Curtis Whitt

Dear members of the Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association,

I would like to thank the membership of the association for the honor to serve as president, and Dublin Volunteer Fire Department for their support and commitment to the association.

We all owe appreciation and gratitude to past president Mark Smith, the members of Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department, the convention committee, and our wonderful vendors, and sponsors, which made the 76^th Annual Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association Convention an enormous success!

The Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association is the unified voice for all the fire departments in Southwest Virginia. It is our responsibility to ensure that all the departments know and understand what it is the association does for them, and to encourage them to become involved in the association. For we are all stronger together than separate.

Fire departments across the region and around the country are dealing with declines in membership. The younger generations seem to be missing the values instilled in past generations for service to community. It is up to us to find a way to instill the desire and passion that we all share for the fire service with the next generations. The youth are our future!

The association’s annual convention is an amazing opportunity to connect with other members of the fire service community. This is a perfect time to build lifelong relationships, share ideas, goals and experiences. By hearing firsthand the successes and struggles of other departments along with training and other resources will make each of us better stewards of the craft.

I hope to see everyone at the 77^th Annual Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association Convention, held at the Meadowview Conference Center and Resort in Kingsport TN, June 16^th – 18^th, 2023.

If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to share any ideas or suggestions, please feel free to contact me via email at: rwall@swvafirefighters.com

Sincerely,

Roy Wall, President

Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association

To the members of the Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association

I would like to start by thanking the Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association for allowing me to be the next president of such an incredible association. I would also like to thank the Blacksburg Volunteer Fire Department for their continued backing and support.

The Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association currently serves 24 counties with about 2,000 active members. I look forward to attending many exciting events representing the association, as we are always looking for ways to reach out and expand our membership and training. I hope to continue to see the association grow and prosper. I encourage each of you to continue your involvement with the association. We could not do any of it without your help.

Additionally, I would like to extend my gratitude to all of our vendors for their continued support. Without you, the association would not have the opportunity to come together for convention and fellowship. Thank you for helping us serve our communities.

I would also like to thank our past president, Mr. Todd Chrisley, the members of the Christiansburg Volunteer Fire Department, and the officers of the association for their hard work and dedication.

Lastly, I would like to invite everyone to join me at the upcoming 76^th Annual Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association Convention. It will be taking place 2022, June 17^th-19^th in Kingsport, TN at the Meadowview Conference Resort & Convention Center. I look forward to seeing each and every one of you there.

If you should have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email at: msmith@swvafirefighters.com

Sincerely,

Mark Smith, President

Southwest Virginia Firefighters Association