2005 Convention Minutes
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The 119th Annual Convention of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's
Association convened at Middlesex High School, 300 Kennedy Drive, Middlesex,
New Jersey, on Saturday, June 11, 2005, at 9:20 a.m. President Archie
Roemmich presiding.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Call the meeting to order.
I got an announcement before we start. At this time, I would like to request all
pagers, cellphones, other alerting devices be set on the silent or vibrate mode.
Should it become necessary to answer a pager call, please respect the fact that
the meeting is in progress and conduct your business outside of the meeting
area. And our exits are two to the back, one on each side here in the front.
If for any reason we have to go out, we will be directed out.
Second Vice President Bill Egbert, Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Let
everybody stand, and once you are standing, stay standing for the prayer.
(Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag led by Second Vice President William Egbert.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Chaplain Charlie Weiss.
CHAPLAIN WEISS: Shall we pray. Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we
invoke your heavenly blessing upon us as we open our 119th Annual Convention
of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association. Our voices of thanks-
giving are raised to you, Father, for all the firefighters who respond to our aid
when called upon, especially for those who have joined our military. They have
gone the extra mile plus, Father, and we ask for their swift return, if it be your
will. Father, we ask your blessing upon our convention. We pray for our officers
as they lead us through our decisions. May what we do and say meet with your
approval. May you continue to guide this association and all firefighters through-
out this state and nation. May we continue to be a nation under Your name.
Amen. Please be seated.
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STATISTICIAN WAINWRIGHT: Mr. President, we have a quorum --
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you.
STATISTICIAN WAINWRIGHT: -- of 111 associations.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you very much.
Moving right on, Frank Gluckler, the award ceremony.
MR. GLUCKLER: I will combine this with a short committee report. The New
Jersey State Exempt Firemen's community service award. Firefighters on
earning their exemption have already showed their willingness to help their fellow
citizens in the dangerous job of fire suppression. Most of them never had the
opportunity to be a hero, but the one we want to honor has been the backbone
of his company, not only at a call but in keeping up with the company's work.
He might spend extra time in attending the meetings of mutual aid or state
organizations, he might be one of those overworked for fire prevention week or
other contacts with the community. He might help with the little league or
scouts. He might just be the one who grabs the broom and keeps the truck bay
neat, who putters around outside the fire house keeping the landscaping looking
good. Perhaps the most important part of his activity will be his activities in the
community. He will be active in the little league, scouting, church activities, and
any other place he finds that he can help. He volunteers for the personal pride he
feels and not for the publicity. And he will currently be an active member of the
Exempt Firemen's Association. The award is given every year and the award
consists of a plaque, a check for $100, and a bar for him to wear on his uniform.
Horace McCurdy of Delran Fire Company is the winner this year. He's been a
member of Delran for more than 55 years. During that time he has served many
offices in the company, including a term as chief. He's been the treasurer of the
Delran Firemen's Relief Association for more than 30 years. He was a charter
member of the Delran Township Exempt Firemen's Association and has been
treasurer for more than 30 years. He's a Life Member of the Burlington County
Fire Chiefs Association, the Exempts and the New Jersey State
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Firemen's Association. And has also been a member of the Delran Emergency
Squad for many years and continues to respond to calls. The New Jersey State
Exempt Firemen's Association is proud to have such a fine example of one of its
members serving so freely and unselfishly in many ways. Now, there's just one
thing, we found out that Horace McCurdy has made an unrefundable deposit for
another activity and he can't be here today. So the award will be given at the
Burlington County Exempt Firemen's Association meeting on August 29, and we
hope to have a good delegation from the State Exempts there. Thank you.
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you, Frank.
Mr. Secretary, Thomas J. Haborak Senior, roll call to the convention.
SECRETARY HABORAK: I'm going to read the short version, the condensed one.
To the Local Associations of Exempt Firemen affiliated with The New Jersey
State Exempt Firemen's Association, Incorporated. The 119th Annual Convention.
Hosted by the Middlesex Fire Department and the Middlesex Exempt
Association will be held at Middlesex High School, 300 Kennedy Drive,
Middlesex, New Jersey 08846, Saturday, June 11, 2005. Election of Exempt
Delegates: Elect five (5) delegates and five (5) alternates, one or more of whom
shall act in the place of any delegate or delegates chosen who may be unable to
attend the State Convention, the names of said delegates and alternates to be
forwarded to the Secretary of the State Exempt Firemen's Association. New
Jersey State Firemen's Association Convention: On or before the second
Wednesday of April, 2005, elect (1) Delegate and one (1) Alternate (only one to
attend) to the convention of the New Jersey State Firemen's Association and
kindly forward the Credentials immediately to the Secretary of your Local Relief
Association as it must be in the East Orange Office on or before June 1, 2005,
otherwise your delegates will not be seated. Kindly take care of this at your first
meeting of the new year of 2005.
(NOTE: DULY INCORPORATED MEANS THAT THE LOCAL EXEMPT
ASSOCIATION MUST BE INCORPORATED UNDER N.J.S.A. TITLE 15-A-NON
PROFIT CORPORATIONS.)
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Grave Markers: Grave markers may be purchased from DAN FORD, 28 West
Delavue Avenue, Carneys Point, New Jersey 08069, (856) 299-9434, (Southern
Region) or STEVE CLAR, 12 Myrtle Avenue, Nutley, New Jersey 07110-3716,
(973) 667-7734, (Northern Region). For price quotes: A check or money order
must accompany the order in the right amount.
Flags: The Memorial
Flags may be purchased from CHRIS ASSENHEIMER, 444
Central Avenue, Carlstadt, New Jersey 07072-1524, 1-(201)438-3450, at a price
of $40 per dozen, (includes shipping.) In order to secure flags it will be necessary
to mail check or money order in the correct amount when ordering the flags.
Please order early so you will be sure to receive the flags in time for Memorial
Day.
Registration: Registration of Life Members and Delegates will be from 8:00 a.m.
to 10:00 a.m. The following blank report forms are enclosed herewith:
1 - MEMORIAL REPORT.
2 - ELECTION OF DELEGATES & ALTERNATES & LIFE MEMBER REPORT.
3 - STATISTICAL REPORT.
4 - CREDENTIALS OF DELEGATES.
5 - LIFE MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE.
The State Secretary requests you to send Report Numbers 1, 2, 3, & 4 as soon
as possible after your election and they can be completed.
DO NOT RETURN THE CREDENTIALS OF DELEGATES OR THE LIFE
MEMBERSHIP CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE. CREDENTIALS OF
DELEGATES ARE TO BE GIVEN TO THE DELEGATES, AND LIFE MEMBER-
SHIP CERTIFICATES OF ATTENDANCE TO BE GIVEN TO THE LIFE
MEMBERS TO BE TURNED IN AT THE CONVENTION AS THEY REGISTER.
ALL REPORTS MUST BE TYPED OR PRINTED.
Fraternally yours,
Thomas J. Haborak, Sr., State Secretary
440 Neville Street
Perth Amboy, New Jersey 08861-3111, (732) 826-8910.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you.
We have an address of welcome, mayor of Middlesex Borough.
MAYOR BOBIES: I don't know if I want to give my name with the heat that's in
this place today.
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I'm going to stall a little because we thought we were going to be here at ten
o'clock and our fire chief is now getting dressed. Here he comes now, I think.
First of all, you'll be happy to know I don't have a long speech. Secondly, you'll
find out I'm not an Exempt fireman. But what I wanted to get the shirt and jacket
for, let me go through everything and if there is any problems tonight, I want to
be with the good guys. So on behalf of the governing body and our citizens, I
welcome you to Middlesex Borough. I hope the convention today is a fruitful
place for you today. I hope that you can stay later on, enjoy some of the
festivities. Especially if you can come back with your families tonight, I
understand that our fireworks display is second to none. And I'm even told that
we are going to beat New York City. So, again, thank you for coming to
Middlesex and, again, enjoy your stay here.
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Now, the chief of the fire department, Ed Winters.
(Applause.)
CHIEF WINTERS: Good morning. My speech is going to be nice and short. I
welcome everybody to the Borough of Middlesex. Have a good time, have a safe
convention, and thank you for picking us for your host.
Thank you.
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Now, I want everyone to stand up, the soloist is going
to sing the National Anthem for us. (National Anthem sung by Frank Bozzomo.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: I'd like to call Chris Assenheimer to the podium for
the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs Association.
MR. ASSENHEIMER: Good morning, everybody. President Roemmich, Vice
Presidents Pawlak and Egbert, Reverend Clergy and all Honored Guests. It is
with great honor and distinction that I stand before you at today's Convention as
vice president of the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs Association. On behalf of
president Bernie Cohan,
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who could not attend today, and vice president Jim Hensley, our trustees, and
our executive board, we wish you a very successful convention. This year, 2005,
marks the 100th anniversary of the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs. Our motto: In
union there is strength, has been a guiding light for our association for all these
years. For those of you that are not members of the New Jersey State Fire
Chiefs Association, why not join? Not only are chiefs both past and present
eligible, so are captains, lieutenants and personnel in charge of fire suppression.
Please see me after the convention for additional information. Our annual
meeting will be in Wildwood on the Thursday of the convention weekend, that is
September 15th, 2005, in the Firefighters Convention Center. Our scholarship
and valor awards will be announced during the annual meeting. Our web site is
back up and running and is quite good. Please check it out at njfirechiefs.com.
You won't be disappointed. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak at
your convention and remember to check and test your smoke detector and
carbon monoxide detector tonight when you get home. They really are our first
line of defense. God bless America. Thank you.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you, Chris.
Now, we will have Patti Williver assistant -- she's the past president of the New
Jersey State Firemen's Auxiliary.
MS. WILLIVER: Thank you. I'm here representing Kathy Schwab, who is
president of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Firemen of the State of New Jersey. My
name is Patti Willever and I'm a past president. I also have with me Kay Lewis
who is also past president of the auxiliary. This is very brief. Hi, fellow firemen
and friends. First I would like to thank you for your kind invitation to represent
the ladies auxiliary of the firemen of the State of New Jersey of which I have been
a member and an officer for 25 years. I have also been very fortunate to visit our
burn centers in the state and also the Boonton Firemen's Home always
representing our State Ladies Auxiliary.
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We financially support these very worthwhile causes. We have supported and
presented the trophies for the best appearing ladies auxiliary in Wildwood each
year for the past 20 years. Again, we are very thankful for your kind invitation
and extend to you the handshake of gratitude to the Exempt Firemen State of
New Jersey. Thank you and God bless you.
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Ladies Auxiliary of the Exempt Firemen of New
Jersey, First Vice President, Norma Lowe.
MS. LOWE: Good
morning, I'm First Vice President of the Ladies Auxiliary of
the New Jersey State Firemen's Association. I'm going to make it brief and
short. I hope you have a very good convention, enjoy the parade, and see you
next year. Thank you.
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Leigh Peterson of the New Jersey State Relief
Association. He will be late. He's at another meeting right now. So when he
comes in, we will have him come to the podium.
Bill Oser will give the report for the Firemen's Home.
MR. OSER: Good morning, everybody. Greetings from the New Jersey Firemen's
Home, chairman Max Weber, Bill Hunt, our firefighter guests, and myself. The
Firemen's Home was chartered by the New Jersey State Legislature in 1898 and
the first firefighter entered in September 22, 1900. The Home is a skilled nursing
home with a 101-bed capacity. It is located on 88 acres in Boonton, New Jersey,
and it has a staff of approximately 120. The Home is managed by a 23-member
board. They are elected by their respective county organization at the annual
caucus for a term of four years. The qualification to enter the Home is being a
New Jersey firefighter career or volunteer, served one year as an active firefighter
in a recognized municipal or local fire department. Your county manager will have
the applications when needed upon your entry.
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As of May 2005, there are 67 long-term guests. Those are the ones that require
around the clock care. And 11 residential guests, those who can take care of
themselves, approximately 80 percent of the time. We lost 33 people as of May.
The Home is inspected by the New Jersey Department of Health annually and it
just recently passed its inspection, as usual. It continually and consistently
passes the test. We are extremely grateful for the local fire companies, county
associations, other fire and non-fire associations throughout the state who have
contributed to the Home. In 2005, Bergen County donated a gazebo for the front
portion of the Home. It is going to be 12 feet by 24 feet. The Mercer County
Association decorated the Home's Klondike Room. That is for entertainment.
And it included a 60-inch LCD TV. Also they remodelled two guest rooms with
bed and accessories. Morris Countyrequested a grant from HUD for a new ADA
ramp for the dining area. The Home under its yearly maintenance will be installing
a new domestic hot water heating system and replacing 10 windows on the third
floor of the mansion. In closing, the guests, county managers, the administration
and staff say thank you to the New Jersey fire service. And I thank you also.
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you very much for your comments. At this
time, I'd like to call Paul Roman, chairman of the New Jersey State Institute.
MR. ROMAN: Ladies and gentlemen, it's an honor to be here on behalf of the
Institute, it's the New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Institute. Some of you
may know that I recently lost my father. He turned 100, got his life's dream, and,
unfortunately, it was his time to go. He was an interesting character, however,
every day he smoked a cigar and ate a whole raw onion. We never knew what his
dying words were, nobody could; who could get close enough to find out? We
also had electronics problems in our home. Every night late at night he'd call
with another problem. One night he called to complain about the new electronics
in his bathroom. He'd open the door and the light would go on, he'd close
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the door and the light would go out. I said, pop, your peeing in the refrigerator,
for God's sake. But I loved him. It's a very famous town by the way, they just
elected the blue jay as the official greeter, it made the national headlines. The
New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute was formed in 1992
in response to several other initiatives in New Jersey. As you all know, in 1983
the New Jersey Uniform Fire Act was signed into law by the then governor Tom
Kean. Both the legislature and the executive branches came to recognize the
tragedies visited upon our state by fire and declared that collectively we were
going to do something to address these compelling needs. An agency was
established which later became the Division of Fire Safety, and in response to all
of that and as a grassroots coalition and similar to the Congressional Fire
Services Institute, a group of farsighted individuals led by Ken Anderson, our
founding president, formed the New Jersey Fire Institute, Fire Services Institute.
The Institute is an association of emergency services organizations, emergency
responders and now industry and elected officials. We research, exchange and
cultivate information and relationships among constituents about the issues
affecting emergency response and life safety issues in New Jersey. Our goal is
to research, provide recommendations and communicate issues to emergency
services organizations like you, statewide advisory groups, interested individuals,
and the community in New Jersey. We provide information through speakers,
seminars, physician papers and so on. We offer testimony for hearings,
committee meetings and provide information to legislative staff through our
government relations firm MBI-Gluck-Shaw. We facilitate relationships by partic-
ipating in coalition meetings, which we have recently done with the various chiefs
associations to try to elevate certain issues in the eyes of the legislature and the
governor. This will lead to better development of synergy between local govern-
ment and emergency service providers and increase the discussion among the
interested parties.
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We uphold positions on legislation supporting implementation of solutions for
emergency service issues and concerns. Our guiding relationship principles are
to promote collaboration consensus among constituents. We meet quarterly at
the Monmouth Junction Fire Company. We have representatives from the major
fire organizations in New Jersey. We speak with one voice at the State House.
We keep issues short and succinct and our goal again is to also educate the
public and partner, partner, partner. Politics can make you rise or fall; as many
people have noticed
in today's environment, if you don't come to the table, you
don't get a seat. So the Institute is one of your strong voices in Trenton. We
have worked on a position paper to talk about the future of emergency manage-
ment in New Jersey, the Emergency Management Agency, "A New View For A
New Century," and it focuses on the impact of fire and EMS as part of the
triangle and equal partners in emergency services. Finally, we have a brochure
that's down on the front step here between the speakers, if you would like to read
more about the Institute. We are coming out with a whole new marketing
package to take to industry. To get proper funding, JJ & Association and Jack
Murphy have been hired by the Institute to act as our executive director, along
with Kathy Capano who works at the Blaustein School at Rutgers to help us with
legislative initiatives, and we are out there for you. And we encourage you in the
future when we open up the membership to various individuals -- to all individuals
in the fire service and not just become an organization of organizations, that you
will join us and work with us and step along with us to the progress of the fire
and EMS system in the state of New Jersey. Ladies and gentlemen of the
bravest of New Jersey, I salute you.
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: I now call to the podium the Executive Committeeman
for Middlesex County.
MR. LOMBARDI: Good morning ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Middlesex
County. We would like to thank the Borough of Middlesex for hosting
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our 119th Annual State Convention. And congratulations to the Middlesex Fire
Department on their 100th anniversary. We hope everyone has an enjoyable
celebration today and safe fireworks display tonight. Thank you.
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Now, it gives me great pleasure to introduce
Donna Buscio. Donna.
MS. BUSCIO: Thank you. Good morning, gentlemen, ladies. I'd like to thank
you very much for inviting me to be here today. My name is Donna Buscio and
I'm here to tell you about a health care program which I created in memory of my
late husband Captain Dominick Buscio. Dom was a Jersey City firefighter for 18
years. Unfortunately, he suffered a massive heart attack at the age of 39 years
old. A year and a half before his death, coincidentally, another Jersey City
firefighter, a close friend of ours, suffered a heart attack at 39 years old. I
encouraged Dom at the time to go for a complete physical and he did. And he
received the usual EKG and blood work. And the doctor told him pretty much he
had moderately high cholesterol and he should go on a low cholesterol diet and
come back in a year. Being at the age of 39 and you're in very good physical
condition, with a healthy lifestyle, he opted not to return the next year. We all
know what the outcome of that was. And in front of you, you have a brochure
and that is about the health care program which I created in Dom's memory.
When this happened to Dom, I had a lot of questions, like, how could this
happen to a 39-years-old firefighter who seems to be in perfectly healthy
condition? What about the fire department and physicals? I found out a lot of
things. Of course the state, a lot of departments don't have mandatory physicals,
not that I would want them to. But a lot of firefighters over the generations have
-- especially career
firefighters and even volunteers have stayed away from
physical examinations. Kind of a mind set of what I don't know and the doctor
don't know and the department don't know won't hurt us.
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If we look at the fatalities in the pamphlet you have in front of you, at the center
there's a pie chart there and you can see heart disease is the number one killer
of firefighters, not fires, not fallen debris, not asphyxiation, heart disease. I'd like
to take heart disease and change those unfortunate fatalities that you see. So
far this program has been in place for three and a half years. It has been
presented to over 7000 firefighters across the State of New Jersey. I'm now
opening this program to volunteer firefighters across the State of New Jersey. It
has saved many lives, one out of every 90 firefighters that I present to, wind up
having cardiac intervention. Now that I've told you a little bit about the history
of
this program, I'd like to tell you exactly what it includes. The program offers a very
comprehensive examination to firefighters. It is very convenient. It offers the
convenience of having all the testing done in one place at one time. As you
know, nowadays it's very hard to receive medical care without having to make
three or four
different appointments and running all over the place for paperwork.
With this program, you go to one place, you have all of your testing. Another
advantage of the program is after two weeks when all your results are in, you will
be provided with a full medical report of your results to bring back to your family
physician, if you elect to. The nice feature is that it doesn't require you to break
your allegiance with your family physician, you can have your testing done and
bring him the results. This program is not a one-time thing. We encourage you
to have your physical each and every year. What sets this program apart from
your normal visit to the doctor is that it's very comprehensive and it's very specific
to firefighters. As with Dom and many other firefighters who do try to take care
of themselves and go for their physicals, there are a lot of obstacles. For one
thing many doctors see 30 to 60 patients a day. You come in, you are there
three o'clock, John Smith, and they are not thinking firefighter. They are not
thinking of your occupation, they are not thinking of the toxins and the dangers
that you
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are exposed to. This program checks laboratory work, chest x-rays, EKGs,
echocardiogram, and thalium-cardio stress test when needed on firefighters. The
other testing is done as part of the examination. It is very thorough. They look for
toxins in the blood and things that would be important for you to detect as a
firefighter. They also look for two cardiac enzymes, which are indicative of heart
disease. So it is very thorough. Over 50 percent of the firefighters that have come
into our program, have been found to have some abnormalities that they were
unaware of previously. As you may know, we have had many firefighters who
were found to have hepatitis C. With more and more firefighters in New Jersey,
Philadelphia, and other states as well doing EMS calls, we are finding a great
deal of hepatitis C which, you know, can be fatal if left undetected. So the
program has served many very well. I'm not telling you that this program will
guarantee you won't have a heart attack or other problems. There is nothing that
can do that. The only test that's available that can give complete confidence in
that area would be cardiac catheterization, which is invasive and a risky
procedure. I'm not telling you it will give you 100 percent, but it will give you a
very, very good chance, and that's what this program is about, not giving
guarantees, but giving you a better chance to have more time with your family. If
it only gives you the that chance, you deserve that chance and your family
deserves for you to have that chance. I'd like to see firefighters' risks stay
limited
to their occupation and not the health risk that it has for heart attack fatalities.
The program right now is offered at three locations: One in Jersey City; one in
Newark, which is right at the airport; the other site is at Deborah Heart & Lung.
We hope to have more sites opening throughout the state in time. But as you
can imagine, it's very challenging to open a site that offers identical resources.
In the pamphlet that you have in front of you, on the back of it, you will see
Deborah Heart & Lung. There are phone numbers to call, if you would like an
appointment at Deborah versus an
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appointment at Newark Airport. My e-mail address is on the back of the brochure.
This program is for firefighters. It's from one firefighter family to another. It is not
political. If you take advantage of this program, I would appreciate any feedback
from you on how you felt about it, whether it's positive or negative, because this
is for you, and I count on your feedback to let me know how it's going. So far the
feedback has been excellent. There have been no firefighters who regretted going
through the program. Any firefighters who contacted me said, you know, I
couldn't get in touch with the office or the phone number is busy. I was able to
intervene and correct the problem right away. But it has saved many lives and I
hope that it will save many more. The program is open to firefighters and their
spouses because heart disease is the number one killer for females. Our family
would like to see other firefighter families stay together and that's what this
program is about. If you have any questions, please just send me an e-mail from
the pamphlet you have in front of you. I will be in the back of the room for a short
time. There will be pamphlets also in the back of the room for the remainder of
the day. Does anyone have any questions about the program? If you change
your mind about that, just send me an e-mail. Thank you very much for your
time. (Standing ovation.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you very much.
Frank Bocchino.
MR. BOCCHINO: Mr. Chairman, it seems a damn shame that a small crowd like
this are only allowed to listen to this program that this girl has for us. When I
was president of the State Firemen's Association, she was denied the privilege
of speaking to 7000 people at the Convention Center. She was denied again this
year to speak to the guys at the Convention Center. I think it's about time we as
the Exempt Firemen's Association, as little as we are here, should get the State
Firemen's Association to
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move their butts and let this lady speak at the convention so she gets some
more people. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you, very much.
Robert C. Mees; nomination of officers.
MR. MEES: Good morning. One of the reasons we are here is to elect our
officers for the next year. We will have nominations, but when anyone makes a
nomination, please state your name clearly and your association. First office I
will open up with is the President.
MR. ROEMMICH (GLENN): Mr. Chairman, Glenn Roemmich, delegate,
Paulsboro Exempt Association. It's with honor and pride I nominate my father
Archie Roemmich for President.
MR. MEES: Thank you. Do I hear a second?
MR. DOHERTY: Second the motion.
MR. MEES: William Doherty from Burlington. Any other nominations? Any other
nominations? Any other nominations? I need a motion to close nominations.
A VOICE: Motion to close the nominations.
MR. MEES: Second?
MR. WHEATLEY: Frank Wheatley, second.
/MR. MEES: All in favor say aye. (Chorus of ayes.)
MR. MEES: Opposed? So ordered. First Vice President.
MR. BOCCHINO: Frank Bocchino, Norwood, Bergen County. Seeing this man
work over the last few years to put this association back together, he diligently
put in the time he put in. It is a great honor to nominate Joe Pawlak as First
Vice President of this great association.
MR. MEES: Thank you, Frank. Second?
MR. FEDORKA: Second.
MR. MEES: Who was that?
MR. FEDORKA: Past president Fedorka, Middlesex County.
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MR. MEES: Thank you. Any other nominations? Any other nominations? Any
other nominations? Can I hear a motion to close nominations?
MR. FEDORKA: Move they be closed.
MR. MEES: Second? (Chorus of seconds.)
MR. MEES: All in favor say aye. (Chorus of ayes.)
MR. MEES: Opposed. (NONE) We come now to Second Vice President.
MR. WHEATLEY: Frank Wheatley, Executive Committeeman, Morris County. It's
my pleasure to nominate William V. Egbert to the office of Second Vice
President a post he currently holds and is doing a wonderful job. Bring him back
for another year.
MR. MEES: Thank you, Frank. Do we have a second?
MR. WILSON: Jay Wilson, Roxbury Township. I second that nomination.
MR. MEES: Any other nominations? Any other nominations? Any other
nominations? Motion to close.
(Chorus of motion to close.)
MR. MEES: Second?
(Chorus of seconds.)
MR. MEES: All in favor say aye. (Chorus of ayes.)
MR. MEES: Carried. The office of Secretary.
MR. DOHERTY: Mr. Chairman, William Doherty, Burlington County, Life Member,
past president. I nominate Tom Haborak for Secretary of this great association
for the wonderful job that he's done and the years he's held that position.
MR. MEES: Thank you. Second?
MR. FEDORKA: Second. Past president Fedorka.
MR. MEES: Any other nominations? Any other nominations? Any other
nominations? Motion to close.
(Chorus of motions.)
p17.
MR. MEES: Second?
(Chorus of seconds.)
MR. MEES: All in favor say aye.
(Chorus of ayes.)
MR. MEES: Carried. Come to Treasurer.
MR. ROEMMICH: Glenn Roemmich, Paulsboro Exempt Association. I would like
to place the name of Edward McMahon for Treasurer. He's been the reasurer of
our local Relief association for the past 15 years, he's done a wonderful job and
serving in the position now.
MR. MEES: Did I hear a second?
MR. DE FILIPPIS: Second. Ed De Filippis, Somerset County.
MR. MEES: Thank you. Any other nominations? Any other nominations? Any
other nominations? Motion to close.
(Chorus of motions to close the nomination.)
MR. MEES: Second?
(Chorus of seconds.)
MR. MEES: All in favor say aye.
(Chorus of ayes.)
MR. MEES: Statistician.
MR. BOCCHINO: Be my pleasure to nominate the gentlemen from the southern
part of the state, Mr. Hobie Wainwright for Statistician.
MR. DOHERTY: I'd like to second that.
MR. MEES: Any other nominations? Any other nominations? Any other
nominations? Motion to close.
(Chorus of motion to close.)
MR. MEES: Second?
(Chorus of seconds.)
MR. MEES: Carried. Well, being there is nobody running for any opposition, I'd
like to entertain a motion that the secretary cast one ballot for the entire slate.
MR. GLUCKLER: So moved. 23 Frank Gluckler, Bergen County.
MR. MEES: Second?
MR. FEDORKA: Second. John Fedorka, Middlesex County, past president.
MR. MEES: All in favor say aye.
p18.
(Chorus of ayes.)
MR. MEES: Opposed? I hereby declare they are duly elected. Thank you.
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Under appointments, I'm going to nominate Bill
Doherty under Special Operations Committee. What we are setting down is rules
and regulations for our officers so we know what we have to do when somebody
moves up. As I was coming through the chairs, I did not receive any information
or nothing about an office. It all had -- we worked together to bring something up.
From now on we are going to have a Rules and Regulations Committee so when
somebody steps in an office, they know what their job will be, along with the help
of the officers, your presiding officers. Bill Doherty, we are going to help you
elect your committee for you.
MR. DOHERTY: Thank you.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Moving on. Roll call of associations. Hobie
Wainwright? We will move on. Second Vice President Bill Egbert, reading of
future conventions.
2ND VICE PRESIDENT EGBERT: The established conventions that have been
approved are in the agenda published in the book. We received a letter from
Wanaque: As per our phone conversation the Wanaque Fire Department would
like to host the Exempt convention and parade in our town on Saturday, July 24,
2010. This will be our 100th anniversary of our fire department. Thank you and
hope to hear from you. So before you is the suggestion for the Wanaque Fire
Department Exempt Association to host our convention in 2010.
MR. BROADFIELD: Jerry Broadfield, Life Member, West Paterson. Make a
motion that Wanaque be accepted for the 2010 convention and parade.
2ND VICE PRESIDENT EGBERT: Do we have a second?
MR. VANDER BERG: Rich Vander Berg, Passaic County, past president.
p19.
I'll second that motion, please.
2ND VICE PRESIDENT EGBERT: Motion has been made and seconded. Any
discussion? If not, all in favor?
(Chorus of ayes.)
2ND VICE PRESIDENT EGBERT: So ordered.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you very much, Bill Egbert. Now, we are going
to go into reception of communications.
SECRETARY HABORAK: That was done yesterday.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: That was all given yesterday. If you need anything,
get a hold of the secretary and he will get you what you need. Moving on.
President's report for the convention, June 11, 2005. Since our last convention,
I attended the following functions while representing the association: On
Saturday, June l2, I was interviewed on the local cable television show where
they showed the swearing in of our association officers. On July 8, I attended
the officers meeting held in Iselin. On Sunday, August 15th, I attended the
Glasstown Antique Fire Brigade Annual Show and Muster, where I assisted in
the awarding of trophies during the closing ceremonies. On Thursday, August 19,
I met with Mr. Gary Gill, our certified public accountant, who audited the books
and applied for an extension for the filing date of our tax information. On
Saturday August 28 I attended the Memorial Dedication Ceremony in Gloucester
City for fallen firefighter Thomas Stewart. On Saturday, September 11 I attended
the 100th anniversary parade for the Borough of Paulsboro and the Billingsport
Volunteer Fire Association, which included a memorial service remembering the
fallen firefighters of September 11, 2001. On September 17 and 18th, I attended
New Jersey State Firemen's Convention in Wildwood. On Saturday October 2nd
I attended the New Jersey State Firemen's Ladies Auxiliary Convention in
Atlantic City. On Friday, October 29th, I attended the FDIC East sponsored by
Fire Engineering Magazine
p20.
and the summit of New Jersey Fire & Emergency Medical Services organization
leaders held in Atlantic City. On Tuesday, November 23rd I attended the viewing
of Jim Kilker and Jack Haborak. To replace Jim Kilker, I appointed Edward
McMahon as treasurer. I attended the Delaware Valley Fire Chiefs meeting held
in December, which was in Elmer, where I presented the Centerton Exempt
Association with their framed Exempt certificate. On Saturday, March 5, I was
in attendance at the special meeting held in Phillipsburg, where some tough
decisions were made to help the association. On Wednesday, March 23rd, I
attended the officers meeting held in Plainsboro. On Wednesday, March 30, I
attended the budget meeting held in Carlstadt. On Saturday, April 9, Vice
President Pawlak and I attended the State Presidents meeting held at the
Middlesex Fire Academy. During the past year, I have attended the following
meetings: The Gloucester County Fire Chiefs Association; Gloucester County
Firemen's Association; Gloucester County Fire Prevention Association;
Delaware Valley Fire Chiefs Association. I attended many county caucuses, fire
company dinners and banquets. I have had numerous meetings with
Assemblyman John Burzichelli and State Senator Steve Sweeney, trying to
reinstate some of the benefits that members of our association once were able
to take advantage of. During the year, I have posted 2,880 miles while
representing the association. Thank you, very much.
(Applause.)
Vice president, Joe Pawlak. Right now I'm officially closing registration.
1ST VICE PRESIDENT PAWLAK: Good morning. Since being elected to the
office of First Vice President at convention in Rockaway, Wharton, June 5th, I
have attended the following functions and performed the following duties as a
representative of this organization:
p21.
I attended 40 meetings, two caucuses, three viewings and fireman's services,
seven fundraisers and seven other events for a total of 2,471 miles traveled.
Details of the dates and places have been reported in previous meeting minutes.
I'll not got through that again. The cost of conducting the Association's business
was reduced even more this year by the use of e-mail in place of snail mail or
phone calls when possible. In addition, a reduction of printing costs for the
meeting minutes and other items is being pursued through the use of alternate
copying facilities Working through the Association's webmaster, I was able to
coordinate the reprogramming and face lift of the web site to a more user-friendly
format. A significant amount of updates to the information contained on the site
have been accomplished. More updates are scheduled after the convention in
order to incorporate any changes that take place. Additional reprogramming and
a continuation of the face lift will also be pursued after the convention. By conduc-
ting officers' meetings, as well as combination officers' and finance committee
meetings between regular Executive Committee meetings, we were able to
dentify, discuss, formulate plans of action for and resolve a number of issues in
a more timely fashion. One of the direct results of these meetings was the on
time introduction of the budget at the Executive Committee meeting in April in
Stafford. A thank you goes out to all who participated in the preparation of this
document. My goal of increasing communications within the organization has
met with some success. It seems to be picking up speed as time goes by.
There has been a positive response from both inside and outside of our
organization to the web site. I would like to thank my fellow officers for their
help
and support. Most of all, I would like to thank the membership in general.
However, the fact remains that communications needs to improve a great deal
more in order for this great organization to function most efficiently and effectively.
The structure of the state association by design includes the executive
committeeman as part of the governing process and the communication process.
Communication has to occur
p22.
at all times, not just at the five regular meetings and one convention held each
year. Communication starts at the top with the President and the two Vice
Presidents and moves down through the organization by way of the Executive
Committeeman to the local association secretaries, officers and members. It
should also function upward from the local associations through the executive
committeemen to the President and the two Vice Presidents. Please take the
time to get to know who the Exempt executive committeeman is from your
county. Also please become familiar with the journal (white book) that was
passed out at registration today. It contains a great deal of information.
Also
check out the website www.njsefa.org for updated information. I would like to
comment briefly on the State Exempt Firemen's Annual Memorial Service. There
are 70,000 plus firefighters in the State of New Jersey. One hundred fifteen
individuals (not all firefighters) attended the service in Stafford. The committee
works hard to plan a fitting memorial service for our departed brothers and sisters.
It costs nothing but time to participate on your behalf. Why not plan on attending
next year? Enjoy the remainder of the convention and have a safe trip home.
Thank you.
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Second Vice President, Bill Egbert.
2ND VICE PRESIDENT EGBERT: Since our last convention, I have worked on
the following activities on behalf of the association: Attended all regular and
special meetings of the Executive Committee; attended all meetings of the
association officers; worked with local associations in search of meeting sites for
the Executive Committee; attended numerous local association meetings;
unfortunately attended numerous viewings and funerals for deceased firemen;
attended the annual memorial service in Stafford Township on April 16, 2005;
attended numerous committee meetings of the association; represented the
association at several firematic functions around the state; solicited ads for our
convention journal and sold many tickets for today's raffle; provided guidance to
the local association officers and members; acted as interim internal auditor;
worked on a computer based
p23.
registration system for the association; attended many social events, inspections
parades, etc.; traveled in excess of 1,700 miles on association business. Thank
you. (Applause.)
SECRETARY HABORAK: To the Officers, Delegates, Life Members assembled
at the 119th Annual Convention of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's
Association in accordance with the by-laws I submit for your consideration my
report as state secretary for the period of June 5, 2004 until June 11, 2005: The
New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association Officers and Executive
Committee are committed to caring for the local associations and their brother
members. In the past year, I have certified brother members as Life Members to
this great association. I have attended many local, county and state meetings,
memorial services, dinners, parades, and brother member wake services. In
closing, I would like to thank the Officers, Past Officers, and all my brother
members for their support in the past year. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Our new treasurer, Edward McMahon.
TREASURER EDWARD J. MC MAHON, JR.: Before I give 15 my report, if there
is any Executive Committeemen who are here and have not received their
stipend, please see me before you leave. A condensed treasurer's report as of
June 11. Our balance in our checking account at Wachovia Bank was
$33,741.36. Our savings account balance at Wachovia Bank was $13,876.83.
Our balance in our raffle account, which is also located at Wachovia Bank, is
$4,312.81. We have a CD at Investors Savings Bank totaling $15,431.31.
We also purchased a CD at Wachovia Savings Bank for $15,000. Giving us total
assets of $82,362.31. Thank you very much and thank you everyone for your
support in taking over this office. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you, Ed.
p24.
MR. BOCCHINO: Mr. Chairman, make a motion that the report be printed in the
minutes of this meeting.
MR. DOHERTY: Second the motion. Bill Doherty, Burlington County.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: The motion was made by Frank Bocchino and
seconded by Bill Doherty. Are there any questions? If not, do I hear it be
approved? (Chorus of ayes.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Any opposed?
Motion carried. Counsel, Thomas Orr. I would like to have Hobie Wainwright, if
somebody could go get him for me, please?
COUNSEL ORR: My pleasure to submit my annual report to the New Jersey
State Exempt Firemen's Association. I have attended meetings, prepared
resolutions. Most importantly we have prepared changes to the statutes to
overturn the Supreme Court rulings of a few years ago.They have been presented
to a state legislator and actually just yesterday we received a draft of that. The
association and its members should push for adoption. Thank you.
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you. I skipped No. 12, if you are following.
Reading of the minutes of the 2004 Convention. The minutes are printed in this
year's journal. What is your pleasure?
MR. GLUCKLER: Move they be accepted as printed.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Do I hear a second?
MR. DE FILIPPIS: Second. Ed De Filippis, Somerset County.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Mr. Ed De Filippis seconds it. Any other questions?
All in favor of the motion signify by saying aye. (Chorus of ayes.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Opposed? Motion carried.
p25.
Moving on. Reccordkeeper, Mr. Ed De Filippis.
MR. DE FILIPPIS: At present, we have 343 incorporated associations, plus ten
independent associations that pay dues only and incorporate on their own. We
have three county associations, Bergen County/Passaic County, Middlesex and
Monmouth County respectively. Two associations which are paid by others, the
New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association, Incorporated, and the Bergen
County Home, for a total of 358 associations, to which I maintain records. All
have paid their incorporation renewals and dues except South Orange, Essex
County, $45; and Oceanport, Monmouth County $15 dues only. I have transferred
funds to our state treasurer in the amounts of $3000 on April 4, 2005; $2000 on
May 10, 2005; $2000 on June 3, 2005, for a total of $7000. At present I have
$2561.07 in the checking account. Respectfully submitted. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you. Mr. Carl Christensen.
MR. CHRISTENSEN: Carl Christensen, Life Member, Iselin/Colonia. I'd like to
make a motion that the report of the record keeper be accepted and spread upon
the minutes as to its financial knowledge.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Do I hear a second?
MR. FEDORKA: Second.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Mr. Fedorka. Thank you very much. Are there any
questions on the recordkeeper's book? All in favor signify by saying aye.
Chorus of ayes.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Opposed? Motion carried. Constitution and by-laws;
Kenneth C. Anderson.
MR. ANDERSON: C. Kenneth Anderson, Life Member from Delran Township,
past president of this association. Report of the Constitution and By-laws
Committee. Dear members: As a result of a special
p26.
meeting of the Executive Committee held on March 5th. One of the decisions at
that meeting was that the dues of the Association should be increased. The
Committee assisted in drafting the wording for the proposal. It was submitted in
a proper manner and will be considered for adoption by the Convention. No other
proposals for amendments to the Constitution and By-laws have been submitted
by the local member Exempt Firemen's associations, delegates or life members.
Nor has the Committee been directed to draft any amendments by the Executive
Committee. No other matters have been referred to the Committee. Copies of
the Constitution and By-laws are available from the Secretary by written request.
Fraternally submitted, chairman. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: There will be a resolution brought up a little bit later.
Convention Committee; Richard Vander Berg.
MR. VANDER BERG: Convention Housing and Banquet Committee report for
2005. This committee is charged with the responsibility of arranging lodging for
members of the association, Executive Committee and all association committee
members. Lodging was secured at the Radisson Hotel, 21 Kingsbridge Road in
Piscataway, New Jersey. And 59 room nights were booked. The breakdown by
evening is: Two rooms on Thursday, June 9, 2005; 53 rooms on Friday, June 18,
2005; and four rooms on Saturday, June 11, 2005. The following amounts were
turned over to Ed McMahon, the State Treasurer: March 30, 2005, $860; April 16,
2005, $825; April 16, 2005, $640; April 26, 2005, $495; May 3, 2005, $410;
May 7, 2005, $560; May 10, 2005, $550; May 21, 2005, $300; June 10, 2005,
$260. Total $4,900. All members and guests are now charged fifty percent of the
hotel fees for Friday night and one hundred percent for Thursday and Saturday
night rooms, in an effort to overcome the sliding cash reserves in the financial
accounts of this Association. Banquet tickets were reused from the prior year.
Expenses were $74 for envelopes,
p27.
stamps and copies to correspond to the mailings to the association membership.
Total expenses were $74. Checks paid to the Radisson Hotel by the State
Treasurer Ed McMahon were $2581.20 ($2,081.00 and $500.00) for the meetings
and the banquet meals; and $4,001.40 ($3,501.40 and $500.00) for the hotel
rooms. That's my report. Respectfully submitted, Rich Vander Berg and Frank
Wheatley, Co-chairman of the Convention Committee. Thank you. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services
Institute, Kenneth C. Anderson.
MR. FEDORKA: Mr. Chairman, prior to his report, I'd like to make a motion that
the report of the Convention Committee be accepted as read, since it contains
finances.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Do I hear a second.
MR. DE FILIPPIS: Second. Ed De Filippis, Somerset County.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Any questions? All in favor of this motion signify by
saying aye. (Chorus of ayes.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Opposed? Motion carried.
MR. ANDERSON: To the Officers Delegates and Life Members assembled at the
119th Annual Convention of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association
in Middlesex, New Jersey. Subject: Report of Representatives to the New Jersey
Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute. Dear Members: Since our last
Convention, the Board of Directors of the Institute met six times. The State
Exempts were represented at all meetings. The officers reelected at the January
meeting are: Paul Roman, president; Al Musicant, vice president; Roger Potts,
secretary; and Charles Moots, treasurer. Ken Anderson is a representative from
the State Exempts and continues as a director. Steve La France and Bill Oser
are the other representatives from this Association. State and federal legislation
and regulations are discussed at the meetings. In some cases, the member
organizations are asked to send
p28.
letters or provide testimony on the matters. In a few cases, the Institute itself
provides testimony. Most of the legislation is also tracked by our legislative
committee, and I will not duplicate it's report here. The major project of the
Institute has been the preparation of a report to recommend the establishment of
a state emergency management office either as a stand-alone department or as
an agency in the office of the governor. It would be an independent agency, like
the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, not part of the state police
or any other agency. In many respects, it would follow the federal model. The
report was completed and its initial distribution was at the New Jersey Summit
held in Atlantic City during the FDIC East. Representatives met with Assembly-
man Fred Scalara. Scalara agreed to sponsor legislation to create a study
commission to consider the organization of the Office of Emergency Manage-
ment. A bill is being drafted for his consideration. Several representatives
of the
Institute were invited to attend a breakfast with Senator Corzine in Washington
the day of The National Fire and Emergency Services dinner. A copy of the report
was presented to him. The certificate of incorporation of the Institute is being
revised to reflect the new name and to resize the board of directors to the four
elected officers and three directors with staggered three-year terms.This will allow
the representatives more time to fulfill the mission of the Institute rather than
conducting the corporate business. Jack Murphy was engaged as the part-time
Executive Director of the Institute. He has worked on a website. Brochures for a
membership campaign are being prepared. He will move forward with our business development
project. Jack will be the day-to-day voice, face, and contact of the
Institute. His goal is to raise money. MBI Gluck-Shaw has been engaged to
assist with tracking legislation and providing advice, particularly on the Study
Commission. The State Exempts is entitled to three representatives to the
Institute. Any member who
p29.
has an interest in serving should contact his Executive Committeeman or the
President. Fraternally submitted, C. Kenneth Anderson, representative
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you, Ken. Convention ad book, Leonard J.
Minkler.
MR. MINKLER: My brother firefighters, I wish you a good morning. This year's
book is not as successful as in years past. Yes, some people have put forth an
effort, but it takes more than a few people to make it a real success. May I
remind you this state association has only two main means of supporting itself,
and that is the raffle and the ad book. If these two means aren't successful, then
it will only be a matter of time before -- who knows what the future will hold for us.
We ask of you to help us to keep the State Exempt Association alive and not let
it fade away. Your help is truly needed. In closing, I hope you will have an
enjoyable day and I wish you a safe trip home. Thanks (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Now, it's Mr. Bill Egbert on the Annual Audit Report
and Finance Committee combined.
2ND VICE PRESIDENT EGBERT: The Internal Auditor position has been vacant
since our last convention. Several candidates have been interviewed but none
have accepted the responsibility of the position. President Roemmich has asked
me to assist the Association with the Internal Auditor's function until a permanent
appointment can be made. With the death of Treasurer Jim Kilker, the
association conducted a review of all accounts and records maintained by the
Treasurer in January and found them to be complete and current. The accounts
have several signators that allowed for the day-to-day business to be conducted
with a minimum of interruptions. Ed McMahon, Jr. was appointed Treasurer and
a smooth transition of all paperwork and accounts was accomplished. We
provided the officers with a complete spreadsheet of Association incomes and
p30.
expenses for calendar year 2004. In addition, this information was made available
to the accountant for preparation of our Internal Revenue Service filings. We
provided the budget committee with an itemized breakdown of income and
expense items by category in order that the committee has current information.
The Treasurer sends us copies of approved vouchers and deposits in order that
we enter them into the database. This process allows us to track the financial
aspects of the Association and provide current information to the officers and
committees as needed. With regard to the Finance Committee; since our last
convention, we have had numerous meetings dealing with finance and collectively
I would have to say we have made - we have had many discussions, we have had
many heated discussions, and we have had many kind words expressed. The
end result is we have deliberated, we have examined the plans, and we have
come up with programs. And those programs, fortunately, have been, almost in
total, have been approved and validated by our Executive Committee. So that
process will continue. You've heard mention of the possible financial distress of
our organization. I tend to be a little more optimistic that we have turned the
corner and are making progress. With your help and assistance, we will continue
to make progress and become a more viable organization in the financial aspect.
As a result of today's resolution, your Finance Committee and your officers and
Executive Committeemen urge your positive support of the resolution increasing
the dues. Thank you. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you, very much, Bill. Grave Marker Committee;
Mr. Dan Ford.
MR. FORD: Don't have a formal report. I assumed this committee in January.
Since January, we have shipped out a number of orders. We have reordered.
We now have 100 new ones. New grave markers have just come in. I have 50 of
them. Mr. Clar has 50 of them. Please contact one of us if you need any of
them. Thank you.
p31.
(Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you, Dan. Law and Legislative, Carl S.
Christensen.
MR. CHRISTENSEN: Good morning. To the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's
Association assembled in Convention. At present time the Legislature is involved
in the budget process. Senate bill 405 increases the maximum death benefit of
group life insurance policies paid for by fire districts or municipalities maintaining
volunteer fire departments to the amount of $25,000. It is in the Community and
Urban Affairs Committee. It passed in the Senate 40 to nothing. It's now in
the
Assembly with no action since it's been taken over there. Senate bill 1815 has
been introduced in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee on 9/7/2004
and has had a second reading. It went through all the committee hearings with
the companion bill of 3319. These are the revisions to the laws governing the
New Jersey State Firemen's Association. The Senate held second reading on
March 11th. It was on board for possible action on the 14th of February. It was
taken and signed into law by the governor March 7, 2005, Chapter Law Number
39. A729 prohibits fireworks in buildings holding over 500 persons. Has passed
both houses, despite the objections raised by our association to prohibit
pyrotechnics in any structure. A880 establishes certain hiring preference to
children of firefighters and law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
Passed the assembly 78 to nothing and sent to the Senate. It's out of committee
with a second reading. A2247 requires that all state firefighters training to be
accredited. Passed the Assembly 72 to three to two and received in the Senate
on 10/14 with no action since. Assembly bill 2957 requires public school districts
to provide paid time off when certain volunteer emergency aid workers are called
to alarm during working hours. Passed the Assembly 75 to three and received in
the Senate 11/8/2004 with no action since. Assembly bill 3535 provides for
automatic exemption from jury duty for members of a
p32.
paid or volunteer fire department or fire patrol, paid or volunteer, first aid or rescue
squad or a state, county or municipal police officer. It was introduced on
11/22/2004 with no action to this date. Assembly 193, which I had reported on
before. This concerns workers compensation for firefighters with cancer. It
has
been reported out of the Pensions Committee on 6/11/2004 with a recommenda-
tion of not to enact. On 2/4/2005 it was released from this committee with amend-
ments and referred to the Appropriations Committee. Assembly 1445 raises to
$150,000 in gross contributions the threshold requiring charitable organizations
to file audited financial statements under the Charitable Registration and
Investigation Act. It's stuck in Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee. Assembly
2355 requires impact statement for any proposed regulation affecting volunteer
ambulance and fire company. Referred to the Assembly Oversight Committee
on 1/13/2005, it has been referred over to the Assembly Law and Public Safety
Committee. Assembly 2998 permits certain lights on emergency service
volunteer vehicles. Passed Assembly 3/1/05, 77 to nothing on a substitution
sent to the Senate and has had a second reading. A 3288 makes temporary
domestic security local cap exception permanent; exempts pre-July 7, 2004
contract obligations from current, lower cap, identical bill number S2078. Out of
the Assembly Appropriations Committee sitting in the Senate Committee.
A 3807 creates statewide First Responder building mapping information system;
appropriates five million to the Department of Treasury. Introduced 2/14/05 in
he Law and Public Safety Committee. S-1303 permits municipalities to offer
prescription drug benefit to certain retired volunteer firefighters and other
emergency aid volunteers. Identical bill number A-2749. Passed the Senate
Community and Public Affairs Committee with a second reading and referred to
the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee with a second reading. Sitting
in the Assembly Housing and Local Government committee. S-2316 prescribes
the procedures and protocols for investigating fires involving
p33.
firefighter fatalities and injuries. Identical bill number A-3523. Introduced 2/7/05
and referred to the Law and Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee.
Passed Assembly 74 to nothing. S-2370 includes local emergency management
Volunteer in Emergency Services Volunteer LOSAP. Introduced 3/1/05 and
sitting in the Law and Public Safety and Veterans Affairs Committee. It has had
a second reading in the Assembly Homeland and Security and Preparedness
Committee with a second reading. Several pieces of legislation have been signed
into law pertaining to firefighters. Chapter 39, S1815. Updating the laws
pertain-
ing to the State Firemen's Association. Chapter 71, A1816 requires that one and
two-family dwellings be equipped with a fire extinguisher at the time of sale.
Chapter 34 added Emergency Management to the Blue Light Law. General
information for all. Chapter 86 increases the fine by $50 for failure to yield at
crosswalks. Respectfully submitted, Carl S. Christensen (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you, Carl. The Memorial Committee has given
his report as First Vice President. We are moving on to Ed De Filippis, new
associations. Is Franklin Township in the audience?
MR. DE FILIPPIS: Since August of last year, I have incorporated three
associations: Wantage Township of Sussex County; the Monmouth County
Exempts; and Franklin 501 of Somerset County. We wish to welcome them
aboard and, Mr. Roemmich, I believe you have a presentation.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Is Franklin Township here? Anyone from Franklin
Township? If not, we will move onto the next one. Wanaque. Anyone from
Wanaque? Come forward, please.
A VOICE: Mr. President, is it a representative of Somerset County that you are
asking for?
MR. DE FILIPPIS: Franklin 501.
MR. MURPHY: I'm the Executive Committeeman from Somerset County, I can
give it to them.
p34.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Come on forward then. Exempt Firemen's Association.
This is to certify that the association of the Exempt firemen of Franklin Township
is a member of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association and is duly
incorporated as required by the laws of this State of New Jersey, approved
February 25, 1885, and the members hereof are entitled to and receive all rights
and privileges to whatever kind for Exempt firemen by law of this state now and
therefore be existing under the hands and seal is the 11th day of June in the year
of 2005. Signed by Archie D. Roemmich, President and Thomas J. Haborak,
Senior, Secretary. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Go ahead in the back.
A VOICE: Mr. Chairman, you mentioned Wantage Township. Are you talking
about Wanaque or are you talking Wantage in Sussex County?
MR. DE FILIPPIS: Yes, it's Wantage Township, but there's a misspelling on the
certificate so we are going to take care of that.
A VOICE: How about presenting it in August when you meet in our fire house in
Lafayette?
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: That is very good, we will do it then. Thank you very
much. I just saw John Fedorka right behind me. And while he is here, he's
going to expound on the web site also.
MR. FEDORKA: First announcement I'd like to make is I was in touch with Mr.
Wainwright, he is still tallying the credentials, so he will be in in a few minutes.
If you look in the convention minutes from last year's convention, I had mentioned
that there would be a newsletter possibly coming out because of the legislation
changes. Well, we only got that legislation change yesterday. So, obviously, we
haven't had a newsletter out since then. But this is the report of the Newsletter
Committee for the 119th Annual Convention of the New Jersey State Exempt
Firemen's Association. Newsletters have not been sent out during the past few
years due to not much happening and financial difficulties. An extensive amount
of time has been spent on updating our web page and
p35.
hope to be able to incorporate a news page in the near future, which will contain
all the important information and what is going on. Please refer to the website
and get one of your members to check the web site regularly prior to your local
meeting. Respectfully submitted. Also the report from the Web Page Committee
to the 119th Annual Convention of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's
Association. The web page is being updated as quickly as possible, and as of
this date, is up and running. Occasionally updates are slow to be made due to
the flow of information but we are trying to do our best. The officers page has
been updated and our index page has been recovered and restored. I personally
would like to thank Vice President Pawlak for taking his own time attending the
web page classes and spending countless hours updating the information. There
are a few other things we would like to do to our web site and we hope to be able
to post more information in the not too distant future. If anyone wishes to assist
in maintaining the web site or you notice corrections that need to be made,
please contact myself as the master via the links on the web site, or via the links
to any of the officers which are also now on the web site. Respectfully submitted,
Johnleo Fedorka, past state president.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you, John. Is Mary Kendzierski here?
MRS. KENDZIERSKI: Here.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: She will be giving her report from the back mike.
While she's coming forward, can you come forward, too, Dan Ford?
MRS. KENDZIERSKI: Publicity noticed over 60 newspapers or newspaper groups
about our annual memorial service last month in May and again about our
convention activities this weekend. I received good feedback from both releases.
Thank you Al Bailey for sending me the great article and the photo spread about
our memorial service. Joe has made up some nice photo boards here in the front
about those. Thank you Joe Pawlak for the follow-up
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article to our convention notice. Please continue to note whenever the
New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association is mentioned in your local
paper. Thank you.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you very much, Mary. Now, Dan Ford, the
Raffle Committee.
MR. FORD: Officers, Delegates, Life Members and guests. We are having a
50/50 this year. Receipts to date as of about an hour ago is over $6,430. The
drawing will be this afternoon at 4:30 over in Mountview Park, that will be after the
parade. Please buy more tickets, stop by the table out here. That's my report.
Thank you. ( Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Hobie Wainwright.
STATISTICIAN WAINWRIGHT: Someone left their glasses at the registration
table. They will be up here. As a matter of fact, it was on the Bergen County
table. I thought it was either Ed Frey or Freddy Molene, but I don't know. It's
good to be here. Good to see you here, and I'm going to try to make it as quick
as possible. To the Executive Officers, Executive Committee, Delegates, Life
Members and guests. The annual report of the statistician for 2005. Dear
fellow
firefighters, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to serve as statistician of
this great organization. The Association Officers and Executive Committee
quarterly meetings were held on August 2lst, 2004 in Phillipsburg, Warren
County; October 16, Hillsdale, Bergen County; January 15th, 2005, at Boonton,
Morris County; April 16th, Stafford Township, Ocean County; along with a special
Executive Committee meeting held on March 3 in Phillipsburg, Warren County.
The annual pre-convention meeting June l0th in the Radisson Hotel, Piscataway,
Middlesex County; and the Annual Convention held in the Middlesex High School
hosted by the Middlesex Borough Exempt Firemen's Association on June 11,
Middlesex County. The 23rd annual memorial service hosted
p37.
by the Stafford Township Exempt Firemen's Association at the Manahawkin
United Methodist Church on the 16th of April with 105 widows, firefighters and
families attending. The Memorial Committee gave out memorial flags and red
carnations to the families of the deceased firefighters attending. The association
chaplains, officers, local Exempt Association assisted the host pastor in the
service. It is with sadness that I report the following members that have passed
away since our last convention: Our association treasurer, James Kilker, Iselin,
Woodbridge Township, Middlesex County; Dennis Percaw, from Secaucus,
Hudson County, a member of the Registration Committee. Died in the line of
duty: Jim D'Heron, deputy chief, New Brunswick Fire Department, Middlesex
County on August 3, 2004. Angelo Petta, chief engineer, Garfield, Bergen County
William Pierce, Ogdensburg, Sussex County. And James M. Ratcliffe, Metuchen
former chief, Middlesex County. The attendance at the 2004 Convention has
decreased from 483 to 471, with 122 local associations, down from 132. In the --
I just want to digress a second. In the line of duty, I get the information out of the
First Responder or as people tell me. If you know someone's name should be in
there, let me know that so I can put it in the report for next year. The 2004 raffle
had income to the Association of $3,295.78, with Robert L. Ritz, Old Bridge, first
prize; Thomas J. Kolarick of Fords, second prize; and Earl Runkel, Avenel, third
prize. The annual 2004 Convention journal increased income by $1,368 over
2003. The association hired an outside auditor, Gary W. Gill & Associates of
Clarksburg, Gloucester County. They completed the 2003 990 EZ Internal
Revenue form and filed with the I.R.S., along with other financial reports. The
Association Officers and Financial Committees met on July the 8th, 2004 in
Iselin, Middlesex County; November 11th at Iselin; January 26th, Plainsboro,
Middlesex County; February 9 and March 2nd in Plainsboro, Middlesex County.
On March 30 in Carlstadt, Bergen County, with the Budget Committee to prepare
the 2006 budget for introduction at the quarterly meeting in Stafford
p38.
on April 16, to be approved at the Annual Convention. On May ll in Woodbridge,
Middlesex County, the officers, Finance Committee, past officers had met to
discuss the finances of the Association. The call for a special Executive
Committee on March the 5th in Phillipsburg was the result of special discussions
of meetings in the past to resolve many of our financial problems. The following
in lodging: This was a motion and seconded and approved that starting 2005,
every member who is entitled to a free comp room will pay 50 percent or doubling
up free. Local association annual dues increased from $15 to $25 starting 2006.
The annual journal advertisements for fire and commercial ads will be for 2006,
full page $200; half page, $125; quarter page, $75; eighth of a page, $50.
Commission expense, no commission on fire ads. Thirty-two percent on
commercial ads or expenses not to exceed 32 percent. Attendance at the
Executive Committee meetings, must attend three out of five meetings and
solicit with reporting a total of one page of commercial advertising for the Annual
Convention journal. New association, Franklin Township 501, Somerset County.
I have traveled 1,461 miles on behalf of the Association. $35.05 in tolls; $39.24
for telephone calls; $37 postage; $80 annual 16 Association banquet; $43.03 as
an officer and chairman of Registration Committee for meals. Some of the
postage and meals are in relationship to my responsibility as chairman of the
Registration Committee. I have spent 42 days visiting 19 businesses in
Burlington, parts of Camden, Mercer Counties with mailings to last year's
advertisers, 20 advertisers in fire magazines. I will mail a thank you letter with
the official receipt in late June 21 to all over the area of advertisements of $3,605
of solicited ads, with expenses of 1,578 miles, postage $74, telephone $63/09.
I would like to encourage each one of you to be become a commercial
advertisements solicitor and be paid a commission or an expense. I would like
to digress. I have done an ad at our last quarterly meeting and everybody in thisz
room can become a
solicitor. We are looking to reach out in the farther down
south,
p39.
farther west areas, that are convention journal and the finances of our State
Association are based upon the journal income, the raffle income, and we get
very little money from flags and markers. So in order to hold the Convention
such as this, and things such as that, we need the additional income and we
are asking you to -- I will rephrase it, I am begging you, if you want this
Association to remain as a state organization, we need your help. Thank you.
(Applause.)
Now, to the other report, report of the Registration Committee. Atlantic County:
Delegates, zero; Life Members, zero; quorum, zero. Bergen County: Delegates,
22; Life Members, 24; quorum, 15. Burlington County: Delegates, 7; Life
Members, 10; three associations. Camden County: Delegates, 2; Life Members,
2; two associations. Cape May: Delegates, zero; Life Members 2; one
association. Cumberland County: Delegates, 5; Life Members, 10; one
association.
Essex County: Delegates, 19; Life Members, 4; quorum, 7.
Gloucester County: Delegates, 1; Life Members 2; one association. Hudson
County: Delegates, 25; Life Members, 16; quorum, 7. Hunterdon County:
Delegates, 3; Life Members, 1; two associations for quorum. Mercer County:
Delegates, 7; Life Members, 7; quorum, 2. Middlesex County: Delegates, 43;
Life Members, 36; 20 local for quorum. Monmouth County: Delegates, 23;
Life Members, 19; quorum, 11. Morris County: Delegates, 20; Life Members,
12; ten for quorum. Ocean County: Delegates, 1; Life Members, 6; three for
quorum. Passaic County: Delegates, 3; Life Members, 4; quorum, 5. Salem
County: Five Delegates; three Life Members; two for quorum. Somerset County:
Delegates, 13; Life Members, 8; quorum, 5.
p40.
Sussex County: Eight Delegates; one Life Member; four for quorum. Union
County: 13 Delegates; ten life members; seven for quorum. Warren County:
Delegates, one; Life Members, 3; quorum, 2. Total Delegates, 221. Life
Members, 175. For a grand total of 396. Associations 110. That's an unaudited
report. I will audit and check to make sure these numbers are correct. And the
corrected audited numbers will be given at the next quarterly meeting, which is
the reorganization quarterly meeting. Thank you very much. Thank you for
coming. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Thank you very much, Hobie. As always at eleven
o'clock we start our memorial service wherever we are. And it is that time right
now. I want the bag pipers to start down the aisle, please. As he starts in
the
auditorium, as he comes by, please stand up. (Memorial service.)
(Bag pipers and Our Father sung by Frank Bozzomo.) (Applause.)
CHAPLAIN WEISS: Please be seated. Those whom we honor today are listed
in the convention journal beginning page A-21. They all served their tour of duty
and have been called home to our heavenly Father. Out of the 207 people, there
is one that is very close to those that sit before you this afternoon, he's James z
Kilker, our past
treasurer. A kind, well loved gentleman. He will be sorely missed
by all. Shall we pray. Heavenly Father, our God, as we begin our memorialz
service today, our
attention is drawn to you who was, is and ever shall be. You
are the author and the finisher in all that we do or say. All praise and glory be to
your most Holy name. With sadness and pride we remember our brother and
sister firefighters. They have answered their last alarm and now they have
answered your call to be at home with you. We also
p41.
remember our firefighters who have answered the call of our country and now are
safe with you. Amen.
It is very fitting
that we set aside this portion of our annual convention to pay
tribute to our fallen firefighters. They have given a portion of their lifetime while
they were with us serving unselfishly, asking nothing in return. We all at times
have encountered freezing and hot temperatures, the smell of smoke filling our
nostrils, and wet burnt debris. At that point of exhaustion and frustration asking
ourselves many times, could we have done better? Could we have done more?
Maybe we have arrived at that thought, why am I doing this seemingly thankless
job? As I have pondered over this past paragraph, my mind was drawn to the
"Good Book." In it I read from the third chapter of Ecclesiastes the ninth
verse to
the fourteenth verse, which reads "What profit hath he that worketh in that
wherein he laboreth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of
men to be exercised in it. He hath made everything beautiful in his time, also he
hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God
maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but
for a man to rejoice, and to do good in this life. And that every man should eat
and drink, and enjoy all the good of his labor, it certainly is the gift of God. I
know that whatever God doeth, it shall be forever. Nothing can be put to it, nor
anything that can be taken from it. And God doeth, that men should fear before
him." I am persuaded today that God has given to every man a vocation to work.
Our creator has surrounded us with beauty within and without. You and I have
been drawn to the fire service by our Father and God to be of service to one
another and to those who look to us in emergencies. It is hard to question what
we do as we will not really know from when we join the fire service until our time
on earth has ended. We should all be satisfied being firefighters, enjoy what we
do, for certainly this is a gift from God. The uniform, badge and "turn-out
gear"
that have been worn by those whom we honor today and who have answered the
alarm of their creator,
p42.
and that we wear today, sets us aside from the surrounding public. What we
wear is a sign of commitment and service to all who look upon us. The Maltese
cross is a badge of faith, dedication and commitment. They are themselves an
outward appearance that a firefighter has dedicated his or her life in service to
their community. It is right that if we want our community to recognize us for
who we are, it is fitting that we today must know and respect the memories of
those that have gone before us. We must also remember those who are serving
in the armed forces of our country, especially for those who have exchanged
their fire uniform for the branch of service that they are now serving. May they
return home soon and may peace return to this world. As we honor those who
are left in our memory, let us not be saddened by our loss, but rather remember
the good they have done while they were among us. We know that they wore the
badge of a firefighter proudly. This is the badge of courage, commitment and
faith. Let's end this service by the familiar Fireman's Prayer. You may join with
me, if you wish. When I'm called to duty, God, whatever the flames and rage,
give me strength to save some life whatever be its age. Help me embrace a little
child before it's too late, or save an old person from the horror of that fate. Enable
me to be alert and hear the weakest shout and quickly and swiftly put that fire
out. I want to fill my calling and to give the best in me to guard my every neigh-
bor and protect his property. And according to my faith, if I have to lose my life,
please, Father, bless with your protecting hands my children and my spouse.
Amen and amen.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH:
At this time, we 21 are going to deviate from what is
in your book. We are going to have installation of officers at this time because
the mayor has another commitment. Mayor and Assemblyman John Burzichelli.
(Applause.)
ASSEMBLYMAN
BURZICHELLI: Good morning, everyone, almost good
afternoon. I'm very, very honored to have made the trip to be with you today to
deliver the oath of office to those being installed today, President
p43.
Archie Roemmich, who
is a resident of my municipality, where I'm the mayor at,
mayor of Paulsboro; also the Treasurer, Ed McMahon, who is a former resident
of our town and is an Exempt member of Paulsboro Volunteer Firemen's
Association. So our community enjoys the president and controls the money.
As a good democrat, that makes me reassured. I want to say to all of you
before I deliver the oath of office, how grateful I am for those of you who have
served, to have earned Exempt status, and continue to serve. You've heard
various reports of committees about this organization getting on its feet, new
direction, getting a few things in order. This organization I think is as relevant
today as the day it was founded. I noticed over time a little bit of this and a
little
bit of that has been chipped away. You heard reports of legislation pending,
trying to get some things back. We are going to get some of those things done.
Can't promise it all. Would never say that to you. But we have to hear clearly
from you what's important and what priorities mean the most first. The State
faces great challenges but without you and those coming behind you in the
ranks, we really, really would be in a great deal of difficulty. We can always fix
the money, my friends, but those who provide these volunteer services, those
who choose a career in firefighting are very important to all of us. So, before I
deliver the oath of office, I want to say to all of you on behalf of acting Governor
Codey, thank you, on behalf of myself, my brother and sister mayors cross the
state, on behalf of the members of the Assembly and the Senate, thank you, be
safe, and enjoy this day. The town of Middlesex Borough looks like they are
going to have a wonderful red carpet of hospitality, great parade, wonderful end
-of-the-day ceremonies. And let me tell you, firemen deserve every bit of that as
often as we can extend it to you. And if someone would give me the oath of
office, I would be happy to read it. If everyone would be kind enough to raise
your right hand and repeat as I read.
p44.
I, state your name, swear that I will support the Constitution and By-laws at all
times, bear true faith and allegiance to the goals and purposes of the New Jersey
State Exempt Firemen's Association. I further swear to perform the duties,
responsibilities of my office to the best of my ability, and at the end of my term,
I will deliver to my successor all records of the office which I accepted, so help
me God. I declare each of you truly and regularly installed in the office which
you have been elected. Congratulations one and all and thank you for your
service. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Great honor at 9 this time to present the president of
the Relief Association, Leigh Peterson. (Applause.)
MR. PETERSON: Thank
you, Mr. President. I apologize, I'm running a little late
this morning. We had a meeting at the Firemen's Home and the traffic was
crazy getting here. Just a couple of comments. First things, hotel/motel
situation down in Wildwood. It's not good. We are not trying to make it look
good, because it isn't. We fought for years, better than 25 years, to get a new
hall. We rode that out. Now we are asking you to ride it out a couple more years
with the hotel, motels. Yes, they are tearing down motels. They have either
torn
down or are committed to tear down 70, which is a loss of 2000 rooms. There are
proposals for three major hotels, high-rise type hotels, they are in the works. It's
not going to be done today or tomorrow. It's going to take a couple of years, few
years to get it done. One is going to be 21 stories, I believe, that's the type of
buildings they are coming into down there. We have been working with the
Wildwoods trying to get rooms for people. As of our May meeting, there were five
associations that did not have rooms. One of those five, I just gave them a letter
two days prior to our meeting, so they are trying to help us out. You might not
be happy with the accommodations that they get, but they are finding
p45.
accommodations for people. At that time, it's almost a month now, there were
approximately 250 rooms available in Cape May. So there may be a little
traveling for a few years, but, please, hang in there. Our caucus schedule is set
up. Naturally, we start the first one in Sussex County at the end of July. And
all
your local associations will contact you and let you know when your caucus is,
if you don't already know that. The burial fund. As of the May 2lst meeting, it was
approved to increase the burial fund from $8,000 to $8,300 effective July 1, 2005.
We reappointed our field examiner and our counsel at the last meeting. As you
know, they are appointed annually, so they were put back in office again. Our
state statutes compendium, constitution, which includes constitution and
by-laws, general relief fund rules, have gone out to the printer. I know we have
been promising these for the last couple of years. Unfortunately, state statutes
had to go through the legislature. And, unfortunately, that also took time. We
have finally got it delivered. The envelopes are all ready to go, we already have
labels on them. As soon as we get the new Compendiums, they will go out to
the locals. Other than that, that's about all I have to offer at this time.
Have a
great day, enjoy the parade, and thank you. (Applause.)
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Unfinished business. Is there any unfinished business
to be taken care of at this time, Mr. Secretary?
SECRETARY HABORAK:
No, sir, not that I know of.
PRESIDENT ROEMMICH: Moving on. New business, Thomas Orr.
COUNSEL ORR: We have resolutions, and with the chair's permission, I will read
all four of them together, we can vote and save the resolution about the by-laws
for a separate vote, since that requires a greater majority. Resolution thanking
he host. New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association. Resolution Thanking
the Host. BE IT RESOLVED, that this Association in convention assembled,
does on behalf of the New
p46.
Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association, express its appreciation, and
publicly thank Mayor and council, the Middlesex Borough Exempt Firemen's
Association and the Middlesex Borough Fire Department as well as any and all
others who have in any way been responsible for the success of the 119th
Annual Convention in Middlesex for the courtesy, hospitality, friendliness and
cooperation extended to the Association
Second thanking the Firemen's Home. New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's
Association Resolution Thanking Board of Managers, Superintendent and Staff
of Firemen's Home. BE IT RESOLVED, that this Association in convention
assembled, does on behalf of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's
Association, express its appreciation and thanks to the Board of Managers of the
New Jersey Firemen's Home in Boonton. The Board's devotion to its guests and
unfailing dedication to its duty is reflected by the friendly appearance and
excellent design of the establishment. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this
Association's sincere appreciation is extended to the superintendent, his staff
and the Board of Mangers for the efficient manner in which the Home is operated.
We handled yesterday a resolution granting honorary Executive Committee
status to Mike Kendzierski and it was presented to him at that time because he
had to be at a Firemen's Home meeting today. New Jersey State Exempt
Firemen's Association Resolution Granting Honorary Executive Committeeman
Status to Michael Kendzierski. WHEREAS, Michael Kendzierski has been a
member of the Plainsboro Volunteer Fire Company having previously served as
President; and WHEREAS, Michael Kendzierski served as the past President of
the Plainsboro Volunteer Fire Company Relief Association; and WHEREAS,
Michael Kendzierski served as past President of the Plainsboro Exempt
Association; and WHEREAS, Michael Kendzierski is an honorary member of the
New Jersey Volunteer Fire Chief's Association; and WHEREAS, Michael
Kendzierski served as the Treasurer of the Middlesex County Exempt
Association; and
p47.
WHEREAS, Michael Kendzierski is a Middlesex County representative to the
Board of Managers of the Firemen's Home; and WHEREAS, Michael Kendzierski
has been an active member of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's
Association having served on the registration committee, current member of the
finance committee and prior chair of that committee, liaison to the Board of
Managers of the Firemen's Home and prior chair of the publicity committee, and
WHEREAS, Michael Kendzierski has been an Executive committeeman of the
New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association from Middlesex County for five
years; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the New Jersey State
Exempt Firemen's Association that an honorary executive committeeman status be
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