GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S &
FIRE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION
G.C. Fire Academy
East Greenwich Twp.
June 11, 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 Fire Academy Director Bob Hill
NEW MEMBERS:
Battalion Chief Jay Reisenwitz
Lieutenant Thomas Gouse of the Paulsboro Fire Department
John Hoffman motion to accept the gentlemen in to the Association,
seconded by Glenn Frye, motion passed.
Rick Thomas motion to suspend normal order of Business second by Pat
Robinson, motion passed.
Joan Silbaugh motion that the Treasurer write a check to Penn Palace for $
173.88 for tonight's refreshments seconded by Matt Cardile, motion passed.
Mike Divito of the County Incident Management Team spoke about what
the team does and what they offer. The team will come into assist during
any incident, they will perform Incident Management items, but they will
not take over the incident.
Tom Butts introduced Sean Petty who gave the Association a review of the
700 radio system. The presentation is included with the minutes. Once the
unit arrives on location all of the responding units will switch and operate on
the fire ground channel. The incident commander will remain on the
repeater channel. The County will not be monitoring the fire ground
channels.
All of the radios will be programmed by the County, and each radio will
have an ID, the County will have the capability to shut down a radio, if
necessary. The 500 radio system will remain in service for a period of time.
There were a few questions from the membership which were answered.
One question was if the units on scene switch and operate on the fire ground
channel, which the Center does not monitor, and there is a problem or
someone hits their emergency button, who will hear that. The Incident
Commander and all of the radios on location will hear the message and the
Incident Commander will have to relay that information the Center.
Testing the system should take place in September and October with units
being switched over in phases.
MINUTES OF PAST MEETING:
Pat Robinson motion that the minutes May meeting be approved as emailed
seconded by, Matt Cardile, motion passed.
FREEHOLDER REPORT: Freeholder Chila stated that he had nothing to
report, the radio presentation covered everything. He wished everyone a
safe summer.
Freeholder Chila was going to leave President Zimm asked him to stay for
the next item on the agenda.
EXECUTIVE BOARD: The Executive board met on Tuesday with
representatives of Rowan College at Gloucester County regarding the Fire
Academy. Secretary Roemmich gave a report of the meeting. The College
intends to keep the Fire Academy in operation and it has been funded
through June of 2016 through the College's budget. The main problem at
this time is the burn building. Once the GCIT Fire fighter course is
complete the burn building will be shut down. It is the intention of the
College that the burn building will be removed. That decision was driven by
the College Insurance Company. The College does not have any money
available to replace the burn building.
With the closing and removal of the burn building the fire fighter 1 course
will have to us another facility for some of the classes including some of the
live burns.
Bob Hill from the Fire Academy and Paul Sandrock from the Camden
County Fire Academy has met and the majority of the firefighter 1 course
will be taught at our Academy and the necessary classes will be held at the
Camden County Fire Academy. Fire Company drills can still be held at the
Fire Academy, using the remaining props.
The County fire departments have to continue to show support for the fire
academy, as all discussions with the College always questions the usage of
the Academy by the County Fire Departments.
Bob Hill motion that the Association go on record showing that there is
strong interest in maintaining fire training in this County seconded by Bruce
Scott. A vote was taken with the results being unanimous.
Freeholder Chila advised that that he had met previously with the Fire
Academy Committee, but had heard nothing after their first meeting. He
stated that the Freeholder board wants to make sure that the County
firefighters are trained and safe. He asked what the numbers for what is
needed are. He suggested we come up with a plan, and he will work for
what is needed. A discussion was held on what type of structure is needed
for training, and that there should be a short and long term plan for the fire
academy. Anthony Baldasaro motion that we invite Senator Sweeny to our
September meeting seconded by Rick Crane. There were questions if we
want Senator Sweeny to attend the meeting. Al Giampola motion to table
the motion to invite Senator Sweeny, seconded by Pat Robinson. As there is
already a motion on the floor, Al Giampola's motion was not acted upon. Al
Giampola then stated that a motion to table would supersede the original
motion. However he rescinded his motion to table. A vote was the taken on
the motion to invite Senator Sweeny to the September meeting, that vote did
not pass. Motion was denied.
Under Robert's Rules of Order, the subsidiary motion to table is, properly,
used only when it is necessary to suspend consideration of a main motion in
order to deal with another matter that has come up unexpectedly and which
must be dealt with before the pending motion can be properly addressed.
[4]
It
has, however, become common to misuse the motion to end consideration of
the pending main motion without debate, or to mistakenly assume that its
adoption prevents further consideration of the main motion at all, or until a
specified time.
Additional discussions were held on the Fire Academy with many ideas or
opinions addresses. The Executive Board will continue to work on the Fire
Academy issue over the summer. They hope to have a meeting with
Freeholder Chila and Dean Fred Madden from the College. Any minutes
from Executive Board meeting will be forwarded for all to see.
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 01 to May 31, 2015 and the totals for the
year of 2015.
Inspections for the period: 168 Total for the Year: 586
Fire Investigations for the period: 28 Total for the Year: 92
Fire Fatalities for the period: 0 Total for the Year: 0
Fire Scene Injuries for the period: 12 Total for the year: 62
Juvenile Fire setter actions for the period: 1 Total for the Year: 5
Training Sessions for the period: 2 Total for the Year: 13
Fire Extinguisher Inspections: 51 Total for the Year: 54
Meetings/Lectures/Court for the period: 10 Total for the Year: 57
Fire Prevention Demo for the period: 1 Total for the Year: 1
Fit Testing for Other Agencies for Period: 06 Total for the Year: 22
Total Actions Taken by the Fire Marshal’s Office to date: 830
Respectfully Submitted;
Edward J. Johnson
Edward J. Johnson
Chief County Fire Marshal
County of Gloucester
Office of the Fire Marshal
FIRE ACADEMY REPORT: Bob Hill’s report is as follows:
FIRE ACADEMY DIRECTOR’S REPORT
REPORTING MONTH: June 11, 2015
GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE ACADEMY
FIREFIGHTER 1
Fall program scheduled to begin Friday August 7.
FIRE ACADEMY GENERAL BUSINESS
Accepting registrations for Fire Instructor II. This program starts
Thursday August 6.
Working with Mr. Jim Nelson and Ray Page of the college to secure
$5,000 donation to be used for certain tng. Programs. The money will
be available incrementally.
No progress to report on connecting our air compressor to electrical
service.
Burn building will close in a few days and most likely be removed in
the coming weeks.
TRAINING & EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL
No report
NJ DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY:
Reportedly certificates are not being issued.
Respectfully submitted
Robert V Hill Sr.
Director II
G.C. EMERGENCY RESPONSE REPORT: Director Tom Butts stated
he did not have anything else to report the presentation covered it all.
Bob Bramble questioned what the problem was on Sunday morning when
none of the radios were working. Dennis Kappler stated he will check on
what the problem was.
Fire Coordination: Dennis Kappler had nothing to report.
GLOUCESTER COUNTY EMS: Chris Rosser advised a CEVO course
will be held, the Secretary will send the information out in an email.
N. J. DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY: Captain Gallagher was unable to
attend, no report
N.J. STATE FIREMEN’S RELEIF ASSOCIATION: Bill McNulty stated
that all Officers are running unopposed in September and the County Caucus
will be held on Thursday August 20th at the Whitman Square firehouse at
7:30 pm.
N.J. FIREMENS HOME: Harry Strube said that things at the home were
running smooth.
N.J. EXEMPT ASSOCIATION: Glenn Roemmich reported that the
Exempt Convention will be held in October in South Amboy.
LAW & LEGISLATION: Frank Lambing had nothing to report.
BEAREAVMENT COMMITTEE: Rick Thomas advised that the
committee had assisted with 2 funerals. The committee is having a problem
with lack of assistance or participation.
The last funeral the committee assisted with they received assistance from
the Brooklawn Fire Company.
Rick Thomas motion that a Thank-You letter be sent to the Brooklawn Fire
Company for their assistance to the committee.
Also the last time the trailer was used the front wheel broke. The wheel has
been repaired and a bill has been turned into the treasurer.
SPECIAL COMMITTEES:
RADIO COMMITTEE: Nothing to report the presentation handled it all.
TECH RESCUE:
To: Gloucester County Fire Chief’s Association- Secretary
Subject: GCTRT Training Report for May
The Gloucester County Technical Rescue Task Force (GCTRT) was in
Gibbstown for the second drill of the rope rescue quarter. The attendance
for this month’s drill was 15 personnel.
GCTRT members were given a scenario where a high point anchor was
required to lift an injured patient off of a roof and lower to medical care.
Members utilized ladder 2116 and successfully rigged rope rescue systems
including the use of new rope rescue hardware. Skills practiced included
raises and lowers, mechanical advantage systems and conversions, patient
packaging, tag lines, and dual tension lowers.
The taskforce was in-service for a total of 3 hours.
Respectfully submitted,
Shawn Andersen
GCTRT Training Coordinator
Washington Twp. Fire District
TENDER TASK FORCE: Bob Bramble advised that
there will be a drill in Mantua Twp on Saturday June 13th.
OFFICER CANDIDATE COURSE: Matt Cardile reported that the
committee had come up with a course with 2 instructors, John Salka and
Frank Viscuso. The course will be titled Step Up and Lead. The tentative
date will be October 2nd & 3rd. The cost of the instructors will be $
6,650.00. They are looking into trying to get Wilson Music Hall at Rowan
University for the course.
Matt Cardile motion that letters be sent for Corporate Sponsorships
seconded by Pat Robinson, motion passed.
FOAM STRIKE TEAM: John Hoffman stated they are making progress
and they have had 2 drills the past month.
LARGE DIAMETER HOSE TASK FORCE: Progress
WEBSITE: No Report
CORRESPONDENCE: None
PAYMENT of BILLS:
Rick Thomas (Wheel Repair) $ 37.44
Fire Companies Dot Com (Web Site) $ 119.97
Dennis Kappler motion to pay the bills seconded by Frank Rehman, motion
passed.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
GLOUCESTER COUNTY FIRE CHIEF’S ASSOCIATION
TREASURER’S REPORT
June 11, 2015
REPORTING MONTH:
April 1, 2015
STARTING BALANCE
$6,886.12
1
TOTAL OF DEPOSITS
$ 85.00
TOTAL OF EXPENSES
$ -
ENDING BALANCE
$6,971.12
RECEIPTS
CAMPTOWN
$ 57.00
MEMBERSHIP
$ 20.00
DUES
$ 8.00
DEPOSITED
$ 85.00
EXPENSES
DATE
CH #
EXPENSE TOTAL
$ -
RESPECTFULLY
SUBMITTED
Robert V Hill Sr.
Treasurer
Bill McNulty motion to accept the treasurer’s report seconded by Archie
Roemmich, motion passed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Westville Fire Company, National Park Fire Company and Washington
Township Fire District are forming a Co-Op to purchase pagers, if any
Department is interested in joining let one of the Chief's know. The more
pagers that are purchased the lesser the cost.
Matt Cardile motion that the Banquet Committee look into other banquet
facilities for our annual banquet and report back, seconded by Mike Jacobi,
motion passed.
CAMPTOWN: $ 63.00
GOOD & WELFARE OF THE ASSOCIATION:
PLACE OF NEXT MEETING: September 10th Gloucester County
Emergency Response Center in Clayton at 1930 hours.
Harry Strube motion to adjourn seconded by Frank Rehman, motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 21:47 hours.
Respectfully Submitted
Glenn Roemmich
Secretary
