Greetings,

The time has come to begin planning for our 2022 MSFA/LAMSFA Annual Convention and Conference. After two long years of virtual gatherings, we are now in a place to prepare for our return to Ocean City, Maryland. A lot has been learned about how strong our Association is as we met our constitutional requirements in 2020 and 2021 without a face to face annual meeting, however, all of us are looking forward to gathering at the beach this year.

The Convention Committee has been working on this year’s programs and as we return to an in-person event, we are proceeding slowly in an effort to ensure that our membership transitions back to a traditional conference and convention without too much impact caused by the pandemic. You will see that we have eliminated two specific events from the schedule: Basket Bingo and the Golf Tournament. We will reexamine those activities after this year’s gathering to see if eliminating them was best for the Association.

Below, please find the convention and conference dates for the next five years:

2022, June 18 – 23
2023, June 17 – 22
2024, June 15 – 20
2025, June 14 – 19
2026, June 20 – 25

In addition to our printed materials, the MSFA Convention Website has been updated to include everything you need to know about this year’s activities. I highly suggest you continue to check it out to stay on top of convention planning activities and changes to the program and schedule. Now is the time to begin looking for lodging opportunities as I am sure that more and more people are looking to get away to the beach this summer after being secluded by the pandemic.

Annual Dues Reminder – This will serve as a reminder that annual dues invoices have been sent to every member company as required by the MSFA By-Laws. Dues for member departments are $200.00 and associate members are $50.00. All checks should be made payable to the Maryland State Firemen’s Association and mailed to the Office of the Financial Secretary, P.O. Box 401, Jarrettsville, MD 21084. Email wmvocke@harfordpublicsafety.org if you have any questions. All dues must be paid by April 1, 2022.

Member Company Credentials – The MSFA online credentialing and registration process is available on the Convention website. Your company must be registered for the convention by May 30, 2022 in order to be eligible to vote. Please pay close attention to the statistical questions asked during the registration process. Accurate information is vital to the success of the Association. Each member company is entitled to five (5) delegates and five (5) alternates who represent your department at the business sessions. If you know of someone from your department that will be attending the convention, please designate them as a delegate or alternate so they can pick up your department’s packet. Only those listed as a delegate or alternate will be allowed to pick up the packet. If those listed do not attend, the packet will be mailed to your department.
Please note: This registration form should be completed even if you do not intend to send delegates to the Convention and Conference.

Preliminary Convention Program – A draft program schedule will be posted on the website in the next few weeks and a final program will be released a few months from now once special topic speakers have been confirmed. Please note the location for each event as changes may result from potential convention center construction which is well underway.

Seminars and Training Opportunities – The Convention Committee has been working to provide you with some of the very best educational opportunities available. You will note on the convention website that all the training opportunities will be posted much earlier this year than in the past. We want to make sure you know what is available and that you will plan appropriately to take advantage of the excellent learning opportunities. The Convention Committee has again partnered with the Ocean City “FOOLS” to provide more class sessions and hands-on training opportunities. More topics and nationally recognized instructors will be available for these educational opportunities.

Joint Memorial Service – The Joint Memorial Service will recognize fire service members who have passed away during calendar year 2021. Please complete a separate recognition form for each deceased member of your department. The forms can be found on the Convention website and on the MSFA Memorial web page. A photo of each deceased member will be required with each electronic form you complete. If for some reason an individual was omitted in a prior year, please include a separate completed form and photo of that member as well. Clearly identify the year in which the member’s death occurred. Memorial Service Forms will be received by Chief Chaplain Reverend John F. Long, Jr., at jflongjr@yahoo.com and LAMSA Chaplain Jennifer Johnson at Mrsking2355@gmail.com. Memorial Recognition Forms must be received by March 1, 2020 in order to be included in the Memorial Service and Commemorative Book.

Convention and Conference Exhibitor Opportunities – Member departments can acquire exhibit space, both in the exhibit halls and outside the convention center for a discounted price. There is a separate commercial rate for businesses and corporations. Pricing and online purchasing of space are now available. Any questions should be directed to our Staff: Executive Director Kate Loveless or Lynn Hawkins at the following email address; exhibits@msfa.org or feel free to call the office at (443) 302-2911. Please try and help us locate vendors who may want to show their products and services at the convention. We need your help with this.

Convention and Conference Program Book Advertisements – Please show your department’s support of the many opportunities we offer at the convention by placing an advertisement in this year’s Convention and Conference Program Book. New ad opportunities are available and any questions should be forwarded to Past President C. Daniel Davis, Jr. at danrosedavis@verizon.net. We highly encourage commercial entities to place ads in the Program Book, so please share this with any business establishment who may be willing to support the MSFA, especially any in the Greater Ocean City area.

Convention and Conference Lodging – As mentioned, we are experiencing increased hotel rates for the week we are scheduled to be in Ocean City. The Convention Committee will be providing information through the website on special hotel rates being offered to the MSFA. We encourage you to take advantage of these rates as it builds our partnership strength with the management of the hotels we utilize during the convention. We are working with the Ocean City Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Association and the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce to get you the best possible lodging deals available. We thank them for their support. Remember, when making your reservation, ask for a MSFA special rate.

Fire Prevention Ambassador Recognition – Once again, the Maryland State Firemen’s Association wishes to acknowledge all of the hard work and dedication put forth in the area of Fire Prevention and Life Safety. This year, during the Miss Fire Prevention Program we will again be recognizing the many individuals that support Community Risk Reduction throughout the State of Maryland. Please note that the Miss Fire Prevention Contest takes place on Sunday, June 21, 2022, at the Convention Center. The program will begin at 2:00 PM.

MSFA Annual Awards – One of the most important things that you can do as a leader of a volunteer organization is to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of your membership. Please take the time to review the requirements and submission guidelines for each of the awards that the MSFA offers and consider nominating a deserving member. Contact Past President Doyle Cox, Chairman of the Awards Committee, 29132 Superior Circle, Easton, MD 21601 with any questions regarding the MSFA Awards Program. Doyle’s email address is doyle.cox2010@gmail.com or call him on his cell at 443-532-1416.

The Convention Committee is again working to provide an array of family activities in Ocean City to include discounted events at Jolly Roger Amusement Park, Splash Mountain Water Park, the Inlet Amusement Rides, along with Movies on the Beach and fireworks. Antique apparatus displays at the convention center and, of course, our annual parade is on the schedule again this year. Please remember that there are new parking requirements with automated systems in Ocean City and trailers parked on public streets requires a special permit issued by the town. The Air Show will be the week earlier and will not impact us this year.

Finally, we ask that you do not put these reminders aside but give them your earliest possible attention. Visit the convention website often. Our convention will be here before you know it and the committee wants to make sure it is a most enjoyable experience for everyone. Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.

See you at the beach,

Ronald “Ron” Jon Siarnicki
Convention and Conference Chair