those as soon as possible so we can meet printing deadlines.

Send in your credentials, dues payment, committee reports and any sponsorship commitments you would normally provide. It is imperative we get this information for the program and publications associated with the Convention and Conference.

Finally, stay connected with the MSFA Website for updates and new information.

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