GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S & FIRE

OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION

Colonial Manor Fire Company

February 12, 2015

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

group saluted the flag the invocation was given by Chaplain Rev Kevin

Davis.

Address of welcome was given by Past Chief Fred Lock of the Colonial

Manor Fire Company.

NEW MEMBERS:

Deputy Chief David Valichka of the Woolwich Fire Company

Captain Timothy H. Zane of the Colonial Manor Fire Company

Captain Michael Buckley of the Oak Valley Fire Company

Lieutenant Brian Rosas of the Oak Valley Fire Company

Motion by Frank Lambing seconded by Joe Petsch to accept the gentlemen

into the Association, motion passed.

Motion by Al Giampola to suspend the normal order of business seconded

by Archie Roemmich, motion passed.

Mr. Jason Scott from ISO spoke on the ISO inspections for ISO

certifications and ratings.

President Zimm also advised that on the head table was information for hose

and ladder testing by FD Testing Services from Franklinville.

MINUTES OF PAST MEETING:

Al Giampola motion that the minutes of the December 2014 meeting be

approved as emailed seconded by Pat Robinson, motion passed.

Joe Petsch motion to accept the minutes of the January meeting as emailed

seconded by, Bill McNulty motion passed.

FREEHOLDER REPORT: Freeholder Chila advised that the Freeholder

Board has only 6 members due to the resignation of Freeholder Taliaferro

who is now serving as a member of the General Assembly. A replacement

should be appointed Monday to bring the Board back up to 7 members.

The Freeholders are working on the budget but are slowed due to some tax

appeals. The County is moving forward with the 700 radio project.

And in the next few months the Freeholders will be discussing the Fire

Academy.

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 December 01 to December 31, 2014

and the totals for the year of 2014.

Inspections for the period: 168 Total for the Year: 2003

Fire Investigations for the period: 10 Total for the Year: 166

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

Burn Injuries for the period: 4 Total for the year: 30

Juvenile Fire setter actions for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 16

Training Sessions for the period: 2 Total for the Year: 45

Fire Extinguisher Inspections: 02 Total for the Year: 48

Meetings/Lectures/Court for the period: 10 Total for the Year: 144

Fire Prevention Demo for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 27

Fit Testing for Other Agencies for Period: 01 Total for the Year: 12

Total Actions Taken by the Fire Marshal’s Office to date: 2431

Respectfully Submitted;

Edward J. Johnson

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

Fire Marshal’s Office for the period of January 01 to January 31, 2015 and

the totals for the year of 2015.

Inspections for the period: 40 Total for the Year: 40

Fire Investigations for the period: 19 Total for the Year: 19

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

Burn Injuries for the period: 0 Total for the year: 0

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

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

Fire Extinguisher Inspections: 0 Total for the Year: 0

Meetings/Lectures/Court for the period: 14 Total for the Year: 14

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

Fit Testing for Other Agencies for Period: 02 Total for the Year: 02

Total Actions Taken by the Fire Marshal’s Office to date: 77

Respectfully Submitted;

Edward J. Johnson

FIRE ACADEMY REPORT: Bob Hill’s report is as follows:

REPORTING MONTH: February 12, 2015

GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE ACADEMY

 FIREFIGHTER 1

 Spring program underway with twenty two students

participating

FIRE ACADEMY GENERAL BUSINESS

 Many responders are taking advantage of the tuition waiver

for certain classes. As the amount available is limited, it is

recommended that registrations be sent in without delay.



 Many spring open courses have been scheduled and are

available for registration. Contact the academy for additional

information.

 Meetings underway with both the college and county

officials on the future of the fire academy. It is expected that

the President will facilitate a discussion on this topic

TRAINING & EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

 Hazardous materials committee examining exam results from fall

programming.

 Driver training program GCFA will announce within the coming

days a pilot program for the newly developed driver training

program. Details will be included in the announcement.

NJ DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY:

 Division has started activities to streamline the PRO Board

(National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications)

practical skills exams.

 I have been tasked with making recommendations for

streamlining the skills exams for hazardous materials.

 The division announced that it is almost ready to notice all fire

companies or departments within the state of their members who

have been approved for both or either PRO Board and IFSAC

(International Fire Service Accreditation Congress)

 The division agreed to provide all Tier 1 academies with a master

list

 Per my request, the division is considering offering the Jones &

Bartlett 2

Edition to those agencies who have an organized

junior or cadet program.

Respectfully submitted

Robert V Hill Sr.

Director II

G.C. EMERGENCY RESPONSE REPORT: Director Tom Butts

advised that there will be a meeting of the Radio committee on February

An email has been sent out to all Chief’s regarding a vendor presentation to

be held on February 24

at the Holiday Inn in Bridgeport. There will be 2

sessions one in the morning and one in the evening.

Tom also advised that the infrastructure for the 700 radio project has been

installed at both the Clayton and Clarksboro facilities.

FIRE COORDINATION: Dennis Kappler advised that tomorrow the

center staff will be working out of the Clarksboro site to ensure that the echo

problem with the 9-1-1 phones lines and the F-1 encoder have been fixed.

Also tomorrow evening the County IT Department will be updating the

computer systems during this time there will be no RSAN or Roam Secure

from the Center, this includes feeds to I am Responding or Spotted Dog or

whatever digital service that you may use.

Next Saturday they will be updating the microwave system between the

Clayton and Clarksboro sites. During the work the Clayton site will dispatch

only the south units in the County and Clarksboro will be dispatching the

north units, police is included during this work.

Dennis also stated that if any Departments are interested in joining the

Neptune System, now is the time to get involved, they are hoping to get

more interested departments involved.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY EMS: Andy Lovell advised that the County

will be holding a CEU Class for EMT’s the weekend of March 23 -25. An

email will be sent with additional information.

At this time President Zimm had Andy Lovell and Ken Chew discuss the

rehab policy that the committee had worked on and was sent via email.

Al Giampola motion that the Association endorse the policy for those who

wish to use it seconded by Ryan Pierson, motion passed.

N.J. DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY: Captain Gallagher advised that one

of the K-9 Arson dogs had to be put down, that dog will be replaced.

Mike advised that if your department is being deployed as part of a strike

team or task force that all members responding with your unit are to be free

of facial hair, if your unit has a member with facial hair your unit will be

recalled. Also any response to a deployment site should be done at reduced

speed.

Mike also spoke on the importance of the Highway Safety Plan as it had

recently saved emergency responders at the scene of a crash on Rt. 42 during

the flash freeze. The blocking engine was struck by a vehicle while at the

scene. The driver of the engine did receive minor injuries, but it could have

been much worse.

N.J. STATE FIREMEN’S RELEIF ASSOCIATION: Bill McNulty

reminded all that the members report is due to the state office by February

. Also that the financial report is due in about a week.

N.J. FIREMEN’S HOME: Harry Strube reported that on the homes last

state inspection that the home had received 0 deficiencies. The homes

budget had been approved by the state. The home is also working on an in

house television channel for all the guests to see what is happening within in

the home, and the convention will be able to seen by all of the guests in their

rooms.

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

Memorial service will be held in Secaucus on April 18

at 1100 hours.

LAW & LEGISLATION: Frank Lambing reported that there is a bill on

the docket regarding the removal of snow from fire hydrants, more

information will be forth coming.

Chief Hoffman reported that the sprinkler bill has passed through the

committee it will be introduced for a vote on the floor of the Senate

sometime in March, he is hoping that there will be a good showing from the

fire service for the vote.

BANQUET COMMITTEE: It was reported that the banquet went well,

the Association made approximately $ 1,200.00 profit. The banquet was

attended by 186 people. President Zimm again thanked the committee for a

job well done.

BEAREAVMENT COMMITTEE: Eric Farley thanked the committee

members for their assistance to the Westville FD on the passing of their

President. He also thanked Verga, Deptford and Washington Township fire

departments for the use of their ladders during the funeral.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

RADIO COMMITTEE: No report they will be meeting next week.

TECH RESCUE:

To: Gloucester County Fire Chief’s Association- Secretary

Subject: GCTRT Training Report for February

The Gloucester County Technical Rescue Task Force (GCTRT) went over a

classroom refresher for confined space rescue. The attendance for the drill

was 23.

The members went over the NJ State Police Confined Space Operations

program. At the conclusion of the PowerPoint, members were administered

a written test of twenty-five questions. This training session and the

following sessions will help the team members meet the requirements in

CFR and NFPA. The taskforce was in service for a total of three hours.

Respectfully submitted,

Joseph Schmidt

GCTRT Training Coordinator

Washington Twp. Fire District

TENDER TASK FORCE: Nothing to report

FOAM STRIKE TEAM: Nothing to report

LARGE DIAMETER HOSE TASK FORCE: They are in the process of

rebuilding the command staff for the task force.

ST. FLORIAN COMMITTEE: Nothing to report

I.C. MUTUAL AID TEAM: They will be working on finding a

replacement to lead the group.

WEBSITE: Nothing to report

FIRE ACADEMY COMMITTEE: No report

CORRESPONDENCE: President Zimm reported that he had received a

few letters regarding some operational issues, they were discussed by the

Executive committee and they will be working on those issues.

A letter from Chief Mason of the Newfield Fire Company was received, it

was discussed at the Executive Committee meeting and since it the issue is

in litigation, the Association will not get involved at this time.

President Zimm also advised the Association that during the Executive

Committee meeting the issue of the Fire Academy was discussed. A letter

will be sent to the Freeholders asking that representation from the

Association be involved with discussions dealing with the Fire Academy.

PAYMENT of BILLS:

A bill for $ 129.40 was submitted by Secretary Glenn Roemmich for

supplies for the Banquet.

Ed Johnson motion to pay the bill seconded by John Hoffman, motion

passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION

TREASURER’S REPORT

February 12, 2015

CHECKING ACCOUNT

REPORTING MONTH(S) December-January 2015

STARTING BALANCE ………………………..……….. $ 6,652.07

DEPOSIT …………………………………..……….…(7) $ 4,765.00

EXPENSES…………………………………….…….…… $ 4,050.98

ENDING BALANCE………………………………….…. $ 7,366.09

RECEIPTS

CAMPTOWN( September)..…. ………….….……..………$ 83.00

MEMBERSHIP .….…………………………..…………….$ 0.00

DUES……….……………………………..…………….…. $ 6.00

TOTAL RECEIPTS…………………………….……….…..$ 89.00

EXPENSES

Check # 235 FireCompanies.com..………………………….$ 119.97

Check # 236 Glenn Roemmich……………………………...$ 150.00

Check # 237 Masso’s Catering……………………………....$ 3,665.65

Internal checking Acct. check purchase………………….…..$ 115.36

EXPENSES………………………………………….………. $ 4,050.98

CHECKING ACCOUNT BALANCE AS OF THIS DATE:. $ 6,652.07

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED

ROBERT V HILL SR.

Al Giampola motion to accept Treasurer Report, seconded by Bill McNulty

motion passed.

Treasurer Hill reminded that the books need to be audited, President Zimm

stated per the By-Laws that falls to the Trustees.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Life Members cards were passed out those

who have attained Life Membership.

NEW BUSINESS: Chief Rick Thomas advised that the bereavement

committee is in need of a DeWalt 18 or 24 volt impact wrench with spare

batteries, as they had been using one from the Deptford Fire Department.

John Hoffman motion that needed items be purchased along with a charger

for the batteries, seconded by Chuck Murtaugh, motion passed.

Chief Thomas also thanked those department that had assisted the Deptford

Fire Department during the apartment fire at the Chestnut Lane Apartments.

CAMPTOWN: $ 86.00

GOOD & WELFARE OF THE ASSOCIATION: Secretary Roemmich

thanked the Association members for their prayers and well wishes during

his recovery from knee replacement surgery.

PLACE OF NEXT MEETING: March 12

Ferrell Fire Company, Elk

Twp.at 1930 hours.

Pat Robinson motion to adjourn seconded by Dave Raso motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 2050 hours.

Respectfully Submitted

Glenn Roemmich

Secretary