500 firefighters in city for meeting|[6/10/05]

Published 12:00 am Friday, June 10, 2005

About 24 fire trucks from all over the state have pulled into Vicksburg for the 68th annual Mississippi Fire Chiefs and Firefighters Conference at the Vicksburg Convention Center.

Five hundred firefighters and their families are expected to be in town for the weekend festivities, said Deputy Chief Mark Ettinger of the Vicksburg Fire Department, which is hosting the convention.

The Mississippi Firefighters Association was first organized as the Mississippi State Fireman’s Association by municipal fire chiefs who made a trip to Memphis after World War I to attend the International Fire Chief’s Association Convention.

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The state group was organized Feb. 15, 1923, in Jackson. In 1924, the Mississippi Fireman’s Relief and Pension Fund became law.

Since, conventions have been held in Mississippi for firefighters to discuss legislative topics, honor fallen firefighters and socialize.

The Mississippi chiefs arrived Wednesday for a reception and board meeting. Ettinger said membership meetings were held throughout the day Thursday for the chiefs.

Committee meetings began today at 9 a.m. for firemen and chiefs. Forty-five vendors, displaying fire equipment, have been at the VCC, showing trucks and supplies.

A barbecue will be at 6 tonight at Horizon Casino with Easy Eddie & the Party Rockers. The public is invited, Ettinger said.

The conference will conclude with a banquet Saturday evening. A memorial service for fallen firefighters will be at 9 Saturday morning at the convention center.