GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION
DEPTFORD FIRE DEPARTMENT
COOPER STREET STATION
June 10, 2021
The meeting was called to order by Past 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 Jeff Pfeiffer of 3
rd
Battalion of the Deptford Fire Department
NEW MEMBERS: None
Bill Bates motion to suspend normal order of business seconded by John
Polen, motion passed.
The floor was turned over to Bob Hill Director of the Gloucester County
Fire Academy for the Fire Fighter 1 Graduation: 5 students graduated for
the spring semester.
Cedarville Fire Fighter Elizabeth Devill was awarded both the Academic
and Practical Skills achievement awards with a final grade of 97.1.
Fire Academy Instructors who were present are:
Bob Hill
Bill Bates
Len Steen
Randall Gartner
Ian Muntenzberger
Bob Hill was awarded the Vern Evans award, chosen by the students and
instructors.
Pat Robinson motion to take a 10 minutes recess, seconded by Russell
Trumbull, motion passed
Past Vice President Smith called the meeting back to order at 19:56 hours.
MINUTES OF PAST MEETING:
Pat Robinson motion that the minutes of the May meeting be approved as
emailed seconded by, Jim Reed motion passed.
FREEHOLDER REPORT: Freeholder Christy was unable to attend the
meeting.
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 May 13, 2021 to June 10, 2021.
Inspections for the period: 252 Total for the Year: 1,393
Fire Safety Permits: 13 Total for the Year: 37
Fire Investigations for the period: 6 Total for the Year: 45
Fire Fatalities for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 2
Fire Scene Injuries for the period: 1 Total for the year: 8
Juvenile Fire setter actions for the period: 1 Total for the Year: 4
Fire Prevention/K9 Training/Demo for the period: 4 Total for the Year: 11
Fit Testing for Agencies for Period: 0
Total Actions Taken by the Fire Marshal’s Office to date: 1,499
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: No report
forwarded to the Secretary
G.C. EMERGENCY RESPONSE REPORT: Director of Fire Services
Jim Schmidt: No report
FIRE COORDINATION: Dennis Kappler advised that the Lawns Fire
Company is officially out of service.
HAZ-MAT: No report
GLOUCESTER COUNTY EMS: No report
N. J. DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY: No report
N.J. STATE FIREMEN’S RELEIF ASSOCIATION: Glenn Roemmich
advised that the Caucus this year will be a walk thru again, held at the
Paulsboro Firehouse on Thursday August 19
th
from 6 pm until 8 pm. You
will not receive any money for attending the Caucus but any Delegate who
does not attend will be penalized $ 100.00 from their convention
reimbursement check. You will be voting for me to continue as your
Executive Committeeman and Harry Strube Jr. to continue as your
representative to the Firemen’s Home Board of Managers.
The Convention will be held on Friday, 9/17/21 in Wildwood. This will
be a walk-thru voting convention. Delegates, Alternates and Life
Members can vote between 9am – 3pm on Friday, 9/17/21 at the
Convention Center (Fireman’s Hall). There will be no meetings. If there is
a line at 3 pm, the polls will stay open until the last person votes. The
Memorial Service will be posted on the State’s web-site. Delegates will
receive 2 day credit for the convention if they register that day.
Gloucester County Delegates and Life members will receive the following
for convention expenses:
Delegate: With Lodging - $742.00, Commute Only - $159.00
Life Members: With Lodging - $371.00, Commute Only - $80.00
As of 06-03- 2021 The advisory board met and approved 4 special relief
applications totaling $18,250.00. 3 supplemental applications were
submitted and approved for this period $41,500.00. The Committee
reviewed and approved 38 burial claims totaling $417, 056.00. The average
age of the deceased firefighters was 80 years old. 6 of the burial claims were
cancer related. Fiscal Year-to-date payout on burial claims $11,539,408.07.
Currently the office is providing a monthly reimbursement for 119 fire
fighters, & 31 Spouses through the Health Care Reimbursement program.
The NJSFA Age bill S-3277 passed the Senate vote 38-0, it is on the
Governor’s desk awaiting his signature, as of 4 pm this afternoon,
Assemblyman Burzichelli reached out to the Governor it could be signed as
early as tomorrow or next week. This afternoon at 12:30 there was a
meeting at the State office with the Officer’s myself and Assemblyman
Burzichelli at which time he advised that his bill A-5210 the Firemen’s
Home Bill has been pulled and will not be acted upon. The meeting was
held to discuss some portions of his pulled legislation and a resolution that
will be voted on during convention regarding the Firemen’s Home Board of
Managers. At convention Delegates and Life Members will see a Resolution
Question on the ballot. The office received 23 similar resolutions from 7
counties. Point Pleasant Relief Association was the first that came into the
office, so they were listed as proposing, but know this has received strong
support in at least 7 counties and will appear on the ballot in Wildwood for a
vote. Your vote is important.
RESOLUTION NO. 1
FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
OF POINT PLEASANT BEACH, OCEAN COUNTY
Shall the Resolution of the Point Pleasant Beach Firemen’s Relief
Association, Ocean County, proposing that the New Jersey State Firemen’s
Association seek a change in the existing statutes to eliminate the Board of
Managers and to bring the management, control and oversight of the New
Jersey State Firemen's Home under the New Jersey State Firemen's
Association as one of the many programs it currently offers, be approved.
The Resolution specifically requests the New Jersey State Firemen’s
Association to propose an amendment to the existing statutes to eliminate
the Board of Managers and to bring the management, control, and oversight
of the New Jersey State Firemen's Home under the New Jersey State
Firemen's Association as one of the many programs it currently offers.
A little history of the Home is: It was the New Jersey State Firemen’s
Association and the members of the Executive Committee that purchased the
building and property for the Firemen’s Home. They were also the first
board of managers.
The Officers and Executive Committee feel that there will be a better
continuity and transparency. After the most recent actions by the Firemen’s
Home e-board working without the knowledge of the full board to have the
funds go directly to the State Treasury, as well as removing the right of the
County to select its own County Manager, in our opinion there is a complete
disconnect of the mission the NJSFA. The Officers and Executive Board
wants and will work to continue to provide relief and care for our Brother
and Sister Firefighters. It is our opinion the current system needs correcting,
and this is the best way to accomplish that. At the conclusion of the
meeting all parties were in agreement, to work to try to bring better harmony
between the Board of Managers and the State Association.
A question was asked what other counties submitted similar resolutions.
They are as follows.
Bergen County; Waldwick, Wyckoff, New Milford,
Burlington County; Palmyra,
Hudson County; West New York, Kearny, Jersey City, Secaucus,
Middlesex County; Avenell, Milltown, Old Bridge, Port Reading,
Piscataway,
Ocean County; Point Pleasant Beach, Pine Beach, Berkeley, Little Egg
Harbor, Tuckerton,
Salem County; Salem, Woodstown, Upper Pittsgrove,
Sussex County; Sussex, Stillwater.
There were more resolutions that were not registered as they came in after
the deadline and or did not follow protocol for submission.
N.J. FIREMENS HOME: Harry Strube Jr. stated that the Covid
lockdown has been lifted.
N.J. EXEMPT ASSOCIATION: Glenn Roemmich reported that the
Exempt Convention is going to be a walk thru held on Saturday August 21
st
at the State Firemen’s Office in Wall Twp. from 8 am to Noon.
LAW & LEGISLATION: Frank Lambing nothing to report
BANQUET COMMITTEE:
Banquet Report
MENU:
Cocktail Hour: Cheese, Pepperoni and Vegetables
Dinner: Wedding Soup
Dinner: Tossed Salad, Dinner Rolls w/ Butter
Deviled Crab Cakes, Boneless Breast of Capon Italian Chicken
w/Herbed Mushrooms and Chopped Sirloin Steak w/ Mushroom
Sauce.
Vegetables: Green Beans and Miniature Buttered Potatoes
Desserts: Induvial Pastry Tray per Table
Cash Bar: Soda, Wine, Miller Lite and Yuengling Beer
Tickets: SOLD ONLY AT October, November and December Chief’s
Meeting.
Cost: $35.00 per person (Table of 8 is $280.00) Cash, Check or Dept.
Voucher for Payment
Elected Officers of Association to assist with 50/50 and Gift Prize Ticket
Sales.
Chief’s: Any new Apparatus or Building Additions, please have a picture
and brief description turned in no later then December’s Meeting for the
Program. 2020 and 2021 Only.
T Shirts from each company represented at GCFCA will be new addition for
door prizes.
Respectfully Submitted,
2021 Banquet Committee
AWARDS COMMITTEE: No Report
BY-LAW COMMITTEE: No Report, Chuck Murtaugh asked who was on
the committee as the By-Laws need to be reviewed.
BEAREAVMENT COMMITTEE: No Report
SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
RADIO COMMITTEE: No Report
TECH RESCUE: No Report
TENDER TASK FORCE: Bob Gould stated an email went out today
regarding a meeting of the group.
FOAM STRIKE TEAM: No Report
LARGE DIAMETER HOSE TASK FORCE: No Report
RIC COMMITTEE: No Report
TRAINING/FIRE ACADEMY COMMITTEE: No Report
LEADERSHIP COMMITTEE: No Report
STAFFING COMMITTEE: No Report
ST. FLORIAN COMMITTEE: No Report
CORRESPONDENCE: None
PAYMENT of BILLS: Bob Hill stated that we still have an outstanding
bill with Fire Companies.com.
Chuck Murtaugh motion to be the bill seconded by Jim Reed, motion
passed.
Chuck Murtaugh motion to have a banner placed on our Website that states
under construction, seconded by Hal Brown, motion passed.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Not forwarded to the Secretary.
Harry Strube motion to accept the treasurer’s report seconded by Bill Bates,
motion passed.
CAMPTOWN: $ 52.00
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Report of those who paid their dues:
PRINT DATE:
5/13/2021
ORGANIZATION
DEPOSIT
BALANCE
1
1
39-1
AURA
150.00
$150.00
2
18
LOGAN TWP
150.00
$300.00
3
29-5
CECIL FIRE
150.00
$450.00
4
41-1
CLAYTON FD
0.00
$450.00
5
6 3
COLONIAL MANOR
0.00
$450.00
6
9
DEPTFORD 4
BATTALIONS
600.00
$1,050.00
7
19
EAST GREENWICH
FIRE DISTRICT
150.00
$1,200.00
8
39-2
FERRELL FIRE
150.00
$1,350.00
9
43-5
FOREST GROVE FIRE
COMMISSION
150.00
$1,500.00
10
43-1
FRANKLINVILLE
150.00
$1,650.00
11
21-1
GREENWICH TWP
150.00
$1,800.00
12
26-1
GLASSBORO FD`
150.00
$1,950.00
13
6 6
GREENFIELDS-
VILLAGE
150.00
$2,100.00
14
36-1
HARRISONVILLE
FIRE
150.00
$2,250.00
15
23
HARRISON TWP FIRE
DISTRICT 1
150.00
$2,400.00
16
28-3
HIGHLAND
CHEMICAL ENGINE
$2,400.00
17
43-2
JANVIER
$2,400.00
18
39-3
LAWNS FIRE
COMPANY
$2,400.00
19
43-4
MALAGA FIRE
150.00
$2,550.00
20
22
MANTUA TWP
150.00
$2,700.00
21
8
NATIONAL PARK
150.00
$2,850.00
22
48-1
NEWFIELD
150.00
$3,000.00
23
17
PAULSBORO FIRE
$3,000.00
24
28-1
PITMAN
150.00
$3,150.00
25
43-3
STAR CROSS
$3,150.00
26
6 1
THOROFARE
$3,150.00
27
6 2
VERGA FIRE
150.00
$3,300.00
28
10
WASHINGTON TWP
FIRE COMMISSION
300.00
$3,600.00
P
E
N
D
I
N
G
29
13-1
WENONAH FIRE
150.00
$3,750.00
30
7
WESTVILLE FD
150.00
$3,900.00
31
29-1
WILLIAMSTOWN
150.00
$4,050.00
32
5
WOODBURY FD
$4,050.00
33
15-1
WOODBURY
HEIGHTS
150.00
$4,200.00
34
25-1
WOOLWICH FIRE
COMPANY
150.00
$4,350.00
TOTAL COLLECTED
$4,350.00
NEW BUSINESS:
Dan Baker stated that the beta test for the website should be up this weekend
and that the site should be up and running in late July.
CAMPTOWN: $ 52.00
GOOD & WELFARE OF THE ASSOCIATION: None
PLACE OF NEXT MEETING: September 9
th
Gloucester County Fire
Academy 1930 hours.
Frank Lambing motion to adjourn seconded by Pat Robinson motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 2020 hours.
Respectfully Submitted
Glenn Roemmich
Secretary
