GLOUCESTER COUNTY
FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION
HARMONY FIRE COMPANY
HARRISON TOWNSHIP
March 11, 2021
The meeting was called to order by President Cardile at 1930 hours. The
group saluted the flag, had a moment of silence then the invocation was
given by Chaplain Tim Nessler
Address of welcome was given by Battalion Chief Ron Butler
NEW MEMBERS: None
Russell Trumbull motion to suspend the normal order of business, seconded
by Anthony Baldasaro, motion passed.
President Cardile then introduced Britney Snyder from the Police and Fire
Credit Union. She spoke on the services that the Credit Union provides and
that if you sign up tonight they will give you $ 50.00 in a checking account
and $5.00 in a savings account. Britney would like the opportunity to come
out to each Department to offer their services to your members.
Britney then advised that the Credit Union is donating $ 1,000.00 to our
Association. They will also be donating $ 500.00 to the Fire Academy.
MINUTES OF PAST MEETING:
Anthony Baldasaro motion that the minutes of the January meeting be
approved as emailed seconded by, Eric Farley motion passed.
FREEHOLDER REPORT: Freeholder Christy was unable to attend the
meeting due to personal issues.
FIRE MARSHALS REPORT: The following is the report:
GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE
MARSHAL’S OFFICE
212 County House Road, Clarksboro, New Jersey 08020
Phone: (856) 307-7912 Fax: (856) 224-8284 Email:
gcfmo@co.gloucester.nj.us
The following is my report for the actions taken by the Gloucester County Fire
Marshal’s Office for the period of January 1, 2021 thru March 11, 2021.
Inspections for the period: 610 Total for the Year: 610
Fire Safety Permits: 12 Total for the Year: 12
Fire Investigations for the period: 23 Total for the Year: 23
Fire Fatalities for the period: 2 Total for the Year: 2
Fire Scene Injuries for the period: 3 Total for the year: 3
Juvenile Fire setter actions for the period: 3 Total for the Year: 3
Fire Prevention/K9 Demo for the period: 5 Total for the Year: 5
Fit Testing for Agencies for Period: 3
(Washington Twp PD, Paulsboro PD & Woolwich Fire Dept)
Total Actions Taken by the Fire Marshal’s Office to date: 659
Any questions, concerns or comments please contact the office at 856-307-7912.
Respectfully Submitted;
Shawn K. Layton
Chief Shawn K. Layton
FIRE ACADEMY REPORT: Bob Hill’s report is as follows:
Gloucester County Chief’s Association
FIRE ACADEMY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
REPORTING MONTH: MARCH 2021
GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE ACADEMY
FIREFIGHTER 1
The spring 2021 recruit program continues with 8 current and 2 returning
members attending. Last night the class sat for their Hazardous Materials
exams.
ACADEMY GENERAL BUSINESS:
The academy has taken possession of the engine donated by Williamstown
FD. Again, the donation is very much appreciated. Many thanks as well to
the county Office of Emergency Management for their generosity in housing
the engine. Awaiting the college board of trustees’ approval to begin
working the engine.
Work to begin tomorrow on a new prop that will be used for window
rescues, and firefighter bailouts. It is expected that this prop will be in
service in the coming weeks.
Thanks to the college, the academy has a new straw storage barn. As we
now have the building and we have straw, reservations are being accepted
for usage of the building. Please allow a minimum of two weeks for
reservations.
Currently I am working on an Instructor Level-1 program with an
anticipated start date of April 20. I believe this has been posted on our
Facebook page.
TRAINING & EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL:
The T&E council met a few weeks ago via Zoom. Of significant discussion
is the new regulations that allows new recruits aged 16-18 to fully
participate in the Recruit Firefighter 1 program. Members are advised that if
you have a member who does in fact complete the recruit program, given
that the fire code still mandates that firefighters must be at least 18 years of
age in order to fully participate as structural firefighters, they would not
receive their state certification until they have reached their eighteenth
birthday. The regulations when completed will also give guidance what the
junior members can do on scene and at drills. I have been asked to review
the draft legislation to which I have expressed several concerns and offered
some recommendations. As this document is still in draft form the best I can
do at this point is to keep this association informed of the progress.
DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY
I am continuing my work as a member of a select committee for validating
the state exam test questions to the Fourth Edition Jones & Bartlett text
book. This text will be used at our academy beginning with the fall 2021
semester. Toward this goal we have been meeting weekly at the Monmouth
County Fire Academy. We expect to complete the Firefighter 1 exam bank
in about 2-3 weeks.
Closing thought
Last week a 21 year old recruit went into cardiac arrest while doing some
physical agility training at the Morris County Fire Academy. Despite
immediate intervention and follow up care, the young man passed. This
incident serves as a reminder that organizations are encouraged to do your
best to ensure members are physically fit and capable of performing as
expected.
Robert V Hill Sr.
Director I
Russell Trumbull motion that a fund be started for the Fire Academy of $
1,500.00 for shirts and webbing for the students of the Fire Fighter 1
programs, seconded by Dan Baker, motion passed.
G.C. EMERGENCY RESPONSE REPORT: Director Dennis McNulty
was introduced to those in attendance. He stated he was pleased to be in
attendance.
Fire Services Director Jim Schmidt advised that the fatal fire in Paulsboro on
Saturday is an open investigation. He then thanked the Gibbstown, East
Greenwich Township and Thorofare Fire Companies and their Command
Officers for their response and handling of the incident.
FIRE COORDINATION: Dennis Kappler advised the coordinators will
be meeting soon since there has been a relaxing of the Covid restrictions.
He advised that Deputy Coordinator Carlino is currently working on setting
up Brush Truck Strike Teams.
Dennis reminded all Chief’s that they should have a safety officer and an
accountability officer assigned during working fires. Dennis also stated that
all who were at the fire in Paulsboro did an outstanding job.
HAZ-MAT: Dennis Kappler reported that the team will be at the Fire
Academy on Saturday March 28
th
working with the fire fighter 1 students.
The Haz-Mat Team has received a $ 19,000.00 grant due to work by Elliott
Davis. He is now working on a Port Security grant.
GLOUCESTER COUNTY EMS: Unfortunately due to personal reasons I
won’t be able to make the meeting tonight please find my report below,
GCEMS has nothing to report except that at this time we are continuing to
suspend all of our Outreach Classes; due to staffing restraints between sick,
personnel, and our presence at the Mega Vaccine Site. We hope to restore
these classes in the coming months. For now we are continuing to hold our
open to the public AHA BLS CPR course the second Thursday of every
month, which starts promptly at 1500 and are held at the Deptford
Community Center. Please contact me to register and the course fee is $75
per person. As always please don’t hesitate to contact me with any
questions, comments, or concerns.
Sorry again and stay safe,
Nicholas Minosse; MICP, NRP, CCEMTP, EMT-I
N. J. DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY: Captain Tharp stated that there is a
Division memo regarding the possible cracking of Scott Face pieces. Make
sure that you keep a check on them. Also while filling out NFIRS reports
Box G Property Value Loss has to be reported. He also stated that per
PEOSHA that fie testing has to be completed. Also that the Chiefs are
responsible for members facial hair.
N.J. STATE FIREMEN’S RELEIF ASSOCIATION: Glenn Roemmich
thanked everyone for getting their reports in on time. The Delegate &
Alternate reports will be due by May 1
st
.
There will be some type of meeting in Wildwood this year. At a minimum, it
will be a one-day walk-through election/voting for the State Officers and
resolutions.
If capacity & social distancing rules are eased enough and if we have time to
coordinate it properly, we will have a normal two day Convention. If we do
not have the time to get it set up properly, it will remain just the walk
through election/voting.
The “Convention Delegates/Life Members Affidavit” will need to be filled
out this year by each attendee and the forms become part of the Secretary or
Treasurer records. Those forms do not need to be sent to us but must be
available when we do Field Exams.
As of this report, Caucuses will be walk-through elections/voting to elect
your Executive Committeeperson and for five counties, your Firemen’s
Home Manager. The five counties that have the Manager up for election this
year are Atlantic, Bergen, Gloucester, Ocean & Sussex. Each attendee will
be given an information packet on their way out after voting. Because we are
having a function in Wildwood, there will be no payment for attending the
Caucus. As in past years, there will be a $100.00 penalty for Delegates not
attending the Caucus. That penalty will be deducted from the funds they
receive for attending Wildwood.
The Five-Mile Beach Association runs the apparatus display and the “tents”.
They have not met yet to decide what they are going to do this year. The
NJSFA has nothing to do with those activities. The NJSFA also has no
control or influence on the hotels, motels, condos or restaurants. Those are
privately owned entities and they do not answer to us. For information on
the Five-Mile Beach activities, go to their website at www.njfireexpo.com.
We regret to inform you of the recent passing of Past President Ernest J.
Greenwald, Sr. and Treasurer Barry J. Osborn. Their enormous contributions
to this organization are incalculable and they will be sorely missed. Our
thoughts and prayers are with their families.
At the February Executive Committee Meeting, Edward R. Mullen, CPA,
Treasurer of the Iselin FRA, was appointed Treasurer for the NJSFA for the
balance of the year. Ed had worked with Barry in the past and was
instrumental in getting the Associations that lost their IRS status back in
accord. Ed is also the Treasurer for the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs
Association. The Treasurer’s position definitely needs someone with a CPA
background and we hope you will support Ed at the election in Wildwood in
September.
We are working to get the age Statute changed from a maximum age of 45 to
a maximum age of 57. If you have any active members, age 57 or less, who
are not in the Relief Association, please get that member to fill out an
application (version 5/19), get a physical and send it in.
Applications will be processed once the statute is changed. The State Statute
must be changed before this can become effective. The full Assembly has
approved our bill (A4745) and we are working on the Senate version
(S3277).
Starting January 1, 2021, the Health care program was expanded to include
spouses of current members and non-remarried surviving spouses of
Qualified deceased members. Eligible applicants will be able to receive a
monthly maximum of up to $600.00 in reimbursement towards the cost of
care from a licensed caregiver working with a licensed health care firm. This
is toward the care balance not already being reimbursed from other sources.
The eligible spouse can be receiving that care at home, an adult day care
facility, a rehabilitation facility or a long-term care facility. This is the same
starting level we originally used for members until we were able to
determine actual usage. As of this report, we have 12 spouses from 9
counties enrolled in the program.
The Health Care program for Firefighters is working well. Last year, 124
members received reimbursement toward their direct health care. This is a
reimbursement program assisting with the costs of health care at home, an
adult day-care facility, a long-term care facility or a rehab facility. The care
must be received from a licensed caregiver working with a licensed health
care firm. Members can receive up to $5,000 toward the care balance not
already being reimbursed from other sources. The funds are paid out from
the State Office. This is separate from the Relief program and income is not
a factor. The reimbursement program begins in the month that the NJSFA
Advisory Committee approves the application and is not retroactive.
Field Exams were postponed last year and at the moment, are postponed this
year. Once we feel that we are able to conduct them safely based on
occupancy and State guidance, both last year’s and this year’s Association’s
will then be scheduled.
Local Association Presidents, Vice Presidents & Chiefs now have their own
log-in tab on our website and can now submit the Initial Notice of Death
form online, just as the Secretary and Treasurer can.
Last year, we created a Memorial video to put on our website to remember
those Firefighters that would normally be honored at the Convention
Memorial Service. We will create this video each year moving forward so
that family, friends and colleagues can view the service at any time. This
year’s video will be created after September’s Wildwood event.
Special Relief & Health Care payments last year made to our Brother &
Sister Firefighters from the State Office were up over 222% compared to the
prior year for a total of $2,440,284.17 paid. Burial claims paid for the
calendar year of 2020 were 1,067 claims in the amount of $12,068,462.11.
This is an increase of $1,269,589.60 or 11.76% compared to the previous
year.
I do not know if you are aware but a recruit Firefighter from Irvington
collapsed during recruit training at the Morris County Fire Academy on
Thursday March 4, 2021. He was rushed to Morristown Memorial Hospital
and unfortunately passed away yesterday at the age of 21. Unfortunately he
was not on our rolls. If he were to be on our rolls he would have received a
LODD Burial Benefit ($36,000.00) and his family could have received
Relief. The Association cannot do anything for his family now, but because
of this we need to further educate our Chiefs and Association Secretaries to
have members in their Departments fill out applications as soon as they are
accepted into their Departments. At times when this topic comes up we
usually hear “well, we want to make sure they graduate”. The answer to that
question is “if they fail we can always remove them from the rolls”. It is
better that they are protected from the minute they walk into a Fire
Academy.
N.J. FIREMENS HOME: Harry Strube Jr. was unable to attend the
meeting.
N.J. EXEMPT ASSOCIATION: Glenn Roemmich reported that the
Exempt Association has not made a decision on the 2021 Convention.
LAW & LEGISLATION: Frank Lambing reported that there are 38 bills
sitting on the Governor’s desk awaiting to be signed.
BANQUET COMMITTEE: Dan Baker reported they hope to sign the
contract with Masso’s next month. If anyone has any ideas for a quest
speaker let the committee know.
AWARDS COMMITTEE: No report
AUDITING COMMITTEE: The treasurers books were audited before the
meeting and all were found in order.
Chuck Murtaugh motion to accept the auditing committee report seconded
by Mark Gismondi, motion passed.
BY-LAW COMMITTEE: Nothing to report. The By=lLaws are due for a
full review.
BEAREAVMENT COMMITTEE: Nothing to report
SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
RADIO COMMITTEE: The committee met last week. They plan on
meeting again before the April Operational meeting.
They had discussed on using additional radio channels and the importance
on switching to the fire ground channel.
TECH RESCUE:
Gloucester County Technical Rescue Team
2021 Training Schedule
03/05/2021 (Friday 18:00-19:00) GCTRT 1st Orientation *** ZOOM*** -
Welcome, Introduction -Team SOP, SOG Overview -Flow Chart -Training
for team -Training available outside agencies / Academy classes and CEU’s
/ Certificates -Objectives for 2021 -Covid Review -DFD, MTFD, WTFD
Equipment Overview / Nomenclature Confined Space CS 1
03/15/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Equipment Overview / Main and Belay Line
Setup / Tripod Setup Patient Packaging /MUA Equipment Overview /Air
Cart Review CS 2
03/29/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Basic Metering / Advanced Metering,
Ventilation, Lock out Tag Out CS 3 04/12/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Horizontal
Entries, Vertical Entries Rope Rescue RR 1
04/26/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Equipment overview / Knots / M/A Systems and
Belay Systems Anchors / Tie Back Anchors / Directional Anchors RR 2
05/10/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Patient Packaging / Picket Systems / Knot by
Pass RR 3 05/24/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Rigging Overview / Low angle rescue
/ Steep Angle RR 4
06/07/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Rigging Overview / High Angle / Lower Rescue,
Pick offs, Lower to ground Rigging Overview / High Angle / Lower Rescue,
Pick offs, Converting to Haul Search and Rescue SAR 1
06/14/2021 (18:30-22:00) – Topic to be announced SAR 2
06/28/2021 (18:30-22:00) – Topic to be announced Trench Rescue TR 1
07/12/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Equipment Overview, Size Up, Pre-Entry
Operations Straight Trench Pneumatic Shore Placement, Replacing w/Wood,
TR 3
07/26/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Straight Trench Wale Configuration, Lip Bridge
TR 4
08/09/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Trench Scenario
08/23/2020 (Sunday 10:00-12:00) GCTRT 2nd Orientation***ZOOM*** -
Welcome, Introduction, New Members -Team SOP, SOG Overview
(Updates) -Flow Chart (Updates) -Training for team (Updates, Evaluation) -
Training available outside agencies / Academy classes and CEU’s /
Certificates -Objectives for 2022 -Forms (Make sure all current) -Merit
System Update - Covid -DFD, MTFD, WTFD Any New Equipment
Overview / Nomenclature Heavy Vehicle Rescue HVR 1
08/29/2021 (08:00-16:00) – Equipment Overview / Scenarios (8 hour Day)
Structural Collapse Rescue SCO 1
09/13/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Vertical Wood Shores (T-and Double T Paratech
to wood) SCO 2
09/20/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Vertical Wood Shores (Window / Door /
Vertical Shore Class 2 Paratech to wood) SCO 3
10/04/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Raker Shores (Solid, Flying, Split Paratech to
Wood) SCO 4
10/18/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Lifting and Moving SCO 5
11/01/2021 (18:30-22:00) - Breaking & Breaching Search and Rescue SAR
1
11/15/2021 (18:30-22:00) – Topic to be announced SAR 2
11/29/2021 (18:30-22:00) – Topic to be announced End of Year Dinner
EOYD 4
12/06/2021 (18:00-22:00) – Eat and Drink Good!!
TENDER TASK FORCE: Chad advised that they will be meeting at the
end of March, and will talk about future drills.
FOAM STRIKE TEAM: No Report
LARGE DIAMETER HOSE TASK FORCE: Chief Nessler advised that
they were planning on holding a drill in the spring.
ST. FLORIAN COMMITTEE: No Report
TRAINING/FIRE ACADEMY COMMITTEE: No Report
RIC COMMITTEE: Bill Bates advised that they are working on a draft
document.
LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE: No Report
STAFFING COMMITTEE: No Report
CORRESPONDENCE: We received a Thank-You from Children’s
Hospital for the donation.
PAYMENT of BILLS: No Bills
TREASURER’S REPORT:
GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION
TREASURER’S REPORT
DATE
March 11,2021
REPORT
MONTH(S)
JANUARY 14, 2021 - MARCH 10, , 2021
STARTING BALANCE
$ 12,959.71
4
TOTAL OF DEPOSITS
$ 2,286.00
TOTAL OF EXPENSES
$ 2,660.00
ENDING BALANCE
$ 12,585.71
XXXXXXXXXXXX
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RECEIPTS
JANUARY
CAMPTOWN
$ 36.00
JANUARY
NATIONAL PARK DUES FOR 2021
$ 150.00
JANUARY
MALAGA DUES FOR 2019, 2020, 2021
$ 450.00
JANUARY
VERGA DUES (2021)
$ 150.00
JANUARY
WESTVILLE DUES (2021)
$ 150.00
FEBRUARY
WOODBURY HEIGHTS DUES (2021)
$ 150.00
FEBRUARY
AURA FIRE DUES (2021)
$ 150.00
FEBRUARY
GREENFIELDS FD (2021)
$ 150.00
FEBRUARY
FRANKLINVILLE FD (2021)
$ 150.00
FEBRUARY
E GREENWICH FD (2021)
$ 150.00
FEBRUARY
WENONAH FD (2021) DUES
$ 150.00
FEBRUARY
HARRISON TWPS FIRE DISTRICT 1
$ 150.00
FEBRUARY
GLASSBORO (2021) DUES
$ 150.00
MARCH
PITMAN HILL (2021) DUES
$ 150.00
TOTAL ALL RECEIPTS
$ 2,286.00
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EXPENSES
01/19/21
CHECK 365
AARON BELZ (WEB SITE)
$ 2,160.00
01/19/21
CHECK 366
GATEWAY REGIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
$ 500.00
TOTAL EXPENSES
$ 2,660.00
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SUNSHINE FUND
$ 1,762.50
1/14/2021
CAMPTOWN SPLIT
$ 18.00
1/14/2021
FROM MALAGA DUES
$ 75.00
1/14/2021
FROM NATIONAL PARK DUES
$ 25.00
1/29/2021
FROM VERGA DUES
$ 25.00
1/29/2021
FROM WESTVILLE DUES
$ 25.00
2/5/2021
FROM WOODBURY HEIGHTS DUES
$ 25.00
2/5/2021
FROM AURA DUES
$ 25.00
2/19/2021
FROM FRANKLINVILLE DUES
$ 25.00
2/19/2021
EAST GREENWICH DUES
$ 25.00
2/19/2021
FROM GREENFIELDS DUES
$ 25.00
2/23/2021
WENONAH DUES
$ 25.00
2/23/2021
HARRISON TWSP FIRE DISTRICT 1
$ 25.00
2/25/2021
GLASSBORO FD
$ 25.00
3/11/2021
PITMAN FD
$ 25.00
TOTAL
$ 2,155.50
AS OF
2/11/2021
ASSOCIATION TOTAL WORTH
$ 12,585.71
TOTAL WORTH SUNSHINE FUND
$ 2,155.50
ASSOCIATION WITHOUT SUNSHINE FUND
$ 10,430.21
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED
Robert V Hill sr
Treasurer
Bill Bates motion to accept the treasurer’s report seconded by Pat Robinson
motion passed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Letter was read by the Secretary to be sent to
the County Commissioners regarding the Fire Academy.
Dennis Kappler motion that the letter be sent, seconded by Dan Baker,
question on the motion to add statics for responses within the County, they
will be added, the motion then passed.
NEW BUSINESS:
Web-Site: Aaron then gave an update as to when the web-site would be up
and running.
President Cardile then reminded all that dues are to be paid by the May
meeting.
CAMPTOWN: $ 46.00
GOOD & WELFARE OF THE ASSOCIATION:
Anthony Baldasaro advised that the Run/Walk that was held at Gateway had
283 participants. He thanked everyone for their participation and donations.
PLACE OF NEXT MEETING: April 8
th
at National Park Firehouse at
1930 hours. The Operational Meeting will be held on Thursday April 22
nd
at the Glassboro Firehouse.
Roll Call was read off by President Cardile.
Steve Smith motion to adjourn seconded by Dan Baker motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 20:44 hours.
Respectfully Submitted
Glenn Roemmich
Secretary
Commented [GR1]:
