GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S & FIRE

OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION

Almonesson Fire Station

Deptford Fire Department

April 9, 2015

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

group saluted the flag the invocation was given by Assistant Chaplain

Archie Roemmich.

Address of welcome was given by Retired Battalion Chief Chris Pfeiffer of

Battalion 3 Deptford Fire Department.

NEW MEMBERS:

Captain Michael White of the Deptford Fire Department

Lieutenant Leonard Steen Jr. of the Deptford Fire Department

Lieutenant Jason Kell of the Deptford Fire Department

Lieutenant John J. Willard Jr. of the Deptford Fire Department

Rick Thomas motion to accept the applicants into the Association seconded

by Archie Roemmich, motion passed.

MINUTES OF PAST MEETING:

Bill McNulty motion that the minutes March meeting be approved as

emailed seconded by Pat Robinson, motion passed.

FREEHOLDER REPORT: Freeholder Chila advised that the Freeholders

are presently working on the budget. And that work on the new radio

system is progressing. And that the staff at the communications center is

constantly updating the Pro Phoenix CAD System.

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 March 01 to March 31, 2015 and the totals for the year of 2015.

Inspections for the period: 157 Total for the Year: 229

Fire Investigations for the period: 18 Total for the Year: 52

Fire Fatalities for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 0

Fire Scene Injuries for the period: 9 Total for the year: 48

Juvenile Fire setter actions for the period: 1 Total for the Year: 3

Training Sessions for the period: 5 Total for the Year: 7

Fire Extinguisher Inspections: 2 Total for the Year: 2

Meetings/Lectures/Court for the period: 12 Total for the Year: 36

Fire Prevention Demo for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 0

Fit Testing for Other Agencies for Period: 04 Total for the Year: 10

Total Actions Taken by the Fire Marshal’s Office to date: 339

Respectfully Submitted;

Edward J. Johnson

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

Gloucester County Firefighter’s & Fire Officer’s Association

FIRE ACADEMY DIRECTOR’S REPORT

REPORTING MONTH: April 9, 2015

GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE ACADEMY

 FIREFIGHTER 1

 Spring program underway with nineteen students participating

 Class now beginning live fires

 Certain chiefs are being noticed of problems associated with

their members

FIRE ACADEMY GENERAL BUSINESS

 Thank you to all companies assisting with providing cylinder refilling.

 Awaiting a quote to complete much needed repairs on the burn

building.

 Will announce start date for fall semester next month.

TRAINING & EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL

 Thank you to Washington Township Fire District for

hosting the first of two scheduled pilot offerings of the new

driver training program.

 A second pilot will be held at the academy on April 25.

NJ DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY:

 NJ Weekend registrations available through Kean Fire

Safety.com

 Division insists on barring any “walk-ins”

Respectfully submitted

Robert V Hill Sr.

Director II

Bob advised the Association that all Chief’s should be sure that their

members have their Division of Fire Safety number, which will be required

for all Division courses and testing. The Division will no long accept Social

Security numbers. Also for National Fire Academy Courses you have to

make sure that you have your Federal ID number.

There has been an ongoing problem with the burn building with the 2 roofs

that are exposed to the weather, the seals have been leaking. It has caused

the ceilings in those 2 rooms to become very problematic and unsafe. As of

today Bob has shut those 2 rooms down, no firefighters are to enter those

rooms while training. The cost to repair the problem would be

approximately $ 7,000.00, however that would only mask the problem, and

with the other problems with antiquated technology Bob does not feel the

repair would be cost effective. A few discussions were held on the burn

building and the Fire Academy. Bob did advise that the firefighter 1 course

will be able to finish the semester, but after the firefighter 1 course is

complete he is doubtful that the burn building will be available for use.

A few questions regarding the repair work was asked, and answered. Bob

did say that the future firefighter 1 courses may have to use the burn

building at the Camden County Fire Academy, but Bob and Paul Sandrock

had already had discussions about that possibility.

Freeholder Chila advised that the Freeholders have talked about the Fire

Academy. The Freeholders goal is to continue the training of firefighters.

The County will continue to cover the cost of the firefighter 1 program.

One problem for the Freeholders, has been the usage of the Fire Academy,

last year 7 municipalities did not use the Academy.

Bob did advise that to replace the present burn building the cost would be

close to 1 million dollars.

President Zimm, Freeholder Chila, and Bob will continue to update the

Association on the progress and discussions held regarding the Fire

Academy.

G.C. EMERGENCY RESPONSE REPORT: Director Tom Butts

advised that work on 2 of the tower sites for the 700 radio project, has been

completed to where the shelter to house the equipment and generators can be

installed. They hope to install the first shelter next week. There are a total

of 9 tower sites that will have to be completed. The vendor that will be

installing the base stations in each fire station wants to start contacting

Chief’s so that they can prepare to start the installation process. The County

has 3000 radios in stock and will start to program them. Tom is hopeful that

testing of the system will begin sometime in July.

Fire Coordination: Dennis Kappler thanked the fire departments that have

assisted with cascade system at the Fire Academy while the air compressor

has been down. He will be asking for assistance during the Fire Science

class, for the filling of air bottles that will be during the day. Also he has

talked with Rick Harris, from the Fire Science program, and he reminded all

of the course, enrollment for next year’s school year is very low.

Dennis also advised that the Wildland Interface Plan for the County has been

completed. He thanked Ed Johnson and Mike Gallagher for their work on

the plan.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY EMS: No report

N. J. DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY: Captain Gallagher advised of some

changes within the Department of Community Affairs. And that Chris

Eckert of the Division will be retiring June 1

If any Chief has any question on training records for their members as to

what the Division has on file just contact the Division and they can get you a

list of your firefighter’s qualifications.

The Emergency Preparedness Conference will be held in Atlantic City in

May.

There will be a Highway Safety Class being held on April 29

at the Chews

Landing Fire Station starting at 0900 hours. If you have members who need

to attend contact Mike.

The Division has met with members of the Philadelphia Fire Department

discussing upcoming large events which will be held in Philadelphia.

The Division is also working on a regional liquid rail plan that will cover all

liquids that are transported by rail, more information will be forthcoming.

N.J. STATE FIREMEN’S RELEIF ASSOCIATION: Bill McNulty

advised that the delegates list are due in the State office by May 1

, there are

7 local associations in the county that are not in yet. And the financial

quarterly report is due by April 30

there are 10 local associations in the

county that have not reported yet.

N.J. FIREMENS HOME: Harry Strube advised that they have started

working on their 2016-2017 budget. The bids for the new electrical service

in the admin building were rejected and will be rebid. Also there are 7 open

beds in the long term section of the home.

N.J. EXEMPT ASSOCIATION: Glenn Roemmich reported that the State

Memorial service will be held in Secaucus on April 18

at 1100 hours.

LAW & LEGISLATION: Frank Lambing reported that the New Home

Fire Safety Act which would require the installation of fire suppression

systems in new single and two family homes during the home’s construction

has passed both houses and is sitting on the governor’s desk awaiting his

signature.

AUDITING COMMITTEE: Butch Myers reported that the trustees had

met with the Treasurer on April 1

and found his books to be in order. Rick

Thomas motion to accept the auditing committee report seconded by Mike

Gallagher, motion passed.

BY-LAW COMMITTEE: The proposed By-Law changes were read they

are as follows:

Article III Membership

Section 6. Active members

An active member shall meet the requirements as stated in Article III,

Section 1. To be considered an Active member he/she must attend at least

four (4) meetings during each calendar year.

Section 7. Life Members

A Life Member shall have completed ten (10) years of active service of

attending at least four (4) meetings during each calendar year in the

Association, none of which need to be consecutive but all must be credited

as active. Life memberships are to be awarded at the next annual meeting.

Fred Lock Motion to accept the proposed changes seconded by Archie

Roemmich, motion passed by unanimous vote.

The Secretary will see that the webmaster gets the changes to update the By-

Laws on the website.

BEAREAVMENT COMMITTEE: Eric Farley advised nothing to report

at this time.

SPECIAL COMMITTEES:

RADIO COMMITTEE: Nothing to report, they have not had a meeting.

TECH RESCUE:

To: Gloucester County Fire Chief’s Association- Secretary

Subject: GCTRT Training Report for April

The Gloucester County Technical Rescue Task Force (GCTRT) was in

Washington Township as well as the GCFA for this month’s drills. The

average attendance for the drills was 18 personnel. GCTRT members

completed the NJ State Police Confined Space Operations program. This

will serve as a refresher for the senior members and initial certification for

newer members. Members were instructed and demonstrated skills in

patient packing, metering, rope skills, and tripod set-up. The taskforce was

in-service for a total of 7.5 hours.

Respectfully submitted,

Shawn Andersen

GCTRT Training Coordinator

Washington Twp. Fire District

TENDER TASK FORCE: It was reported that they had a meeting and

have a drill scheduled for June4th in Mantua Township.

FOAM STRIKE TEAM: Chief Hoffman advised that they have updated

their resource list and has submitted the same to the County and State. They

have 2 exercises’ planned for May 4

& 5

LARGE DIAMETER HOSE TASK FORCE: They are working on

updating the task force.

ST. FLORIAN COMMITTEE: There will be a meeting of the committee

on Monday April 20th at 4 pm at the Christ Church Rectory.

The St. Florian service will be held on Sunday May 3

. Rev. Davis advised

that there are postcards and posters on the front table; please take them back

to your stations. The static display of apparatus and the blessing of the

apparatus will begin at 5:00 pm. The procession to the church will begin at

6:00 pm. If your station has an antique apparatus, the committee is asking

to have that attend. Also during the service the Medal of Mercy award will

be awarded, if you have any members of your departments that are also

involved with humanitarian functions or religious functions. Please consider

nominating them for the award, contact Chief Hoffman.

CORRESPONDENCE: None

PAYMENT of BILLS:

Surety Bond $ 150.00

Deptford Fire Department $ 452.60

Deptford Fire Department is being reimbursed for the purchase of the impact

gun and materials, which is for the bereavement trailer.

Rick Thomas motion to pay the bills, seconded by Matt Cardile, motion

passed.

TREASURER’S REPORT:

GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION

TREASURER’S REPORT

April 9, 2015

REPORTING MONTH:

March 1, 2015

STARTING BALANCE

$7,426.69

TOTAL OF DEPOSITS

$ 357.00

TOTAL OF EXPENSES

$ 419.97

ENDING BALANCE

$7,363.72

RECEIPTS

CAMPTOWN

$ 43.00

MEMBERSHIP

$ -

DUES

$ 14.00

BANQUET (PITMAN)

$ 300.00

DEPOSITED

$ 357.00

EXPENSES

DATE

CH #

3/12/2015

239

NJ FIREMENS HOME

$ 300.00

3/12/2015

240

FIRECOMPANIES.COM

$ 119.97

EXPENSE TOTAL

$ 419.97

RESPECTFULLY

SUBMITTED

Robert V Hill Sr.

Treasurer

Motion made by Dana Decesari to accept the Treasurers report seconded by

Harry Strube, motion passed.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Anthony Baldasaro brought up the Officer

Candidate course, he stated he had been in contact with a few people

regarding the course. The President asked if the Association was still

interested in holding such a course. The President asked for those interested

to raise their hand, there about 15 hands that were raised. The president

appointed the following committee to work on the project:

Anthony Baldasaro

Ryan Pierson

Matt Cardile

NEW BUSINESS: Chuck Murtaugh stated that the last vote was

embarrassing, as an Association we should be leading in the training of new

Officers, and should strive to assist when we can.

CAMPTOWN: $ 59.00

GOOD & WELFARE OF THE ASSOCIATION: Nothing from the

floor.

PLACE OF NEXT MEETING: May 14

Forest Grove Fire Company

Franklin Township at 1930 hours.

Rick Thomas motion to adjourn seconded by Harold Brown, motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 20:29 hours.

Respectfully Submitted

Glenn Roemmich

Secretary