GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION

WILLIAMSTOWN FIRE COMPANY

Hosted By

CECIL FIRE COMPANY

September 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 Secretary Glenn Roemmich

ADDRESS of WELCOME: Chief Jim Soloman of the Cecil Fire Company welcomed the

Association and thanked the Williamstown Fire Company for hosting the meeting.

NEW MEMBERS: None

MINUTES OF PAST MEETING: Dan Baker motion that the minutes of the June meeting be

approved as emailed seconded by, Jim Smart Motion passed.

FREEHOLDER REPORT: Freeholder Christy was unable to attend the meeting.

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: SEPTEMBER 2020

GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE ACADEMY

 FIREFIGHTER 1

 Spring program completed. 8 students successfully completed the program. Two students

completed their training at their respective home academies. Two students have yet to

successfully complete one or more exams.

 I am working on an idea that if acceptable to the college, will enable us to recognize the

spring class out of doors.

 Resulting from approval of my academy re-opening plan, the academy is opened for usage.

Members wishing to use the drill ground are asked to provide the academy with a list of

attendees and a temperature taken prior to the training. If you need assistance, see one of our

staff members.

 The fall Firefighter 1 class is underway with 16 students. Proper distancing, facial coverings,

and temperature checks are the new norm for the class.

OPEN CLASSES:

 The academy is planning to host both an Auto Extrication 1 and an Auto Extrication 2

program in the coming weeks. Unfortunately due to the cost of renting a forklift, needed

to move the vehicles, there is a possibility that the classes might b cancelled. Presently

we are working with Y-By rental seeking a lower cost and we are petitioning the college

seeking approval for funding this effort.

 In the coming weeks, additional programs will be offered at the academy. Space will be

limited so early registration is recommended.

ACADEMY GENERAL BUSINESS: Nothing to report

TRAINING & EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL: No report

DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY

The division with the assistance of Kean University continues to offer many online programs.

To access the brochure and register, please visit www.keanfiresafety.edu

I have just been noticed that several of the committees I serve on will begin meeting again at the

Middlesex County Fire Academy. My current involvement involves accreditation issues for

FF1, FF2 FO PROGRAMS, FIRE INSTRUCTOR 1&2 AND HAZ MAT.

Robert V Hill Sr.

Director I

G.C. EMERGENCY RESPONSE REPORT: No Report

FIRE COORDINATION: No Report

HAZ-MAT: No Report

GLOUCESTER COUNTY EMS: Nothing to report

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

for getting their reports in on time. The Caucus was held on August 20

and there were 257

members who attended. I want to thank everyone for their support I received 252 votes to

remain the Executive Committeeman. Election results were:

President:

Robert Ordway: 3,475

George Heflich: 1,813

Resolution #1 Yes: 5,462

No: 153

Resolution #2 Yes: 5,517

No: 102

The bills to increase the age of membership still sits in the Law & Public Safety Committee, the

Bills are S-1634 A-3835.

N.J. FIREMENS HOME: Harry Strube Jr. stated that

Good evening first I would like to congratulate Glenn for his reelection.

This year we had 5 managers up for reelection and one for a 1 year unexpired term for Bergen

County Manager John Veras witch is now our new Superintendent, also Our Manager for

Monmouth County decided not to re run , and they where the only two county's to have any

opposition. That being said our new Manager for Bergen County is Peter Jeffer, and the new

Manager for Monmouth County is Nicholas Giglio Jr. The remaining 4 Mangers will remain the

same.

In regard’s to our Guests staying at the home there are 37 now and buy the end of the month

and additional 8 will be moving in. Visitation from the outside has resumed for the Guests, as

we check temps and they must were masks. Our new Bus for the Guests is due to arrive by the

end of September. Last but not least our addition has a setback on the bridge that connects the

old building to the new one causing a delay. The DCA is looking over the Bridge changes, and

the new completion date is on or before January.

Respectfully submitted

Harry Strube Jr

N.J. EXEMPT ASSOCIATION: Glenn Roemmich reported that the 2020 Convention was

cancelled. The 2021 Convention will be held Memorial Day Weekend in Phillipsburg.

LAW & LEGISLATION: Frank Lambing reported that

There are 101 bills being tracked.

BY-LAW COMMITTEE: The following proposed changes to the By-Laws were read for the

second reading and passed:

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS TO BE ELECTED

SECTION 2

A. All nominations for officers (Refer to: Article II, Section 1, Paragraph A) shall be

made from the floor at the October business meeting. Nominations shall be reopened at

the November business meeting.

B. All nominations will be finalized at the November business meeting.

C. The voting will take place at the December business meeting. Candidates shall be voted

on and installation shall be made at the January business meeting.

D. All Officers shall be elected by virtue of at least a majority vote of the eligible members

present and voting.

ARTICLE XIII. MEETINGS

SECTION 1. MEETING DATES / TIMES

The regular meetings of this Association shall be held on the second Thursday evening at

7:30 PM of every month except July and August. The date of the September and the October

meeting will float depending upon the date of the Firemen’s Convention and Fire Prevention

Week.

SECTION 2. NOMINATIONS / ELECTION

A. Nominations for Officers shall be made at the regular meeting in October, held over one

(1) month and reopened at the November meeting. The report of the Nominating

Committee shall also be made at the regular October meeting. The nominating

committee is to consist of three (3) members. The Chairman of the nominating

committee is to be the Sergeant at Arms. The other members of the nominating

committee are the Membership Secretary and one member appointed by the President,

during the September meeting.

B. The election of Officers shall be held during the regular meeting in December. When

signing in for the meeting the nominating committee shall pass out the ballots to those

who are eligible to vote. All ballots are to be placed in the ballot box no later than 15

minutes after the start of the meeting. If there is no opposition for Offices then the

Secretary shall cast the unanimous ballot. The Officers elected shall assume their office

at the installation banquet held in January in conjunction with the Annual Meeting.

C. To be nominated for the positions of President and Vice-President, the nominees have to

be an active seated Chief Officer in their Fire Company and or Fire Department and be

in good standing in the Association. If his/her term as a Chief Officer should expire,

he/she can continue in their elected position for 1 one more term if so elected.

D. A Chief Officer shall be defined as holding the office of Chief, Deputy Chief, Battalion

Chief or Assistant Chief.

Anthony Baldasaro motion to approve the By-Law changes, seconded by Dan Baker, motion

passed.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

RADIO COMMITTEE: The committee had met 2 weeks ago and discussed the idea of 3

party notifications for incidents. More information to be brought at a later time.

TECH RESCUE: No Report

TENDER TASK FORCE: Chad Hitzelberger advised that the Tender Task force will meet on

September 21

FOAM STRIKE TEAM: No Report

LARGE DIAMETER HOSE TASK FORCE: No Report

BANQUET COMMITTEE: Dan Baker advised that he had been in contact with Masso’s and

that the banquet will be held on Thursday January 14

2021. The cost to the Association went

up $ 1.00 per dinner. So the cost of a ticket for the banquet will remain at $35.00 per ticket.

The committee did away with the Roast Beef and went with a chicken dish, the rest of the menu

remains intact. Dan is working on getting a guest speaker. The committee requests that all

Officers assist with the banquet in some form. Also to increase the amount of door prizes they

ask that each Chief or Department provide a shirt to be used as a door prize. Each Chief should

provide a business card so that the door prize winner can contact the Chief to receive their T

shirt.

BANQUET TICKETS WILL ONLY BE SOLD AT THE OCTOBER, NOVEMBER AND

DECEMBER MEETINGS. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A TICKET AFTER THE

DECEMBER MEETING YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET ANY TICKETS.

COORESPONDANCE: We have received a Thank-You note for the assistance that the

bereavement committee had provided to the Malaga Fire Company with a donation to the

Association.

PAYMENT of BILLS:

Robert Hill $33.00 for Association Incorporation Fee

Joe Petsch motion to pay the bill seconded by Dan Baker, motion passed.

Bob Hill questioned a bill that he had received from Fire Companies.com. Joe Petsch motion

to table that bill seconded by Dan Baker motion passed.

Dan Baker stated he would look into a new web hosting company for our web site.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

SEPTEMBER 2020.pdf

SUMMER SUMMARY 2020.pdf

Dan Baker motion to accept the treasurer’s report seconded by Mark Gismondi, motion passed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

CAMPTOWN: $ 35.00

NEW BUSINESS: Vice President Smith appointed the following as the Nominating

Committee per the By-Laws

Chairman, Rick Thomas

Larry Crane

Carl Ennis

GOOD & WELFARE OF THE ASSOCIATION:

Chief Baldasaro thanked the Association and the Bereavement Committee for their assistance

with the passing of John Delasandro.

It was brought up that Battalion 5 had worked in 2018 on a RIT program, that was presented

and went nowhere, they asked on its status.

PLACE OF NEXT MEETING: October 15

Clayton Fire Company at 1930 hours.

Operational Meeting: October 29

at Forest Grove Fire Company at 1930 hours.

Roll Call Taken

Dan Baker motion to adjourn seconded by John Polen, motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 19:56 hours.