OS91 Chaplains' Luncheon

CH Kurt Hilton of Windermere PD and CH Lonnie Crawford, Orlando FD

at OS91 Chaplains Luncheon

Operation Safety 91 began about 4 1/2 years ago with a vision to honor and protect America's Protectors, those brave men and women who put themselves in harms way to rescue, defend, and protect us. Sr. Chaplain Andrew Wade of Orlando Police Department was on board helping us the very first month and he was instrumental in getting Chaplain Lonnie Crawford of Orlando Fire Department hooked up with us almost immediately. Chaplain Lonnie brought on Josh Sauers, Chaplain of Winter Garden and Ocoee Fire Departments. Finally Chaplain Lyle Schmeiser of Chapter 16 Disabled American Veterans. With these Chaplains OS91 began and we love them dearly. They saw our vision of Psalm 91 cards for Responders 3 years before the cards were ever made and distributed. 

Then in the end of June of 2009 we received an email from a Police Department Chaplain who was introduced to our organization by a local Hospital Chaplain. This PD Chaplain wrote: "I was at your presentation at the OCSO building in the beginning of June. I like what you are doing and have already given my officers copies of the book Psalm 91. I would love to assist your endeavors as a partner Chaplain. Thank you and God Bless you for the wonderful job you are doing." And that is how our devoted Board Member Chaplain Kurt Hilton, came on board. We have been blessed with Men of God who love Responders and who see such a need for what OS91 does. 

Of course, during our past 4 1/2 years we have been connected to so many partner Chaplains all over the country, as well as in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Africa, who spread the Psalm 91 message by the distribution of the Psalm 91 cards and books. You are OS91's hands to get this life saving message to your Responders. We appreciate your partnership so much!

We are so grateful to God for our local OS91 Chaplains as well as our partner Chaplains all over the country and the world. As we say: "Together we can do so much more than separately!"

CH Lonnie Crawford presented with OFD decal and lights for his vehicle

Adopt-A-Chaplain Pack Team with Psalm 91 cards

Adopt-A-Chaplain Pack Team with Psalm 91 cards

Adopt-A-Chaplain http://adopt-a-chaplain.org/ "is a Christ-centered ministry, the only national charity that exclusively serves deployed chaplains. Their goal is to provide prayer and spiritual support for the chaplains themselves and to provide tangible support that will enable chaplains to more effectively minister to the soldiers they serve." Operation Safety 91 has been connected to Adopt-A-Chaplain for at least two years now and literally thousands and thousands of Psalm 91 cards have reached our troops through the devotion of Ben Ferguson and his team. "Together we can do so much more than separately!"


We so appreciate this partnership and each and every member who so generously give of themselves so that our chaplains may have the support they need as they minister to the troops. Ed and I send each of you a great big hug with a heart full of gratitude! A special thank you to Kevin for the photo! 

Winter Garden Chili Cook-Off

L to R: Ed Ganster, Joe, Nicky (son of UNO Manager Nick) Theresa and Jane

Winter Garden, FL hosted their annual Chili Cook-Off Event to raise funds for the American Cancer Society this afternoon and UNO's Chicago Grill invited us to be with them to distribute info about our upcoming 2nd "Doughraiser" being held at the Winter Garden UNO Restaurant between Sunday, April 22 and Sunday April 29, 2012.

Ed with OS91 friend,

Winter Garden Fire Chief John Williamson

Friend of OS91, Fire Chief John Williamson was the Emcee of the Event and made his way over to see Ed and Mary when he had a moment. And what a crowd turned out to eat chili and vote! 

WGFR enters Chili Cook-Off!

Winter Garden Firefighter Jeff made his famous chili and of course we all tested it; his was one of the first to run out! 

Many thanks to UNO's Chicago Grill for their great chili... but most of all for their partnership to help Operation Safety 91 help Responders!

OS91 meets with RESPONDER LIFE

L to R: Ed Ganster, Ronnie Rivera, Chris Green, Terry, Trey Doty

What a wonderful meeting Ed and I had today with RESPONDER LIFE! http://www.responderlife.com/  RESPONDER LIFE  was formed "to support and strengthen the Families of all First Responders, including Firefighters, Police Officers, Emergency Medical Professionals, 911 Dispatchers, and other Responders serving in City, County, State and Federal Agencies". This connection began about 2 years ago when Ronnie Rivera, head of EMERGENCY WORKERS FOR CHRIST, was connected to Operation Safety 91 through LT Tommy Neiman of Port St. Lucie Fire District in Ft. Pierce, FL. Tommy is also the Florida head of the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International. http://www.tommyneiman.com/  Thank you so much, Tommy!

Ronnie has been distributing the Psalm 91 books and cards during these two years, as well as attending our Events in Orlando, so he knows first hand the similarities of the mission of his Ministry and OS91's. Recently Responder Life became introduced to and has partnered with EMERGENCY WORKERS FOR CHRIST, and made Ronnie the Regional Director of what is now RESPONDER LIFE FLORIDA . Ronnie set up a meeting introducing Chris Green, the President and CEO of RESPONDER LIFE, Trey Doty the Executive Vice President as well as Terry, their wonderful Florida strategic partner, to Ed and Mary, and to OS91.

So now RESPONDER LIFE FLORIDA is partnering with OPERATION SAFETY 91 to reach their Responders with Psalm 91 cards! We are so grateful for this new connection, giving us this opportunity for outreach to Protectors with God's Covenant of Protection, Psalm 91.

. Ronnie Rivera with Mary

Fire Rescue East 2012, Day 2

 

Ed with our good friend, Chief Derryl O'Neal of Minneola FD

and Chief's friend all see each other at Fire Rescue East

Day 2 of Fire Rescue East brought more reunions of old friends and making of new friends. We so appreciate our good friend, Chief Derryl O'Neal of Minneola FD who has been such a blessing to OS91 for several years now! 

FCFI members Tommy Nieman (Ft. Pierce) and Trevor Nelson (Jville)

with his family join Gay Reynolds, FCFI President

Speaking of friends: our partners at the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International were about 8 booths down from us, so we were able to borrow Psalm 91 books when we ran out! We were blessed to see again our friend, LT Tommy Nieman, author of Sirens Of The Cross http://www.tommyneiman.com/ and Regional head of FCFI Florida as well as Captain Chaplain Trevor Nelson, head of the Jacksonville FCFI, who blessed OS91 by his presence and his support at our 4th Annual Tribute to Honor America's 1st Responders. And what a wonderful family he has!

Explorers! Of course they received the 

Psalm 91 books and cards!

And finally.... guess who stole the show...all 3 lbs of her!

OS91 at 2012 Fire Rescue East Convention

Ed Ganster of OS91 with Jonathan Lamm,

LT of the Honor Guard and Team Commander, Clay County

OPERATION SAFETY 91 is currently attending one of our very favorite Conventions of the year, Fire Rescue East being held at Daytona Beach, FL January 20 - 21, 2012. Our very own Winter Garden Fire Chief John Williamson, the President of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association http://www.ffca.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1  paved the way for our attendance and we certainly are among friends! We love our Firefighters, and they are so appreciative of our efforts! We had wonderful moments today when Firefighters came up to our booth and told us what they did with the Psalm 91 cards and books after they received them last year. And, of course, we made many more new friends today. 

Gay and Sue Reynolds, Presidents of the 

Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International

with Psalm 91 cards and books

Plus we have had a great reunion with our dear partners and friends, the President of the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International (FCFI), Gay and his dear wife, Sue Reynolds. This couple has been a major partner with Operation Safety 91 during the past 3 1/2 years, distributing the Psalm 91 books and now the Psalm 91 cards, all throughout FCFI. http://fellowshipofchristianfirefighters.com/

Back for more Psalm 91 books this year!

A few Firefighters came back this year for "seconds" so to speak. This wonderful Firefighter pictured above, picked up a Psalm 91 book for herself last year and ended up sending it to a soldier in Afghanistan. This year, she came back to restock!

One more day to go; looking forward to a great day tomorrow!

OS91 brings Battalion Chief Seigler to speak

to New Hope Christian Academy Students

Longtime partner and friend of Operation Safety 91, Orange County Fire Battalion Chief Scott Seigler agreed to come to to speak to the students of New Hope Christian Academy of Minneola, FL, http://www.newhopeca.org/ this afternoon. It was wonderful! This is part of Operation Safety 91's School Visit Program to educate our youth about Responders, what they do and the risk involved in their professions. 

Chief Seigler spoke about the calling of a Firefighter, and what is involved in terms of education as well as risk. He explained the different levels including EMT and Paramedic as well as the responsibility he now shoulders as Battalion Chief.

Battalion Chief Seigler also shared with the students his participation in the Ministry of "Builders For Christ", a group of men, women and children serving the Lord in the Mission Field of Church Construction http://www.buildersforchrist.org/. Chief Seigler has volunteered with this organization for many years now using his vacation to build Churches in different parts of the U.S. 

A question/answer time followed with many excellent questions being addressed by the students. Chief's wife, Susan, former Firefighter, was introduced to the students as well.

A most heartfelt Thank You from OS91 to you, Chief Scott, for sharing with these wonderful young people! 

Chief explains the different helmets of Firefighters

Meeting with COL Danny McKnight

OS91 National Spokesperson, COL Danny McKnight (Ret.) 

of Black Hawk Down with Ed Ganster

Ed and I were so honored and privileged today to have lunch with our National Spokesperson, COL Danny McKnight, USA (Ret.), the American hero portrayed in the movie, "Black Hawk Down". Wonderful plans are being made for upcoming events for Operation Safety 91. COL McKnight loves OS91 and its mission as well as our  Psalm 91 cards, which he distributes to his fellow soldiers.

One Final Wish

http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1298199044001&odyssey=mod%7cnewswell%7ctext%7cFRONTPAGE%7cfeatured

Christmas gifts to WGFD from OS91

One of Operation Safety 91's favorite things to do: visit our Winter Garden Fire Stations at Christmas and take gifts for all 3 shifts of Firefighters here. Thank you to our local Firefighters and all our Responders who serve us so selflessly and faithfully all year.  We love and appreciate you!

When you work in Central Florida, 

iced tea mix is a great Christmas gift!

A letter to Operation Safety 91

" Thanks for The Psalms 91 resources. They have blessed so many people and enhanced their faith. Your mission to promote Christianity and the teachings of the Bible comes to life as each individual remembers what the cross stands for and that by God's grace we can trust His promises in Psalms 91..."