Welcome to the Official Site of the Fraternal Order Of Leatherheads Society
The Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society (F.O.O.L.S.) is an organization started in 1995 by a group of Central Florida Firemen. This group, known today as the Founding F.O.O.L.S., had a passion for not only the camaraderie and brotherhood that is forged between firefighters but the rich tradition and heritage of the Fire Service. Since 1995, this brotherhood has grown to over seven thousand ... (full story & photos)
Open E-Board Positions
Calling all F.O.O.L.S. It is that time of year again. The following position's terms are ending in December. Vice President, Treasurer, and Public Relations Chair (Webmaster) If you are interested in filling one of these positions, please send your letter of intent and resume to Ben at president@foolsinternational.com
A Director of Emergency Services position at 1-800-BOARDUP is available now in your area. Apply Today!, please click here. For a job description please click on the 1800 Boardup logo.
Registration for the 2022 F.O.O.L.S. International Convention hosted by the Brew City F.O.O.L.S. September 26-30, 2022
IS NOW OPEN
Registration Pricing:
Now until December 31st-$150 (EARLY BIRD PRICING)
January 1st until March 31st - $200
April 1st until July 31st- $250
August 1st until September 25th-$300
We will allow last minute registration at the door and that will be $350.
Along with registration, we will charge $50 for go carts, and $50 for significant others.
New Year 2020 President's Message
2020! A quarter century for the Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society! As the newly appointed President of the International E-Board, I wanted to send you all a New Year's greeting and thank those of you as well who have sent your encouragement and good will to the members of the board for the coming year. We will be introducing a few new things this year in social media, upgrading the Articles of Association and returning once again to the F.O.O.L.S. beginnings in Florida for the 2020 Convention in Orlando! Your 2020 E-Board is ready to do work and motivated to get it done!
But before we get too excited about the New Year, the other members of the E-board and I would like to look back at the past several years and thank the brother that shaped this new E-board, encouraged us to lend our skills to the task and really turned us loose to bring the organization to the point where it is ready to move ahead in the 2020's!
Richie Stack, was integral to the organization's transition from the Founder's leadership, to the present day. President of the Southside F.O.O.L.S., Richie was appointed to the E-board when the Founders stepped aside at the Seattle Convention in 2008. He has served as Secretary, Treasurer and as President. It is fair to say that the E-Board here today was shaped by his character, his leadership and his love of the F.O.O.L.S. He provided a stabilizing influence to the E-board over these years, helping the Society to find its place in a changing fire service, focusing the E-board's attention on such things as firefighter suicide, depression, supporting chapter success while also remaining true to the F.O.O.L.S. mission. Richie led the E-Board through consensus, listening to our individual opinions and concerns and ensuring that he had agreement before then shouldering the burden of the decision on himself. Once he led us in a decision, he made sure the responsibility was his to answer for. I will always admire him for that. Stack does not side step, he plows through!
Richie has been our friend, and as for me, my dear friend and mentor. It has not been easy for him to walk away from this, and certainly he did not have to. It is a testament to his leadership that he chose to move on, he felt it was time for change and that it was for him to make it. His presence in our company will be missed. We'll be looking for him at convention!
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" -- Proverbs 27:17
Your friend, your brother,
Ben Fleagle
President, Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society
Unraveling Substance Abuse: The Florian Program
Here is a YouTube video from Battalion Chief Dan DeGryse produced by Sons of The Flag. Please check it out. If you are struggling or know someone who is please reach out to the Florian Program or call them at 888-928-5278.