Liberty Fire Captain, Raymond L. McElwee, 56, passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer for most of this year.   His diagnosis was determined to be caused as a result of his profession and is recognized as a line of duty death.  He was a 26-year veteran of the Liberty Fire Department.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, from 11:00 AM till 1:00 PM at Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, located at 1600 NE Cookingham Drive, Liberty, MO.

Funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM. Online Condolences can be made here.

Funeral procession will follow after the service. The funeral procession will leave Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, drive past Fire Station 2, where McElwee was stationed, and on to Cowgill Cemetery. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 1, 2025

Governor Kehoe Announces Application for Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act Scholarship is Now Open

Public safety personnel and their dependent children urged to apply now to be considered for the 2025-2026 school year 

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Today, Governor Mike Kehoe announced that the application for Missouri's Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act Scholarship is now open. Established through Senate Bill 71, sponsored by Senator David Gregory and Representative Dave Hinman, the scholarship delivers tuition support for first responders and their families.

The scholarship helps cover the cost of tuition for eligible public safety personnel and their dependent children pursuing a qualifying license, certification, or postsecondary degree from a Missouri public or independent college or university or a Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) accredited training provider.

“The Public Safety Recruitment and Retention Act Scholarship provides support and a path toward a quality education for Missouri’s dedicated public safety professionals and their children,” said Governor Kehoe. “We know that the recruitment and retention of first responders is a major concern across our state, so that's why we are proud to invest in the future of those who have made incredible sacrifices for our communities and who help keep Missourians safe. We appreciate the members of the General Assembly for supporting this scholarship and delivering real support to first responder families.”

Full-time police officers, firefighters, paramedics, telecommunicator first responders, emergency medical technicians, and advanced emergency medical technicians with at least six years of service may be eligible to receive the scholarship. Additionally, the dependent children of those with at least 10 years of service may also qualify. Applicants must also meet certain eligibility requirements, including be a Missouri resident and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

“The Public Safety Recruitment & Retention Act Scholarship will offer public safety personnel and their children a cost-effective opportunity to invest in their future by earning a certificate or degree,” added Dr. Bennett Boggs, Commissioner of the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development. “We are honored to extend this support to the incredibly courageous Missourians committed to protecting our citizens and communities.”

To apply, interested individuals must create an account and complete the application through the State Financial Aid Portal. In addition to the application, individuals will be required to upload and submit documentation verifying employment, Missouri residency, and other eligibility requirements.

The scholarship application and supporting documents must be submitted to the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (MDHEWD) by November 5, 2025, to be considered for the 2025-2026school year. This covers tuition and fees for the entire academic year, including the current fall semester.

Additionally, the scholarship application for the 2026-2027 school year will be available in the State Financial Aid Portal by late October with a statutory deadline of December 15, 2025. Interested individuals will need to apply for the scholarship each academic year to be considered for the award.

For more information about the Public Safety Recruitment & Retention Act Scholarship, visit the MDHEWD website. Detailed information about qualifying majors, eligibility requirements, application instructions, and more is available in the Public Safety Recruitment & Retention Act Scholarship FAQs.

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The Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters is proud to introduce our newest communication tool; the UnionActive™ Mobile Application for Android, iOS Smartphones and Tablets. 

This new technology works in concert with our website.  All this is required to use the Mobile App is to be a registered user with the MSCFF website.  We will soon provide all registered members a link to download the Mobile App via Google Play or iTunes Store thru our website Email system.

If you are not currently a registered member we would like to encourage you to visit our website and register.  Once you have been approved you will have complete access to the latest information regarding Fire Fighter Issues within Missouri right in the palm of your hand.  Please allow 24 to 48 hours to be approved once you have registered.  

Once you download the Mobile App, you will log into the application with the same User Name and Password that you established to access the MSCFF website.  From that point forward each time you launch the Mobile App you are already logged in and can access the Members Only Section of the website via the Mobile App.