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SDFA Fall Conference and Membership Meeting - 2025 (6th Annual)

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SDFA Fall Conference and Membership Meeting - 2025 (6th Annual)

Friday, October 10, 2025 5:00 PM - Sunday, October 12, 2025 12:00 PM (MDT)

Description

SAVE THE DATE, OCTOBER 10-12, 2025 - HOLIDAY INN SPEARFISH-CONVENTION CENTER

SDFA is happy to announce Rodney Foster will be opening the show! Mark your calendars! Get your reservations! Registration opening soon!
Class description: Staging is often not the most efficient aspect in most fire responses. We must be prepared to create a staging area that works to get assets assigned. To be deployed and sit in staging causes many firefighters for self-dispatch and go directly to the fire and not check in with IC. If we can identify assets sooner and get them out of staging they might be more willing to go through the proper steps to be included in the event. 
Instructor Bio: Rodney Foster is the Former Assistant Director of Oklahoma State Fire Service Training. He currently has over 25 years in the Oklahoma Fire Service and an educator of volunteer firefighters in Oklahoma. Rodney holds a Master's Degree Fire and Emergency Management from Oklahoma State University.



Tom Merrill is a 39-year fire department veteran and serves with the Snyder Fire Department, which is located in Amherst, New York (first ring suburb of the City of Buffalo). He served 26 years as a department officer including 15 years in the chief officer ranks. He was chief of department from 2007-2012 and currently serves as a Fire Commissioner for the Snyder Fire District. Tom has conducted various fire service presentations throughout the country including FDIC, The National Volunteer Fire Council Training Summit, VCOS and many other national, state and regional conferences.
"Professional is not defined by a paycheck" Tom Merrill
More information on Tom here: https://www.theprofessionalvfd.com/

There will be updates and short sessions from the SDFA and other SD Fire Service Agencies during Membership Meetings


Click Here to download SDFA Fall Conference and Membership Meeting - GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AGENDA


Click Here to download the SDFA Fall Conference Booklet

SEPERATE SPOUSES PROGRAM HOSTED BY THE SOUTH DAKOTA FIRE FIGHTERS AUXILIARY WILL BE HELD SATURDAY OCTOBER 11TH FROM 8:30-11:30


Spouses Program:   “The Cost of Courage: A Widow’s Journey with Love, Loss, and the Fire Family

 "Shawn , a widow whose husband made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting a structure fire, shares her experience of loss and resilience. She reflects on the moment of notification — recognizing that not every family is as fortunate to receive it with compassion and support — and the constant worry that comes with being a firefighter’s spouse each time the tones go off. Her story highlights the vital role of the fire service family in rallying around survivors and challenges firefighters and leaders alike to ask: If the unthinkable happens, do you have everything in place to care for your family?



EXHIBITORS/VENDORS:  Exhibitor/Sponsor Specific Registration is expected to be announced and open ~late June/early July.  For information on Sponsorship opportunities, exhibitor space at the event, etc... please contact us and we'll send you a link for Vendor/Exhibitor/Sponsor Specific Registration Page.  SCDir@sdfirefighters.org


Sponsors

SDFA Conference Friday Evening Social Event
SDFA Conference Saturday Social/DOT Sponsorship
SDFA Conference Exhibitor
SDFA Event - Venue/Facility/Community Partner
SDFA Partner Sponsorship
Dear Old Timers (DOT)
Dear Old Timers

Images

South Dakota Firefighters Association Logo
Pricing

Standard registration cost is $75 with a $25 discount given to attendees that belong to a Department/Agency with a 100% Department Membership or Individuals with and Individual SDFA Membership.

***Early Registration Discount of $30 will be applied to any student attendee registration.

Vendors/Exhibitors - 2 STAFF Attendees Included at no charge with your Vendor/Exhibitor Table Purchase.

Sponsorships DO NOT include any complimentary Attendees or Vendor/Exhibitor Tables

You conference registration includes:

  • Friday Evening Social - hors d'oeuvres @ Convention Center
  • Noon Meal on Saturday @ the Convention Center
  • Saturday Evening Social- hors d'oeuvres @ Convention Center
  • Break Time Snacks and Beverages will be available both Saturday & Sunday
Holiday Inn Spearfish-Convention Center
305 N 27th Street
Spearfish, SD 57783-0399 United States


Holiday Inn Spearfish-Convention Center

(605) 642-4683

Event Contact
Charlie Kludt
(605) 940-1087
 Send Email
Friday, October 10, 2025 5:00 PM - Sunday, October 12, 2025 12:00 PM (MDT)

All event times are posted in MOUNTAIN TIME 

 Conference Schedule  Available by clicking here to download - (*NOTE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE*)

Also don't forget the DOT (Dear Old Timers) and Conference Social that will be held after the Memorial Service Saturday late afternoon ~5:30.  EVERYONE is welcome to attend!  This is a combined DOT Social and Conference Social Event.  Even if you're not attending the conference but would like to stop in and attend DOT/Conference Social we would love to have you!   You can register for just the DOT Social Event Here.

***The Annual LODD SD Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service will be held Saturday late afternoon at the conference.

Registered Guests
29
Register Sponsor Registration Exhibitor Registration
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