GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S & FIRE

OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION

GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE ACADEMY

EAST GREENWICH TWP.

September 20, 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 Fire Academy Director Bob Hill.

NEW MEMBERS:

Captain Derek Pedersen from the Wenonah Fire Company

1

st

Lieutenant Ryan Sole from the Wenonah Fire Company

Frank Lambing motion to accept the gentleman into the Association,

seconded by Gary Campbell, motion passed.

President Cardile then administered the Oath of Membership to the new

members.

Pat Robinson motion to suspend the normal order of business, seconded by

Fred Lock, motion passed

TOPIC:

Christina Ramos from California Casualty Company spoke on Insurance for

first responders, including vehicle, home, and liability.

Brittany from the Police and Fire Federal Credit Union, spoke on available

accounts and interest on accounts.

MINUTES OF PAST MEETING:

Ed Johnson motion that the minutes of the June meeting be approved as

emailed seconded by Frank Rehman, motion passed.

FREEHOLDER REPORT: Freeholder Chila congratulated the Deptford

Fire Department on their numerous trophies that they won at Wildwood. He

stated that there were some issues at the Communication Center and there

will be a clearer path for direction.

Joe further thanked everyone for the job that they do. He also spoke about

the 9-11 services in both Mantua Township and Harrison Township.

FIRE MARSHALS REPORT: The following are the reports:

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

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

totals for the year of 2018.

Inspections for the period: 250 Total for the Year: 1208

Fire Safety Permits: 24 Total for the Year: 110

Fire Investigations for the period: 14 Total for the Year: 85

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: 1 Total for the Year: 6

Training Sessions for the period: 8 Total for the Year: 27

Fire Extinguisher Inspections: 0 Total for the Year: 1077

Meetings/Lectures/Court for the period: 10 Total for the Year: 56

Fire Prevention Demo for the period: 1 Total for the Year: 3

Fit Testing for Agencies for Period:6 Total for the Year: 239

Total Actions Taken by the Fire Marshal’s Office to date: 2811

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

Fire Marshal’s Office for the period of July 01 to July 31, 2018 and the

totals for the year of 2018.

Inspections for the period: 278 Total for the Year: 1486

Fire Safety Permits: 11 Total for the Year:121

Fire Investigations for the period: 16 Total for the Year: 101

Fire Fatalities for the period: 2 Total for the Year: 3

Fire Scene Injuries for the period: 3 Total for the year: 25

Juvenile Fire setter actions for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 6

Training Sessions for the period: 2 Total for the Year: 29

Fire Extinguisher Inspections: 0 Total for the Year: 1077

Meetings/Lectures/Court for the period: 6 Total for the Year: 62

Fire Prevention Demo for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 3

Fit Testing for Agencies for Period: 3 Total for the Year: 242

Total Actions Taken by the Fire Marshal’s Office to date: 3127

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

Fire Marshal’s Office for the period of August 01 to August 31, 2018 and

the totals for the year of 2018.

Inspections for the period: 289 Total for the Year: 1775

Fire Safety Permits: 5 Total for the Year: 126

Fire Investigations for the period: 16 Total for the Year: 117

Fire Fatalities for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 3

Fire Scene Injuries for the period: 0 Total for the year: 25

Juvenile Fire setter actions for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 6

Training Sessions for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 29

Fire Extinguisher Inspections: 0 Total for the Year: 1077

Meetings/Lectures/Court for the period: 6 Total for the Year: 68

Fire Prevention Demo for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 3

Fit Testing for Agencies for Period: 0 Total for the Year: 242

Total Actions Taken by the Fire Marshal’s Office to date: 3443

Respectfully Submitted;

Edward J. Johnson

Chief County Fire Marshal

County of Gloucester

Ed Johnson also thanked everyone for their assistance. For Fire Prevention

contact Shawn Layton for scheduling.

They also have 3 additional part time deputies, Jay Haus, George Houston

and Bob Burkhardt.

FIRE ACADEMY REPORT: Bob Hill reported that:

Gloucester County Chief’s Association

FIRE ACADEMY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

REPORTING MONTH: July-September 19, 2018

GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE ACADEMY

 FIREFIGHTER 1

 Fall semester started August 10 Initial enrollment

25 adults

4 Juniors

As of this date

 19 adults

 4 juniors

 Notable changes in this program

1. This program is a weekend program

2. Take home exams have replaced paper/pencil exams

3. Some lectures have been shortened per NJ Fire Code

recommendations

NOTE: As of this date 10 of 19 adults have yet to provide proof of

completing a department physical. This is troubling for two reasons: First, as

has been the policy of the fire academy for years, students were given

several weeks from the start of class to provide the required documentation

and second, any student who has not provided medical clearance will be

prohibited from participating in any drill ground activity until such

documentation is received. The end result, the longer this is delayed, the

more difficult it will be for the student to successfully complete the program.

FIREFIGHTER1 CHANGE: NFPA has just published the 2019 Edition of

The Firefighter 1 & 2 standard. A chapter for EMS and information on

health wellness now included. New text books will likely follow in late

2019.

FIREFIGHTER 2

A special offering of the NJ Firefighter 2 program will start next week. This

program is specifically for the Logan Twp. Fire Company, in Pedricktown.

It is hoped that this program will be a success and thus pave the way for

offering this program in Gloucester next year.

NEW PROGRAMMING

 Understanding and using Gemtor Belts

 Calling the Mayday and firefighter survival

 Coming weeks, will schedule: Drill Ground Instructor, Incident Safety

Officer, and in 2019 the new NFA program, Health and Safety

Program Manager.

 Updated Harassment, discrimination, and social media class available

for presentation at your location. Remember, consistent with NJ Case

Law your agency is required to provide this training to supervision

and offer same to general membership.

The academy contributes to demonstrate its commitment to providing first

responders with education and training that is both timely and representative

of real-life situations.

Notable changes:

 Significant enhancements to the firefighter survival trailer

 Significant enhancements to the smokehouse to include a simulated

partial collapse that will challenge rescue teams where a rescue

involves a partial collapse of a structure.

 The addition of a prop built in to the smokehouse that will allow

members to practice skills on how to exit a room via a window and

using rope for descent.

 In the planning stages, a prop for laddering to perform window

rescues and again firefighter self-removal via either the portable

ladder or a rope rescue system.

Special recognition for these enhancements, to academy staff members Len

Steen, Randall Gartner, Bill Bates. Also recognize the numerous members of

academy staff who contributed to the design of these props.

To schedule a drill or tour, contact the fire academy.

ACADEMY IMPROVEMENTS

 Completed refurnishing all classrooms with new chairs.

 New sidewalk to replace old pathway that contained tripping hazards

 Replacement of all liquid and vapor propane lines and pressure

regulators

SPECIAL THANKS; Williamstown FD for their generous donation of

extrication tools and air bags.

FIRE ACADEMY GENERAL BUSINESS

 Auto Extrication, resulting from very favorable comments, Lee

Sumek and his team continue to enjoy successful auto 1 & 2

programs. Recently we have been responding to requests by out of

county fire companies for our team to do training at their location.

 New program will start October 9. Slots still open. Contact the

academy to register.

TRAINING & EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

 Looking at firefighter health and wellness issues

 Supporting the division’s efforts to gain control of what members

under the age of eighteen can and cannot due.

 Driver training program, Instructor Guide nearing completion. Goal

remains to offer division sponsored train-the-trainers starting 2019.

DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY:

 Kean courses now available for viewing and selection via

Keanfiresafety .com. Noteworthy change, confirmation is generated

at time of enrollment.

 Strict policy on no walk-ins

 Our academy will host six seminars

 November 8, PEOSH update 0900-1200

 16

th

Annual conference on Juvenile Firesetters 11/29-11/30 Middlesex

County

Respectfully submitted

Robert V Hill Sr.

Director II

G.C. EMERGENCY RESPONSE REPORT: Director Tom Butts advised

that Jim Schmidt and Mike Gallagher will be tracking issues brought to the

Center. Local 9-1-1 coordinators will be contacted to work on duplicate

street names and numbering.

Mike Gallagher advised that with the resource typing, if you have a unit go

out of service and you move equipment from one vehicle to another, to let

the County know.

The meetings with companies to check and changes response areas has been

put on hold awaiting a Pro phoenix upgrade.

Advise radio tech Mike K. which pagers your station is using so that he can

work on any encoder paging issues.

Chuck Murtaugh advised that Radio Voice Recorders were going to be

available from the County, and any questions on that issue contact Chuck.

FIRE COORDINATION: Dennis Kappler advised that he and

Ed Johnson had attended the coordinators meeting held in Wildwood where

they were introduced to Rick Mikutsky who is the new director of the

Division of Fire Safety.

Dennis then introduced Chief Thrap who is the representative from the

Division of Fie Safety for the southern part of the State, he gave the

membership an overview of his background.

NEPTUNE: Dennis stated that a meeting will be held on October 2

nd

at the

old fire marshal’s office in Clarksboro.

HAZ-MAT: The Haz-Mat team had 2 responses since June. The Haz Mat

team also does inspections for the DEP, and so far, they have handled 82

DEP calls. The team will have a training session in November is Westville.

Clean up of the Shield alloy complex in Newfield, they will be transporting

the slag via railroad out of state for disposal.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY EMS: No Report

N. J. DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY: Nothing

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

reported that on Saturday September 22

nd

there will be a ribbon cutting

ceremony for the new office building at 1711 Route 34 South Wall

Township NJ 07727.

The 3

rd

Quarter financial reports are due into the office on October 30

th

. The

convention Pink & Blue reports are due into the office by November 1

st

.

The Resolution: Should the Executive Committee investigate the feasibility

of allowing Convention Life Members voting & motioning privileges at

Local Association meetings?

Yes 5,223

No 578

All candidates running for office were elected.

The reorganization meeting will be held on Saturday November 17

th

at the

State office in Wall Twp.

President: Robert F. Ordway

Vice President: Joseph T. Hankins.

Treasurer: Barry J. Osborn

Secretary: Thomas J. Pelaia

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st

Ass’t Sec.: Brian E. Martone

2

nd

Ass’t Sec.: Richard K. Dreby.

N.J. FIREMENS HOME: Harry Strube stated that there are copies of the

latest brochure and vehicle stickers on the front table.

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

Convention was held Phillipsburg in August. Where Elisa Fantozzi from

Wanaque Fire Department was elected as the First Female President, 1

st

Vice-President is Garrick Miller from Old Bridge and the 2

nd

Vice-President

is Robert Sweeten from Rio Grande. Glenn stated that it is someone else’s

circus and monkey’s now.

LAW & LEGISLATION: Frank Lambing reported that 3 bills had been

signed since his last report:

S-5 Transfers management of PFRS to a Board of Trustees

A-1627 Provides that PERS or PFRS member who continues to

be a volunteer firefighter after retirement has a bona

fide severance for compliance with state and federal

law.

A-1675 Authorizes prescribed burning in certain cases.

BANQUET COMMITTEE: Bill Ross gave prices for the Banquet. The

Banquet will be held on Thursday January 1o, 2019 at Masso’s Crystal

Manor in Glassboro. Butch Myers motion that a deposit of $300.00 be sent

to Masso’s, seconded by Gary Campbell, motion passed.

AWARDS COMMITTEE: The nominations for awards are due to the

committee by December 1

st

.

BY-LAW COMMITTEE: The By-Laws are being updated and will be

available on the web site soon.

BEAREAVMENT COMMITTEE: Rick Thomas advised that the

committee had assisted a few companies with services, we are currently out

of flags, and we owe one flag to Pitman. Joe Chillari motion to purchase

flags for $ 500.64, seconded by Anthony Baldasaro, motion passed.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

RADIO COMMITTEE: The committee had met once during the summer,

they finalized the Engine Company Resource typing document, which will

be voted on at the October meeting. They are presently working on

Battalion Chief and Battalion radio designations, they hope to have these

done soon.

TECH RESCUE:

Gloucester County Technical Rescue Taskforce

Report to Gloucester County Fire Chiefs and Fire Officers Association

Date: 9/13/2018

Prepared by: FF Erik Wolf – Washington Twp Fire District

Training Completed:

6/28/2018 High Angle Operations

 Members conducted simulated line transfer

rescues from a vertical tower.

 Location: Washington Twp MUA Water Tower

6/30/2018 High Angle Operations (continued)

 Members conducted additional high angle

rescue scenarios and practiced safe climbing

techniques.

 Location: Washington Twp MUA Water Tower

7/26/2018 Trench Rescue Refresher

 Members trench rescue awareness and

equipment

 Location: Woodbury Fire Department

8/23/2018 Trench Rescue Operations

 The team practiced placing shoring in a straight

trench with simulated obstacles that required

lifting to free a trapped patient.

 Location: Camden County Fire Academy

Upcoming Training:

9/27/2018 Trench Rescue Operations (continued)

Location: Camden County Fire Academy

Start time: 1900hrs

9/28 & /29/2018 National Association of Search and Rescue:

Introduction to Search and Rescue

Location: Washington Twp Fire HQ

0800-1600hrs each day

Responses:

Missing Person Search 9/2/2018 –

Clayton Requested to assist in the search for a missing 9yr

old male

Subject was located

Missing Person Search 9/5/2018-

Deptford Requested to assist in the search for a missing

81yr old male

Subject was located

TENDER TASK FORCE: Bob Bramble advised that they held a meeting

last week. They will be holding a drill on October 20

th

in Woolwich Twp.

They will also be inspecting vehicles making sure they have the necessary

equipment that is required to be on the task force. Chief Michael Carlino

and the Newfield Fire Company has been added to the task force.

Their next meeting will be held on November 1

st

in Gibbstown.

FOAM STRIKE TEAM: Mike Gallagher advised that they will be having

training on handline usage soon.

LARGE DIAMETER HOSE TASK FORCE: Nothing to report

TRAINING/FIRE ACADEMY COMMITTEE: There has been a change

in conversation, they have found that there are Port Security Grants available

that may be used for Maritime Burn Buildings, the grants would cover 75%

of the costs. The committee is looking into this.

LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE: Nothing to Report

STAFFING ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE: They met before the

convention, they hope to have a presentation for the membership soon.

CORRESPONDENCE: None

PAYMENT of BILLS:

Bob Hill for Association Filing Fee $ 27.50

Bob Hill for tonight’s meeting refreshments $ 13.92

Masso’s $ 300.00

Flags $ 500.64

Ed Johnson, motion to pay the bills, seconded by Russell Trumbull, motion

passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S

AND

FIRE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION

TREASURER’S REPORT

September 20, 2018

CHECKING ACCOUNT

REPORTING MONTH(S) August 2018

STARTING BALANCE …………..……….. $ 11,374.77

DEPOSIT ……………………..……….…… $ 0

EXPENSES……………………….…….…… $ 903.00

ENDING BALANCE………………….……. $ 10,471.77

RECEIPTS

Deposit … …………………………………… $ 0.00

TOTAL RECEIPTS……………………….…..$ 0.00

EXPENSES

Municipal Emergency Services ………………$ 138.00

GM Printwear FF 1 Shirts ……………………$ 384.00

Municipal Emergency Services ………………$ 381.00

CHECKING ACCOUNT BALANCE AS OF THIS DATE:$ 10,471.77

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED

ROBERT V HILL SR.

Rick Thomas motion to accept the treasurer’s report seconded by

Mark Gismondi, motion passed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

NEW BUSINESS: None

CAMPTOWN: $ 60.00

GOOD & WELFARE OF THE ASSOCIATION:

Mike Gallagher spoke on the need to support the bereavement committee;

each station should try to send 1 person when the bereavement committee

requests assistance.

PLACE OF NEXT MEETING: October 18

th

Oak Valley Fire Company in

Deptford Township at 1930 hours.

Roll Call Taken

Frank Rehman motion to adjourn seconded by Ed Johnson, motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 20:50 hours.

Respectfully Submitted

Glenn Roemmich

Secretary