Battalion Chief White Named Sedalia Firefighter of the Year

Outgoing Council members and incoming Council members were honored with a reception following Monday night’s 47-minute meeting at the Municipal Building, 2nd and Osage.

Second Ward Councilman Chris Marshall and Fourth Ward Councilman Steve Bloess were presented with plaques to recognize their time serving on Council. Both men decided not to run for reelection. Mayor Dawson offered both the chance to make a closing statement. Neither did.

First Ward Councilman Tom Oldham, Second Ward Councilman Lee Scribner and Fourth Ward Councilwoman Michelle Franklin were each sworn into office separately by City Clerk Jason Myers.

All new and existing Council members were required to sign off  on the City’s Code of Conduct and Fraud Policy, which they did.

Fourth Ward Councilwoman Rhiannon Foster nominated First Ward Councilman Scribner to serve on the Planning and Zoning Commission after he resigned from Board of Appeals and Zoning Board of Adjustment. All were in favor.

Battalion Chief Barry White was named Sedalia’s Firefighter of the Year by Fire Chief Irwin.

“This year’s recipient is someone whose name was brought up to me without hesitation, and by multiple people within the department before I even asked for any nominations, and that speaks volumes for him,” Irwin stated.

“Chief White’s leadership, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence are second to none. His commitment to training, not just for himself, but for every crew that works under him, is a testament to his character and his drive to see this department thrive,” Chief Irwin noted, adding that he has earned respect and admiration from those around him.

White began his career with SFD Sept. 4, 2001. He answered a call to duty to fight terrorism and deployed with the Missouri National Guard once the horror of Sept. 11 happened.

“From day one, he has been someone who has answered when duty calls, no matter what the cost.” Irwin said, adding that Battalion Chief White is simply available anytime he is needed. “He is always there … For him. It’s always about the department or the mission, and never about himself.”

White’s involvement with nearly every specialized team within the SFD proves that no job is beneath him, and no challenge too great when the department needs him.

“Chief White, your tireless work ethic, humility and devotion to service makes you not just a worthy recipient of this award, but one of the most valuable people I’ve ever known,” Chief Irwin told Battalion Chief White.

According to a post by the SFD:

Chief White was on shift here in Sedalia during the September 11th attacks on the Twin Towers. He recalls that day as being hectic, even all this way away from the attacks. White was in the Army reserves at the time and was later deployed in February of 2003 to Iraq, returning in August of 2004.

 

Barry was promoted to Engineer in 2005, Captain in 2009, and Battalion Chief in 2018. In that time, White was either on shift or responded for every major fire except for one, the Mark Twain Apartment fire; Chief White was on vacation and unable to respond.

 

Certifications that White holds are his Missouri Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety Firefighter 1, Firefighter 2, Hazardous Materials Operations, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Rope Rescue Operations, Rope Rescue Awareness, Rope Rescue Technician, Fire Instructor 1, Fire Instructor 2, Fire Officer 1, Fire Officer 2, National Registry of EMT, and Car Seat Technician. We did want to also include an expired certification that Barry had based off of an older standard. Barry was a Hazmat Technician on our old Hazmat Unit and was part of the meth lab destruction team we once had.

 

When asked about career goals, White mentioned he will continue to work on training while staying sharp and fit. He wishes to continue to serve the community while developing the next generation of firefighters to take over when he leaves.

 

Barry started his journey in the fire service in 1991 during an internship while at MO State University. During his internship, with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Barry got hands on training and experience fighting wildland fires in State Parks, specifically Lake Ozark State Park. He fell in love with firefighting.... and training.

 

Barry moved to the Green Ridge in 1996 while working for Sutherlands and began volunteering at the Green Ridge Fire Department. When hiring opened later on, he was encouraged by his friend and neighbor, (current Chief) Matthew Irwin, to apply. The rest is history.

 

Barry claims his favorite part of the job comes in two areas. "I like the challenge and different things that happen every day. It is never the same.". He goes on to say, "I have also gotten to witness huge improvements over the years, especially with training. We take better care of our probationary firefighters now. We send them through the probationary packet and have a whole training program to prepare them.".

 

Hobbies - Spending time with grandkids and family, hiking, nature, trips to Colorado, and being able to work alongside various family members.

 

Favorite Food - Italian food

 

Unique Story - Barry remembers the old green ladder truck that Sedalia used to have. It pre-dated a lot of safety standards there are now. Barry talked about how it was a half cab with old jump seats, and no seat belts. "You were practically hanging out the back of the cab when riding in that thing.". Chief White went on to remark, "It was just yesterday I was the youngest guy here and in the blink of an eye I'm one of the oldest, real quick."

 

Council then passed an ordinance amending City Code regarding public participation in open meetings.

Also, under Finance and Administration, Council temporarily extended the boundaries of the Hayden Liberty Center to include the sidewalk and 5th Street in front of the facility so that the Liberty Center can sell alcohol during the 2025 Scott Joplin International Ragtime Festival, scheduled for the last four days of May.

Under Public Works, Council approved a five-year extension of a lease agreement between Parks & Rec and Care Connection, which oversees the Sedalia Senior Center at the Heckart Community Center.

The previous agreement was for three years.

Council then approved the purchase of a Skid Steer Mill Attachment from Foley Equipment at a cost of $28,158.60.

Also, Council approved the purchase of a Kubota Skid Steer from Crown Power and Equipment Company (La Monte) at a cost of $61,320.73.

Also purchased from Crown Power was a Kubota Mini Excavator from Crown Power for the Water Department at a cost of $32,164.64.

In addition, Council approved the purchase of a gooseneck trailer for the Street Department from Truck Country at a cost of $43,024.40.

Council rejected bids for Wayfinder Signage on Monday night. Two bids were received. One from County Distributing dba Express banner and Graphics of Sedalia, and one from Kendall Industries of St. Louis.

One bidder did not acknowledge the addendums, both bidders did not use the correct form, and neither bidder signed and dated the IFB signature page.

The project is being funded through a Missouri Division of Tourism grant with guidance from the Sedalia Convention and Visitors Bureau, who requested the purchase.

There is not enough time to rebid the project within the grant guidelines, it was noted, However, the City can reapply for FY2026, which begins July 1, according to Chief Office Administrator Elizabeth Nations.

Council then passed an ordinance authorizing an infrastructure development agreement by and between City of Sedalia and Holland Holding Company, LLC, reference property at 521 East 3rd.

One vital piece of the agreement is to improve stormwater drainage at the site where the news Boys & Girls Club Teen Center will be built. Ground was “broken” April 5.

The project will tie in with the style of the downtown Sedalia Streetscape project, with decorative street lighting, sidewalk and street work being done as well.

The City agrees to reimburse the developer for certified costs, amortized over a 10-year period in 120 monthly installments at an annual percentage rate of 4.5 %.

Two liquor licenses were renewed Monday night, including:

*Jessica Degen dba El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant, 1400 South Limit, for liquor by the drink and Sunday sales, $750.

*Henry Hatfield dba E Street Bar, 1201 E. 3rd, for liquor by the drink and Sunday sales, $750.

Council then adjourned Sine Die for the plaque presentations, followed by the swearing in of the new officials.

Fourth Ward Councilwoman Rhiannon Foster was elected Mayor Pro Tem, her second time serving in that capacity.

First Ward Councilman Jack Robinson was absent Monday night.

Good & Welfare and Miscellaneous Items were not held at this particular meeting.

Sedalia City Council meets again May 5. The public is invited to attend.