GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S & FIRE

OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION

GLOUCESTER COUNTY EMERGENCY

RESPONSE CENTER

CLAYTON

June 14, 2018

The meeting was called to order by President Cardile at 1930 hours. The

group saluted the flag the invocation was given by Chaplain Tim Nessler.

Address of welcome was given by Director of Fire Services Jim Schmidt.

NEW MEMBERS: None

Hal Brown motion to suspend the normal order of business, seconded by Joe

Petsch, motion passed

TOPIC: Bill Bates from the Fire Academy gave a presentation of the current

props that are new or updated that are available for use at the Academy. He

also spoke that the Academy Instructors will assist the fire companies

training officer, unless your department wants the Academy staff to run your

drill.

MINUTES OF PAST MEETING:

Bill Beckett motion that the minutes of the May meeting be approved as

emailed seconded by Joe Petsch, motion passed.

FREEHOLDER REPORT: Freeholder Chila advised that the County is

sponsoring a shredding event here at the Clayton complex on Saturday June

Joe then advised the group that he will be leaving the Freeholder Board and

will be running for County Surrogate to replace Helene Reed, who passed

away. He could assume the position before the election if appointed by the

Governor. He thanked everyone for all of their support and hopes to be able

to count on our members support in the future.

FIRE MARSHALS REPORT: The following is the report:

The following is my report for the actions taken by the Gloucester County

Fire Marshal’s Office for the period of May 01 to May 30, 2018 and the

totals for the year of 2018.

Inspections for the period: 324 Total for the Year: 958

Fire Safety Permits: 21 Total for the Year: 86

Fire Investigations for the period: 13 Total for the Year: 71

Fire Fatalities for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 1

Fire Scene Injuries for the period: 5 Total for the year: 22

Juvenile Fire setter actions for the period: 2 Total for the Year: 5

Training Sessions for the period: 11 Total for the Year: 19

Fire Extinguisher Inspections: 0 Total for the Year: 1077

Meetings/Lectures/Court for the period: 12 Total for the Year: 46

Fire Prevention Demo for the period: 1 Total for the Year: 2

Fit Testing for Agencies for Period: 3 Total for the Year: 233

Total Actions Taken by the Fire Marshal’s Office to date: 2497

Ed advised that there is a push to have farms inspected they are going to be

inspecting life hazards on the farms and the workers quarters. And that CO

detection is required in all commercial buildings.

Respectfully Submitted;

Edward J. Johnson

Chief County Fire Marshal

County of Gloucester

FIRE ACADEMY REPORT: Bob Hill reported that:

Gloucester County Chief’s Association

FIRE ACADEMY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

REPORTING MONTH: June 2018

GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE ACADEMY

 FIREFIGHTER 1

 Spring semester completed with

8 adults

5 Juniors graduating

Joseph Wilson of the Ewan Fire Company was recognized for both

practical skills and Academic excellence. Matthew Eggink of the Star

Cross Fire Company was elected by his class to receive the Vernon

Evans memorial award.

Registration for the fall semester is now open. The fall semester will

begin with orientation night to take place on Friday August 10. The

academy is once again offering a junior program. The number of

contact hours for juniors has increased to include more hands-on

activities. Any department sending a junior is asked to send a

representative with the junior member.

Comment on Matt’s survey and message. Introduce weekend

program.

Pros, and cons

As you hopefully have new recruits who are planning to attend a

recruit program this fall, I offer just a few examples of how your

academy continues to be a leader in education and training:

 Our program offers training and education that goes beyond the

written text in that our program incorporates the reality of the

fireground. For example, there are other ways of tying tools

for raising and lowering than what is shown in the book, the

proper climbing angle of a ladder is not always 70-75 degrees,

and primary searches do not conform to the rule of keeping a

shoulder against a wall.

 Our prop for developing search and rescue skills is the only one

I am aware of that has real furniture for the student to search

around, under and on top of.

 Our roof simulator allows training at various climbing angles

from flat to 45 degrees. Others are fixed.

 We are the only academy I know of that teaches students how

to safely operate both chain and circular saws. Consider that

when you need a member to cut a tree limb to clear a road.

 As many of you have seen our Mayday prop is challenging.

 Smaller class sizes equate to attention that is more personal.

 Greater flexibility for students to make up missed classes.

 More open communication and more responsive to inquiries

from fire chiefs.

 Activities that require recruits to move above or below the point

of entry are still completed at Camden County.

 Our instructional staff have the knowledge, experience, and

abilities to deliver the material in such a way that makes

practical sense.

 There is no cost to your agency.

FIRE ACADEMY GENERAL BUSINESS

TRAINING & EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

Meeting next week.

DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY:

Successful NJ Weekend. 2019 June 8-9

Respectfully submitted

Robert V Hill Sr.

Director II

Bob spoke on a letter that he had received regarding the Fire Fighter

graduation held recently at Camden County. Bob spoke on possibly having

a weekend firefighter 1 class. After some discussion Bob is going to modify

the fall firefighter 1 class to be a weekend only class.

G.C. EMERGENCY RESPONSE REPORT: Fire Services Director Jim

Schmidt advised that in the upcoming months that Mike Gallagher and

himself will be reaching out to the fire departments to make appointments to

meet with the Chief’s and Officers to look at the run assignments or run

cards to try to standardize the run cards in the County.

The Pro Phoenix team will now be comprised of Chuck Murtaugh and Jay

Jones. Chuck is to be called for any pro phoenix issues.

In the next couple of weeks, they will be changing the highway boxes, they

ask that you work with them on this project.

FIRE COORDINATION: Nothing to report

NEPTUNE: Nothing to report

HAZ-MAT: Nothing to report

GLOUCESTER COUNTY EMS: No Report

N. J. DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY: No Report

N.J. STATE FIREMEN’S RELEIF ASSOCIATION: Glenn Roemmich

reported that effective July 1

the death benefit will now be $ 11,750.00 and

starting January 1

, 2019 the Home Health Care will be $ 700.00 per month.

President Frank Gunson announced at our last Executive Committee

Meeting in Wildwood that he will not be running for re-election due to

personal matters. Secretary Kevin Finnegan and 1

Assistant Secretary Jake

Genovay will not be running for re-election either. The cutoff date to have

your petition into the State Office was June 1

. The following members are

running for Office at the convention in September:

President: Robert F. Ordway

Vice President: Joseph T. Hankins. Ocean County Executive

Committeeman who spear headed the Home Health Aid Program.

Treasurer: Barry J. Osborn

Secretary: Thomas J. Pelaia ran for Secretary 2 years ago

Ass’t Sect.: Brian E. Martone

Ass’t Sect.: Richard K. Dreby. Burlington County Executive

Committeeman

The only Resolution is to allow the Executive Committee to investigate the

practicality of Convention Life Members being allowed to make motions

and vote at Local Association meetings?

The delegate, alternate and life member expenses for Convention will be the

same as last year. The County Caucus will be held on Thursday August 16

at Whitman Square and it will start at 7:00 pm., the doors will open at 6:00

for registration. I will be running for reelection as Executive

Committeeman.

N.J. FIREMENS HOME: Harry Strube stated that they have CO detection

in the home. They are working with the architect on a schedule for

construction of the memory care addition to the home.

N.J. EXEMPT ASSOCIATION: Glenn Roemmich reported that the 2018

Convention will be in Phillipsburg in August. Where Elisa Fantozzi from

Wanaque Fire Department will be elected as the First Female President, 1

Vice-President will be Garrick Miller from Old Bridge and the 2

Vice-

President will be Robert Sweeten from Rio Grande.

LAW & LEGISLATION: Frank Lambing reported that S-5 dealing with

the PERS Pension was vetoed by the Governor.

BANQUET COMMITTEE: Bill Ross reported that the committee had

contacted 3 venues as possible Banquet sites they were Anthony and

Cleopatra’s in Monroe Twp., Auletto’s in Deptford and Masso’s in

Glassboro. Prices were discussed and after a short discussion, Bill Ross

motion that the 2019 Banquet be held at Masso’s in Glassboro seconded by

Joe Petsch, after a hand vote the motion passed.

Mike Gallagher will reach out to the Fire Commissioner in Philadelphia to

be the guest speaker.

AWARDS COMMITTEE: The awards committee is as follows:

Rick Thomas Deptford Fire Department

Glenn Roemmich Paulsboro Fire Department

Joe Petsch Star Cross Fire Company

Bill Beckett Deptford Fire Department

AUDITING COMMITTEE: Nothing to report

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: Nothing to report

BY-LAW COMMITTEE:

The Proposed name change back to: Gloucester County Fire Chief’s

Association was approved by a vote of 45 to 3.

The voting privilege change which was worked on over the past few

months was approved by a vote of 40 to 8.

Once the Secretary has the By-Laws corrected with the changes they will

be posted on the web site.

BEAREAVMENT COMMITTEE: Rick Thomas reported progress as they

continue to assist companies as requested.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

RADIO COMMITTEE: President Cardile advised that the committee has

not met they will over the summer and will work on Engine resource typing.

Also, the tone encoders that the center has purchased are going back to the

manufacturer for upgrades. The hope is to be able to use quick call tones for

all dispatches in the future.

TECH RESCUE: Secretary has not received a report

TENDER TASK FORCE: No Report

FOAM STRIKE TEAM: Jeff Pfeiffer advised that nothing new to report.

LARGE DIAMETER HOSE TASK FORCE: Nothing to Report

TRAINING/FIRE ACADEMY COMMITTEE: President Cardile

advised that he and Bob Hill had met with Vice president Nick Burzichelli,

and Dean Madden regarding a new burn building, the issue is not dead

however funding must be found. Chapter 12 money can be used however

that has been allocated for the next 3 years. They realize hat upgrades are

needed, but the County Fire Departments must support and use the facilities

that are there now. If we do not support what is there now.

ST. FLORIAN COMMITTEE: No Report

LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE: President Cardile advised that the

committee would be:

Eli Hall East Greenwich Fire/Rescue

Jim Schmidt G.C.E.R.C.

Anthony Baldasaro Malaga Fire Company

Mike Gallagher G.C.E.R.C.

Bill Bates Gibbstown Fire Department

STAFFING ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: Will give a presentation at

the September meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE: None

PAYMENT of BILLS: None

TREASURER’S REPORT:

GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S

AND

FIRE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

TREASURER’S REPORT

June 14, 2018

CHECKING ACCOUNT

REPORTING MONTH(S) May 2018

STARTING BALANCE …………..……….. $ 11,884.77

DEPOSIT ……………………..……….…… $ 249.00

EXPENSES……………………….…….…… $ 500.00

ENDING BALANCE………………….……. $ 11,633.77

RECEIPTS

Deposit … …………………………………… $ 90.00

Deposit ………………………………………..$ 159.00

TOTAL RECEIPTS……………………….…..$ 249.00

EXPENSES

Helene Reed Scholarship….……….…………..$ 500.00

EXPENSES…………………..…………………$ 500.00

CHECKING ACCOUNT BALANCE AS OF THIS DATE: $ 11,633.77

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED

ROBERT V HILL SR.

Bill Ross motion to accept the treasurer’s report seconded by

Ed Johnson, motion passed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Rick Thomas motion to add $ 341.00 to the

amount collected at the St. Florian Service to be donated to the Emerald

Society, seconded by Archie Roemmich, motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS: Hal Brown motion to donate $250.00 to the Fire

Academy for rope or webbing for the students, seconded by Ed Johnson,

motion passed.

CAMPTOWN: $ 91.00

GOOD & WELFARE OF THE ASSOCIATION:

Jason Spring a dispatcher from the center is still missing. Asking to keep

him and his family in your prayers.

PLACE OF NEXT MEETING: September 20

Gloucester County Fire

Academy in East Greenwich Township at 1930 hours.

Roll Call Taken

Ed Johnson motion to adjourn seconded by Anthony Baldasaro

motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 2110 hours.

Respectfully Submitted

Glenn Roemmich

Secretary