Hansen Receives Award at Fire Service Convention

 

October 27, 2021

Attending her second Chiefs' Convention, Renella Hansen expressed pleasure in her husband Kraig's award.

After fifteen years of service to the Montana Fire Chiefs' Association Board and to the Montana State Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, Kraig Hansen has decided to retire from his leadership roles with both organizations. He was awarded for his service at this year's Montana Fire Service Convention held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula, October 14-16.

This year's convention was a collaboration between the Montana State Fire Chiefs' Association (MSFCA) and the Montana State Volunteer Firefighter Association (MDVFA). Hansen is a member of both organizations, having performed as the MSFCA Board Second Vice Chair and the MDVFA President.

Serving those who lead Montana's fire and rescue services, the MSFCA is a professional membership association comprised of fire service personnel at all levels: paid firefighters, combination departments, and volunteers. Reorganized in 2008 for a fair representation, three chiefs from each level serve on the Board. Where there used to be conflict between paid and volunteer firefighters, the Board reorganization changed that, according to Hansen. The Association encourages and supports its membership through training, seminars, legislative representation, and other resources.

"It's quite an organization, with Chiefs from Billings, Big Sky, and Great Falls as well as smaller communities," Hansen stated. "Even though we're a group of Chiefs, we provide a voice for all firefighters. Because we're there to work for firefighters in Montana, we listen to any concerns or problems and then make every effort to resolve them or to change any issues that we can legislatively. To do that, we have a paid lobbyist who works to curb bills that aren't good for firefighters. We also plan the convention and respond to training needs, including hands-on fire training and leadership training."

Likewise, the MDVFA brings information to the forefront for those who volunteer to protect life and property. The organization provides programming, nationwide training, and district information that will better equip firefighters and their departments. Another area volunteer firefighter, Grant Stout in Harlem serves on the MDVFA Board of Directors as the Vice President for District 5.

When asked whether he had any advice for his predecessor, Hansen responded: "I'd like to see Steve Lauer from Libby as MDVFA President.

He currently sits on the Volunteer Board. We have monthly Zoom meetings or conference calls that often get scheduled for 10:30 in the morning, and sometimes it's just hard to make that happen when I'm sitting in a combine. Seven o'clock in the evening would be a better time. Maybe I'm just getting tired."

Hansen received his award at an Awards Banquet on Friday night. Other highlights of the convention for Hansen and his wife Renella included hearing nationally known motivational speaker Jason Redman. A retired Navy SEAL Lieutenant, Redman shared a presentation entitled "Four Principles of Elite Performance."

"Telling a story about an airplane that had a mechanical issue that required all the passengers to deplane, Jason Redman basically redefined a bad day. While people grumbled and complained about the inconvenience of having to board and then get off, Redman said he was happy that the situation was discovered before take-off, saying: 'If that tuna can is not fixed, lives can be lost.' Some people just don't understand what a bad day is," Hansen laughed.

The Awards Banquet was followed by a concert highlighting Nashville sensation Tony Jackson. A former U.S. Marine, Jackson is often compared to Randy Travis. With his guitar flourishes and his emotionally-charged and engaging voice, Jackson captures audiences with songs like the memory-stirring homage to Merle Haggard, Hank Williams Jr. and Willie Nelson in "They Lived It Up."

In addition to the typical committee meetings, forums, and updates, the Conference featured sessions on topics such as recruitment and retention, health and wellness, community risk reduction, wildfire risks, policy, and several hands on demonstrations and exercises. Various vendors also displayed their products and services throughout the entire convention.

With his retirement, Hansen admitted that he will miss the camaraderie of the friendships he developed over the years in his leadership with the MSFCA and the MDVFA. He also confirmed that he wouldn't yet be retiring from his position with the Chinook Volunteer Fire Department.

 
 

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