Creation of the Northern Kentucky Firefighters Association.
The Northern Kentucky Firefighters Association is proud to serve as the host association of the 2008 Kentucky Firefighters Association Annual Conference. The NKFA takes great pride in its heritage and exemplary service to the fire departments and emergency service organizations of Northern Kentucky, as well with its parent association the KFA. The text below is reprinted from the official program of the Kentucky Firefighters Association's 15th Annual Convention and Fire College hosted by Northern Kentucky on August 28, 29, 30, 1934 in Newport, Kentucky. This article outlines the beginnings of the Northern Kentucky Firefighter's Association. We hope you enjoy this bit of history and have a pleasant and prosperous convention.
The need for a general association for all the fire departments of the northern communities had been keenly felt and often discussed. In February of this year, 1934, the various fire chiefs accepted Chief Cliff Specht's invitation to call an initial meeting at the Southgate fire station, and what had always been considered a dream became an actuality, for at this meeting the name Northern Kentucky Firemen's Association was chosen, a complete personnel of officers was elected, an executive governing board selected and committees on by-laws, finance and entertainment appointed.
That long-felt need was being satisfied was further demonstrated at this first meeting. A complete program of aims for the betterment of fire fighting practice and fire prevention and for area was proposed and adopted.
Some idea of the scope of this program can be gained from its five major purposes: 1. To promote mutual aid; 2. To promote the general improvement of fire service and fire practices; 3. Standardization of equipment; 4. To foster and encourage the Kentucky Firemen's Association; 5. To cooperate with the State Fire Marshal's office.
Under the second heading, the improvement of the fire service, it was proposed that a Move-up Schedule and Running Card involving all of the departments be formed. It was pointed out, at the time, that this proposal combining as it would all the available man power and equipment of the northern cities, would make one metropolitan unit comparable to any of the larger cities in the country. It was further emphasized that such systematic and automatic massing of departments in the event of a great conflagration in any of the cities would be an assurance of protection for all Northern Kentucky residents and would have the ready approbation of the Underwriters.
Other phases of the plan called for the forming of an inter-county running card, detailed maps of all the territory involved and a combine drill school.
It was decided that the Association would meet on the forth Tuesday of each month and all pledged themselves to bring the organization's aims to completion as soon as possible. The second meeting, held in March at the Ludlow fire station, with Chief Edward Miles presiding as president, demonstrated how earnest were these pledges. A complete set of by-laws was presented by Chief Andy Scheben of Erlanger, chairman of the By-Law Committee and adopted. J.E. Clore, Ludlow, was instructed to make a complete inventory of men and equipment of all the departments and present preliminary plans for "runs" and "moveups" on the proposed Running Card and Move-Up Schedule. Chief B. Nielander, Ft. Thomas, was instructed to begin active work, as chairman of the Entertainment Committee, for entertainment following the monthly meetings, but particularly to arrange for entertainment of visitors to the 15th Annual Convention and 1st Fire College of the Kentucky Firemen's Association at Newport in August. Likewise, Chief John Schroder was instructed to form recommendations, as chairman of the Finance Committee, to assist Chief Nielander.
At the April meeting, under the auspices of the Southgate department, Captain Clore presented his report and the 'runs and moves " were adopted substantially as they are in efect today. The system applies to "second alarms" only and is centrally operated through the Covington Fire tower. When the fire emergency arises, overtaxing the resident department of that town, the chief notifies the Covington tower which, in turn, sounds the alarm in the cities slated to make the run and moves up the companies of other cities slated to make the run and moves up the companies of other cities to replace the "run companies that are off the track." In this manner no territory is left with out protection and ample assistance is extended to the sister city in its emergency. The plan, in all its detail, has been approved by the Actuarial Bureau of the state.
Succeeding meetings of the Association have been held at Ft. Thomas, Erlanger, South Ft. Mitchell, and Elsmere, with scheduled meetings throughout the year to occur at the balance of the stations of the twelve member fire departments of Bromley, Covington, Newport, Bellevue, Dayton, and Clifton. Each meeting has witnessed a continued increase in attendance and the consensus is a splendid undertaking and deserves to be perpetuated.
The term of the present board of officers, composed of Edward Miles, president; J.E. Clore, vice-president; Wm. A. Ruff, Jr., secretary; John H. Schroder, treasurer; and Executive Board composed of Fire Chiefs E.G. Winters, Bellevue; Eli Gibson, Bromley; C.C. Sidell, Clifton; Frank Northcutt, Covington; Clarence Kiefer, Dayton; John Crowell, Elsmere; Andrew Scheben, Erlanger; B. Nielander, Ft. Thomas; A.P. Robinson, Ludlow; Cliff Specht, Southgate; together with Miles of Newport and Schroder of South Ft. Mitchell, will expire in January, 1935."
"Deserves to be perpetuated", words that were truly prophetic. We are proud to say that the mission and vision of these dedicated firefighters of Northern Kentucky has endured and prospered for over 60 years. This association of fire departments has grown through the years with the creation of many new fire departments in the counties of Boone, Campbell, Kenton, and Pendleton, and other emergency service related organizations. Due to the enhancement of females to our rank in modern times, the association name was changed to Northern Kentucky Firefighters Association, which we stand by proudly.
Many individuals deserve credit for the continued success of the NKFA. We would like to recognized a few, who in recent time, have been vital members of our association and also served the KFA in elected positions: Covington Asst. Fire Chief H.G. Bogenschutz, KFA President 1970; Southgate Chief Ray A. Muench, KFA President, 1975; Chief Simon Jewel, KFA President, 1985; Erlanger Asst. Chief Sylvan Smith, KFA President, 1990. Former KFA Vice-President, Chief Robert Becker, Ft. Wright Fire Department, and Chief Bill Martin, Erlanger Fire Department. Retired KFA Secretary's Captain Robert Hebbeler, Ft. Wright, and Chief Don Roberts, Florence Fire Department. Present KFA President John Daley, Campbell County Fire District 1; and KFA Secretary Asst. Chief Dave Jansing, Ft. Mitchell Fire Department.
These are just a few of the many professionals who have given much to the betterment of the fire and emergency services in Northern Kentucky, and throughout our Commonwealth. We only hope that we may be worthy of carrying on the tradition started in 1934, as we steer the NKFA into the 21st century.
