GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION
ANNUAL BANQUET
MASSO’S CATERING BALLROOM
January 13, 2022
The annual banquet was called to order by President Matt Cardile 19:04
hours, the group then saluted the flag had a moment of silence for our fallen
brothers and sisters, then the invocation was given by Father Burgess of
Christ Church in Woodbury.
President Cardile then welcomed everyone and introduced quests and Past
Presidents in attendance.
President Cardile then called on County Commissioner Frank DiMarco to
administer the Oath of Office to the 2022 Officers.
County Commissioner Director then spoke to those in attendance.
County Surrogate Joe Chila then gave a few remarks to the group.
President Cardile then gave a few remarks on where he believes the
organization is headed and a few of his ideas for the Association to continue
with and to move forward. He also saluted the County 9-1-1 dispatching
staff at the Gloucester County Communications Center.
Dinner was then served by the staff at Masso’s.
President Cardile then introduced the guest speaker: Christiana Fire Chief
Kevin Cowperthwait. Who spoke to the group, regarding riding and seat
assignments which should help the command Officer knowing where the fire
fighters should be when arriving on scene.
President Cardile then presented a gift to Chief Cowperthwait for his
participation during the banquet.
President Cardile then called upon the Chaplin Rev. Tim Nessler and Father
Burgess to conduct a short memorial service to remember those who had
passed away during 2020 and 2021.
President Cardile then called on the awards committee. The awards
committee had presented awards, from unit citations to Life Saving awards.
President Cardile then presented a gift to Father Burgess, for his continued
support of the Fire Service in Gloucester County. Father Burgess’s church,
Christ Church in Woodbury, along with Father Burgess has been the driving
force behind the Annual Feast of Saint Florian blessing of the fire apparatus
and the Saint Florian service for many years. This will be the last year that
Father Burgess will be taking part in the service as Father Burgess will be
moving to the Springfield Illinois area to serve as the Bishop for the
Churches in that area.
President Cardile then entertained a motion made by Dana DeCesari,
seconded by Dan Bake that the Association make Larry Crane Membership
Secretary Emeritus. The motion was passed. President Cardile then
presented Larry crane with a gift for his many years serving the Association
as Membership Secretary.
President Cardile then called retired Chief Dispatcher Diane Morgan to the
podium and presented her with a gift from Association in recognition for her
many years of service to the Emergency Services in County as a dispatcher,
Senior PST and as Chief Dispatcher.
President Cardile then called Chief Dennis Kappler to the podium, he
relayed a few stories about Dennis, his many years of service to the fire
service, including those years as a Public Safety Telecommunicator, Senior
Public Safety Telecommunicator, County Fire Coordinator, Chief of the
County Haz-Mat Team and Coordinator for the Neptune System. Dennis
then spoke about Matt and those who worked with Dennis. Dennis was
presented with a gift from the Association upon his retirement from the
County.
The banquet committee then awarded door prizes and the large raffles.
President Cardile then thanked the banquet committee for another job well
done on the banquet.
The place of the next meeting will be Harrisonville Fire Company Thursday
February 10th 2022 at 19:30 hours.
Motion made by Butch Myers to adjourn, seconded by Drew Sole, motion
passed.
The meeting adjourned at 21:37 hours.
Respectfully Submitted
Glenn Roemmich
Secretary
