We would like to publish your news items to share with other chaplains. Send your news at chaplainjim@gmail.com Don’t be modest about your accomplishments, share them with us.
Special Recognition to our Command Chaplain
Mayor Perkins recognized Mike Perser for his outstanding work to make Shreveport a better place through his tireless service. Congratulations Chief for your recognition.
A Louisiana Fire Chaplain Memorial
We are currently receiving donations for a Louisiana Fire Chaplains Memorial plaque displayed on the grounds of the Louisiana Firefighters Memorial grounds in Baton Rouge. A 30″x24″ bronze casting plaque with 21 spaces for individual name plates will be a lasting reminder of the service and dedication of Louisiana fire chaplains. It will include the fire chaplain’s prayer and the names of all who have gone before us. You can send a check to Louisiana Fire Chaplain Network or you may make your donation today via the link below:
www.aplos.com/aws/giving/LouisianaFireChaplainNetwork/payonline
Command Chaplain Retires
Jim Burns, Command Chaplain and
co-founder of the Louisiana Fire Chaplain Network in 2011 is retiring from his active duty in May of 2019. Jim has served as Regions Chaplain for the Federation of Fire Chaplains, a Regional Director in the Great Lakes Region (IL, IN, OH, MI and WI) co-founder of Indiana Fire Chaplain Corps and served as a fire and police chaplain in the field for several years. He has volunteered as a chaplain for several other fire departments.
New Command Chaplain
New Command Chaplain Michael Perser will officially take command at the Change of Command Ceremony, July 17, 2019 at 11:00 Am on Memorial Grounds at 8181 Independence Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA
Command Chaplain Jim Burns who has served as Command Chaplain from inception of the LFCN will transfer his duties and responsibilities during this ceremony..
Please pray for Michael as he takes on this new responsibility.
FFC Chaplain Training Institute was held on March 8-9 at State Fire Marshal Complex in Baton Rouge with with 8 new chaplains doing their basic fire chaplain training. Great new members of the fire chaplain family.
100th New Member
At the Spring Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy class April 7-8 at the Ruston Fire Department we welcomed our 100th new member, Chris Kirst of the West Baton Rouge Fire District 1. We welcome Chris to the fire chaplain family.
New Essentials Class April 7 – 8, 2017 in Ruston, LA
Twelve chaplains completed the basic training for fire chaplains in Ruston April 7-8. A great class with 10 new chaplains and two chaplains who did a refresher course. A great time of learning, sharing and forming lasting relationships. Thanks for a great Essentials class.
SHARING A link about Mesothelioma information for firefighters.
The only volunteer outreach mission to cancer victims for veterans and firefighters who give a wide range of information. This site covers some valuable resources about mesothelioma, what causes mesothelioma, symptoms, types, stages, prognosis, life expectancy, most common treatments, therapies, doctors, top cancer treatment centers, law firm advice, videos and more. It is like a one-stop-shop for all the information you need at no cost to you. Check it out.
www.TreatMesothelioma.org
H. Butch Browning re-appointed as State Fire Marshal
Congratulations to Chief H. Butch Browning for being re-appointed by the incoming governor to continue as our State Fire Marshal.
Butch is a friend of the fire service chaplains and the people of Louisiana.
Thanks Butch for all your service to the people of our state.
News Flash….. FFC now has the FFC Fire Chaplain Training Manual via USB stick for half the cost of the printed manual and much more convenient Every chaplain needs a copy of the Training Manual as a ready reference. Check it out now at www.firechaplains.org .
New Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy Instructor in Louisiana
Wayne Hunt completed his solo instructor at Montegut, Louisiana Essentials class February 19-20, 2016. Dr. Bill Lotz, Institute Director of the FFC Training Institute, presented Wayne his instructor number (#064) and certificate as a Level III Instructor. Congratulations Wayne!!
Michael Perser has completed his student-instructor class at the Essentials of Fire Chaplaincy class at Ruston, LA and Jim Duncan
has presented his instructor number # 080 as an instructor. Congratulations Michael!
The Louisiana Fire Chaplain Network has taken the plunge into the challenge coin
collection and exchange. We have joined the fire service in giving a challenge coin in saying “Thank You” to those who have given above and beyond service. You may download information and order below: LFCN Challenge Coin Order 2
YOU MAY NOW BE ABLE TO MAKE ONLINE PAYMENTS!!
We have entered the 21st century finally. You may now make DONATIONS to our organization, PAY YOUR DUES,, or PAY CLASS TUITION online by clicking the link below:
www.aplos.com/aws/give/LouisianaFireChaplainNetwork/payonline
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LFCN PATCHES AND DOOR SIGNS
We are now offering shoulder patches and a magnetic sign for your POV when you are making chaplain calls. The prices are on link below. Click the link below and check out these LFCN items
LFCN-Patches-and-Door-Magnet A
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Louisiana Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service will be on April 7, 2018 at 11:00 Am on the Memorial Grounds at the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s complex in Baton Rouge, LA.
Bill Lotz, Director of FFC Training Institute, introduced at the 36th Annual Conference of the Federation of Fire Chaplains, several chaplains who completed their Master Level Chaplaincy during 2014. Left to right are: Cecil Tatum, Lexington, KY; Ray Parker, Kamloops, BC; Gilbert Chard, Kingsport, TN; Daniel Clegg, Fishers, IN; Jerry Kennedy, Keithville, LA; Bill Lotz, director and Jill Chambers, Pittsburg, KS. Congratulations to those who have earned 130+ hours of chaplaincy training required for master level chaplaincy.
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LFCN has a new Table Top display to be used at fire service events and other event to share our mission and ministries.
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Congratulations to Chaplain Mark Miles from Baton Rouge Fire Department was recently promoted to new Public Information Officer. Mark will continue to serve as chaplain. Thanks for Mark for all his service and best wishes to his new assignment.
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Congratulations to James A. “Butch” Savage for his new position at LSU FETI. We hope being Butch at FETI will be able to put CISM into regular curriculum for all fire department in the state, and will be available to us for CISM there. Thanks for all your services as chaplain and best wishes for his new position with FETI.
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CONGRATULATIONS JERRY KENNEDY…
Congratulations to Jerry Kennedy, chaplain for Caddo Parish Fire District #4 who received his ADVANCED FIRE CHAPLAINCY certificate from William Lotz, Institute Training Director, FFC. Jerry is now entitled to use MASTER CHAPLAIN behind his name.
A Master Chaplain has completed 130+ hours of training and experience in the chaplaincy. Jerry has received a way over the 130. He was a chaplain and chaplain instructor for the UAW for several years. We’re glad to welcome you to MASTER CHAPLAIN JERRY G. KENNEDY with the LFCN.
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Congratulations to Clifford Person, chaplain with Sandy Hill and New Llano Fire Departments in Vernon Parish, who was recently ordained to the gospel ministry and appointed as pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 2160 Houston St., Alexandria.
Pastor Person will tentatively be installed August 10th. Our prayers are with you as you take on this new appointment.
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LFCN board adopted and authorized paying-dues members to wear this new badge on their uniforms during their line of duty as a fire service chaplain.
If you would like to order a badge, you may may download an order form here
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One of the things we want to do through the Network is to share news you might be interested in. Check out the Added Items for Your Chaplain’s Tool Kit below.
Added Items for Your Chaplains Tool Kit
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Check out this site www.firefightingNews.com with fire rescue news, Fire Department
Directory, buyers guide and more. Firefighter news are current and up to date with
LODD, major fires. This is one I like to check out daily.
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Check out the Federation of Fire Chaplains website: www.firechaplains.org
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Federation of Fire Chaplains Challenge Coins
The fire chaplaincy has adopted the symbols of the military and fire service in having our own FFC challenge coins. See the link below about the availability of FFC Challenge Coins.
FFC Challenge Coins Available 1
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Louisiana Fire Chaplain Network is growing all across the state. We have assigned 102 badge numbers of chaplain members. We have 90+ active members with all 9 Regions of the State. However, we still need a number of areas in the state where we don’t have chaplains.
If you know of potential chaplains in this area, please speak to them and share the vision for being a fire department chaplain.
Sharing an article about the Breavement Uniform Program for firefighters developed by the Lighthouse Uniform Company in Seattle, Washington by Steve Cohen, President of Lighthouse. Thanks so much to Steve for helping firefighters and fire chaplains over the
years. Check out this link below for this magazine article.
Bereavement Uniform Program Magazine article 2.0 (1)
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Grant Parish Fire District 3 dedicated a new Fire and Life Safety Education trailer on September 20 of last year. This new program has a lot of potential for saving many lives. If you would like to look into providing a trailer for your area, contact Vice President Shane Anderson, he’d love to share how they did it.
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Lou Gordon, Immediate Past President of the LFCN, was selected by secrete ballot of members of the department as Officer of The Year 2012 of the Alpine Volunteer Fire Department. Congratulations, Lou. Lou was recently asked to be chaplain for the Fire Chiefs Association in Avoyeles Parish.
Lou’s new pic
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Bob Braly gets a new chaplaincy
Bob Braly, chaplain for the Alexandria Police and Fire Departments and the State Police, recently took part in the groundbreaking of a new Fire Station in St. Landry Parish at Big Cane, LA. The chief invited Bob to take part in the groundbreaking. The new station is about 6 miles from the church Bob pastors. This new station will provide better fire protection and help insurance rates for people in Big Cane. Also the chief asked Bob to become their chaplain. Bob recruited a local pastor to be Chaplain there. Congratulations, Bob! And may God bless you as you continue to serve those who serve.
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Louisiana firefighters and friends can now visit the Loyd Rockhold Memorial Fountain on the Memorial Grounds of the State Fire Marshall compound which was dedicated last year.
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Fire Chief/Chaplain, Fire Emergency Services, Directorate of Emergency Services, Fort Polk, LA retired last year but Mike is not sitting down in a rocking chair, he started the Vernon Parish Fire District Chaplain Corps and has created a corps of chaplains to cover the whole parish. He has founded the Vernon Parish Fire Honor Guard, the Flying Squad for LFCN, and is a member of our Board of Directors for the Louisiana Fire Chaplain Network. Congratulations!
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Great News !
Congratulations to Vernon Parish Fire District #1 Fire Chaplains Corps for organizing their local corps, establishing a mission statement, and are providing effective mutual-aid chaplaincy service to their area departments. Chief Michael Kuk is heading up this new group. Our goal is to have groups like Vernon Parish Fire District #1 develop their own chaplaincy programs all over the state of Louisiana. If you would like to develop a group in your parish, Chief Kuk would love to share you how you can do it.
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We recently added several new Members to our roster. See the membership page for all those who are now a part of our chaplain family in Louisiana. You can click on the link on the page and download the roster on your computer so you can put faces and names together.
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Russell Aucoin has resigned as the Regions position to coordinate the regions of the state due to health challenges.
We are working toward having Regional Coordinators for each of our 9 regions of the state. We have confirmed Wayne Hunt in Region 3 –Houma area; Butch Savage in Region 1 – New Orleans area; Michael Kuk in Region 6 – CenLa Area; David Stephens in Region 7–Northwest Area; and Tommie Woods in Region 8 – Northeast Area. We are now recruiting for each of the Regions -2, 4, 5, and 9. We will even accept volunteers. If the Lord calls you to this ministry, contact me. I’d love to talk with you. 318-419-7278
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FUNDING FUNDING FUNDING FUNDING FUNDING FUNDING needs funds to move toward more active services.
We would like some ideas for doing FUND RAISING for our state organization. Our dues are only $20.00 per year, which will NOT adequately cover the cost of our ministries as we are moving toward more active services.
We are a 501(c)(3) organization and contributions are deductible and are qualified to receive deductible bequests, devices, transfers or gifts under IRS codes. Please share some ideas to Secretary Burns chaplainjim@gmail.com
And, seek contributions from churches, firefighters, businesses, and friends to help us moving this organization forward. Share the website to a friend so they can see what we do, and ask them to consider giving.
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Page Updated 10/26/15