GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S

ASSOCIATION

Ewan Fire Company

Hosted by

Harmony Fire Company

December 10, 2020

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

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

Address of welcome was given by Battalion Chief Ron Butler of the

Harrison Township Fire Department

NEW MEMBERS: None

MINUTES OF PAST MEETING:

Bill Bates motion that the minutes of the November meeting be approved as

emailed seconded by, Pat Robinson motion passed.

FREEHOLDER REPORT: Freeholder Christy was unable to attend

FIRE MARSHALS REPORT: The following is the report:

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

Gloucester County Chief’s Association

FIRE ACADEMY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

REPORTING MONTH: DECEMBER 2020

GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE ACADEMY

 FIREFIGHTER 1

 The fall Firefighter 1 class will end following this weekend’s classes to

include one final burn at Salem County and the MayDay survival class

here at our academy.

Congratulations to

Michael Leone, Logan Township Fire Department.

Practical Skills Award: 96%

Academic Achievement Award: 91%

Chris Fasano: Vernon Evans Memorial Award

I will make special presentations after the first of the year.

 Spring program tentatively set to begin Friday January 15. The spring

program will use the new text from Jones & Bartlett. The primary reason

for using the new text now is that by doing so class members will have

access to supporting documents, videos, and practice exams offered by

JB.

Registrations are now being accepted.

 Firefighter 2 has been tabled for now.

ACADEMY GENERAL BUSINESS:

Companies wishing to use the Class A container must be able and willing to

purchase their own bales of hay. This results from our storage barn being

condemned. A new barn is being built but we will not take delivery for

several weeks. Until then, I have no place to store hay. If a company wishes

to do so, it is recommended that you purchase only what you think you will

burn. My guess, no more than 5 bales per drill.

1. ACADEMY SUPPORT NEEDED: Possibly resulting from my

recent notice to the college that I will step down as the academy

Director effective July 1, 2021, I was asked to once again provide

statistics on how often the academy training grounds are being used.

Of course whenever I am asked for this information I fear that there

will be a conversation about the future of the academy.

As this body now individually and collectively considers its involvement

related to the future of the fire academy, I offer the following points for

thought:

 The academy has served your organizations for almost 60 years

 Your academy has without fail demonstrated that given the props and

equipment, it can provide realistic training that is both rich in quality

presented by talented and passionate instructional staff.

 The academy enjoys a proud track record of never experiencing a

significant injury, damage to department equipment.

 The academy has over the years debunked baseless claims of inferior

training, lack of discipline of students and using instructors who were

retired and presumably removed from the fire service.

As for my part, I will continue to perform my duties to the best of my

ability. Expecting the college will replace me, I will assist my replacement

both prior to and following my departure.

To close, I ask that you give much thought and weight to the quality of

programming, as well as the talents and dedication of the instructional staff.

To the latter point, and speaking with more than 35 years as a professional

fire service instructor, I say with absolute qualification to do so, that

Gloucester County ranks in the very top of all academies in New Jersey if

not beyond for its programming, and customer service.

Thank you.

TRAINING & EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL:

No report

DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY

Robert V Hill Sr.

Director I

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

Jim Schmidt: No Report

FIRE COORDINATION: Dennis Kappler advised that the County Mutual

Aid Plan is being worked on. The Haz-Mat Annex should be completed first

quarter of 2021.

HAZ-MAT: Dennis Kappler advised that 3 people had become Haz-Mat

Techs after passing the Haz-Mat course held in Salem County. He also

stated that the team had been working on upgrading and improving their

communications.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY EMS: Nothing new to report

N. J. DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY:

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

advised that starting January 1

that spouses will be able to apply for up to $

600.00 per month for reimbursement for Home Health care.

Regarding the appointment of Mr. George Heflich as the Hudson County

Manager for the Firemen’s Home. Mr. Oser has decided to not resign as

Hudson County Manager for the Firemen’s Home. There is now a By-Law

proposal to no longer allow the President of the New Jersey State Firemen’s

Association be an ex official member of the Board of Managers and take his

vote away. That By-Law is to be voted on at the Board of Managers

meeting in January.

N.J. FIREMENS HOME: No report

N.J. EXEMPT ASSOCIATION: Glenn Roemmich nothing to report.

LAW & LEGISLATION: Frank Lambing reported that there has been a

lot of activity with the overage bill. It has been released by the Assembly

Law & Public Safety Committee. There are about 225 membership

applications awaiting passage of the bill.

BANQUET COMMITTEE: Dan Baker reported that

The 2021 banquet has been cancelled.

AWARDS COMMITTEE:

Rick Thomas advised that anyone with nominations for awards should have

them tonight. The award period runs from December 2019 to the end of

November.

NOMINATION COMMITTEE: The nominating committee report is as

follows:

The following is a list of those who expressed to the committee an interest in

being an Officer and the Office they were interested in added with the

nominations from last month:

President: Matt Cardile

Vice President: Dana Decesari

Secretary: Glenn D. Roemmich

Membership Secretary: Larry Crane

Treasurer: Bob Hill

Trustees Anthony Baldasaro

Joe Petsch

Eric Farley

Bill Bates

Delegate to the Executive Committee: Mark Gismondi

BY-LAW COMMITTEE: No report

BEAREAVMENT COMMITTEE: No report

SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

RADIO COMMITTEE: No report

TECH RESCUE: No Report

TENDER TASK FORCE: No report

FOAM STRIKE TEAM: No report

LARGE DIAMETER HOSE TASK FORCE: No report

TRAINING/FIRE ACADEMY COMMITTEE: No report

STAFFING COMMITTEE: No report

LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE: No report

CORRESPONDENCE: None

PAYMENT of BILLS:

Secretary Salary $ 150.00

Gary Campbell motion to pay the bill seconded by Dennis Kappler motion

passed.

The Fire Marshals turned $ 100.00 to the treasurer for their No Shave

November campaign. Matt Cardile motion to donate $ 500.00 for the No

Shave November campaign, seconded by Dennis Kappler, motion passed.

TEASURER’S REPORT:

DATE December 10, 2020

REPORT MONTH(S) November 12, 2020 - December 9.2020

STARTING BALANCE $ 14,056.40

TOTAL OF DEPOSITS $ 440.00

TOTAL OF EXPENSES $ 590.72

ENDING BALANCE $ 13,905.68

RECEIPTS

NOVEMBER CAMPTOWN $ 40.00

11/30/20

NOVEMBER FOREST GROVE DUES FOR 2021 $ 150.00

12/07/20

DECEMBER CHOP DONATION FROM FM OFFICE $ 100.00

12/10/20

DECEMBER WILLIAMSTOWN DUES FOR 2020 $ 150.00

TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS $ 440.00

EXPENSES

11/12/20 361

DEPTFORD FD (CANTEEN FUND) $ 590.72

TOTAL EXPENSES $ 590.72

SUNSHINE FUND $ 1,670.50

11/13/2020 CAMPTOWN SPLIT $ 20.00

11/30/2020 FOREST GROVE 2921 DUES $ 25.00

12/10/2020 WILLIAMSTOWN 2020 DUES $ 25.00

$ 1,740.50

AS OF

13-Mar

ASSOCIATION TOTAL WORTH $ 13,905.68

TOTAL WORTH SUNSHINE FUND $ 1,740.50

ASSOCIATION WITHOUT SUNSHINE FUND $ 12,165.18

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED

Robert V Hill sr

Treasurer

Dan Baker motion to accept the treasurer’s report seconded by Russell

Trumbull, motion passed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

Web Site Bill from Fire Companies dot com: Dan Baker motion to pay the

bill seconded by Russell Trumbull, motion passed.

Westville owns the domain name. There was a question of technical support

for the updated Web Site, discussion held will revisit in January. Westville

will allow us to use their server.

January Meeting: Will be held in National Park

NEW BUISNESS:

Dan Baker motion that the Secretary draft a letter to the Board of

Commissioners regarding the Association’s support of the Fire Academy,

seconded by Bill Bates, motion passed.

ELECTION of OFFICERS:

Pat Robinson motion that the Secretary cast the unanimous ballot for all

Officers that are uncontested, seconded by, Dennis Kappler, motion passed.

The Secretary cast the ballot for the following Officers:

President: Matt Cardile

Vice President: Dan Baker

Secretary: Glenn D. Roemmich

Membership Secretary: Larry Crane

Treasurer: Bob Hill

Delegate to the Executive Committee: Mark Gismondi

Vote totals for Trustee are as follows:

Trustees Eric Farley 25 votes

Anthony Baldasaro 20 votes

Joe Petsch 20 votes

Bill Bates 15 votes

CAMPTOWN: $ 44.00

GOOD & WELFARE OF THE ASSOCIATION:

Covid vaccines for 1

responders will be in the February or March

timeframe.

PLACE OF NEXT MEETING: January 14

at National Park firehouse

meeting at 1930

Roll Call Taken by the Secretary

Dennis Kappler motion to adjourn seconded by Eric Farley

motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 2015 hours.

Respectfully Submitted

Glenn Roemmich

Secretary