2008 CONVENTION MINUTES
THE
122nd ANNUAL CONVENTION
Saturday, August 30, 2008, 9 A.M. Exempt
Convention Montville High School in Montville, New Jersey. President Joseph Pawlak
presiding.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Ladies and gentlemen, I call the convention to order.
Please rise, location of
your exits, to the rear, two in the rear, two on the side, there is also one on each side,
on the stage here in the back.
PRESENTATION
OF COLORS
Boonton Color Guard present colors, please.
Colors are presented
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Pledge of Allegiance led by 2nd Vice President Robert Myers.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
We will now have the National Anthem sung by soloist Anthony Questa, Sgefan Gaines and
Nicole Crespa.
Star Spangled Banner
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
We will now have our opening prayer by past President William Doherty.
OPENING
PRAYER
PAST PRESIDENT DOHERTY:
Heavenly Father, we thankYou for allowing us once again to gather together this morning in
this Montville High School for our 122nd Annual Convention of the New Jersey State Exempt
Firemen's Association.
We thank You for the many blessings
bestowed upon us during this past year. We ask You to be with us today in our
deliberations as we seek to serve those fine men and women who dedicate themselves to the
helping of their fellow firemen and the fire service throughout the State of New Jersey.
We ask You to guide and direct us with Your
Heavenly Wisdom those who we call upon to lead us in our historic organization. And
we ask You to bless each and every one of us and our families now and forever.
All this we pray in Our Savior's
name. Amen.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Boonton Color Guard, retire colors please.
Colors are retired
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
We will now have the welcoming address by Gerry Sheard, Alternate Executive Committeeman,
Morris County.
WELCOME
ADDRESS
MR. SHEARD:
(Reading a letter from Morris County Executive Committeeman Frank Wheatley) Thank
you, Mr. President.
Fellow firefighters, delegates, life
members and guests, I'd like to welcome you to Morris County and the 122nd Annual
Convention of this New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association.
On behalf of the all the delegates, life
members, I also wish to extend our gratitude and our sincere appreciation to the Boonton
Fire Department, Chief, and the Boonton Exempt Association for being our hosts at this
convention, along with their 117th Anniversary and firemen's parade.
This past year they have worked very hard
and have had many meetings. You and your families are all invited to the festivities
at their carnival at the Boonton High School afterwards.
If it's anything like last year, you are
going to have a good time.
Also, would like to remember those
firefighters who are not with us today, who are serving in foreign lands or in harm's way,
or because of illness or sickness and can't join us.
In closing, I'd like to thank you for
attending today. Enjoy the convention and the day and have a safe trip home.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Frank Gluckler is now going to do the Community Service Award.
COMMUNITY
SERVICE AWARD
MR. GLUCKLER:
The Community Service Award of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association is meant
to show our appreciation -- not our appreciation but your appreciation for the one from
your company who has been one of the backbones, or the backbone of the company itself in
your department.
As I have it written down here, not a lot
of people in your company have an opportunity to be a hero, but there are certainly a lot
of them that work around the fire department and, more importantly, bring the fire
department to your town.
This guy's activities in the community are
sometimes more important than anything he does on the fire department. He's active
in little league, scouting, church activities and any other places he can help. And
he volunteers for the personal pride he feels and not for the publicity.
And we are very proud this year to present
the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Service Award to Louis Bizzari, Junior.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Louis, as President of the State Exempts, it gives me great pleasure to present this award
to you on behalf of our Association and all the firefighters in the State of New Jersey.
Applause
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
EGBERT: Lou, also, on behalf of the State Exempt Firemen's Association, I'm
honored to present to you this small token of our appreciation.
Applause
2ND VICE PRESIDENT
MYERS: And a service bar for your years of service.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Lou is going to speak for a minute.
MR. BIZZARI: I'd
just like to thank the members and the committee for nominating me for this award, and I
really appreciate it. And I want to thank my fire department for coming here to this
Convention this morning. And I want to thank everybody on the committee, Bill.
And I really appreciate this award, I'm very proud of it and I'm going to thank
everybody. Thank you.
Standing ovation
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Ladies and gentlemen, before we go any further in the program, I was just notified that
the three guests from the Firemen’s Home have arrived. I'd like to give them a
round of applause, please.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Gentlemen, it’s a pleasure to have you here. Thank you for coming and I hope
you enjoy the Convention. Tom Haborak, reading of the Call To The Convention.
CALL
TO THE CONVENTION
SECRETARY HABORAK:
To the Local Associates of the Exempt Firemen Affiliated with The New Jersey State
Exempt Firemen's Association, Incorporated.
The 122nd Annual Convention Hosted by the
Boonton Fire Department and the Boonton Exempt Firemen's Association will be held at
Montville High School, 100 Horseneck Road, Montville, New Jersey, Saturday, August 30,
2008. Convention convenes at 9:00 a.m. Sharp.
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 on or before June 3, 2008.
New Jersey State Firemen's Association
Convention: On or before the second Wednesday of April, 2008, 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, 2008,
otherwise your delegates will not be seated. Kindly take care of this at your first
meeting of the new year of 2008.
(NOTE: Duly incorporated means that the local
Exempt Association must be incorporated under N.J.S.A. Title 15-A-non profit
corporations.).
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. (Before April 1, 2008, call Dan Ford
only at the above number).
Flags: The Memorial Flags may
be purchased from Chris Assenheimer, 444 Central Avenue, Carlstadt, New Jersey 07072-1524,
201-438-3450. Call for price quote, which includes flags and 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 and alternates and 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, as soon as possible after your elections and they can be completed on or
before June 3, 2008.
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 membership certificates of attendance
to be given to life members to be turned in at the Convention as they register.
Fraternally Yours, Thomas J. Haborak, Sr., State Secretary.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Tom. Now, we are going to have the
addresses of welcome from the invited guests of the Convention host. First,
Chief George Westenberger, Boonton Fire Department.
CHIEF WESTENBERGER:
Thank you. On behalf of the Boonton Fire
Department, we would like to welcome everybody here today for the
festivities. We consider it indeed an honor to host this Exempt parade, and it will
be a privilege to give out that Ellsworth trophy today. Thank you. Have a good
day.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Next we have Chief Don Haskill from the Montville Fire Department.
CHIEF HASKILL:
Good morning. On behalf of Montville Township and all
three districts, Montville, Towaco and Pine Brook, we'd like to welcome
everyone. Have a good morning.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Next, we have Raymond Ryerson, President, Boonton Exempt Firemen's Association. Ray.
MR. RYERSON:
Thank you, Joe. Just like to wish everybody a happy Convention today. And
after the Convention, please stop at the field and go to the parade. Thank you.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Ray has to get out to the grounds and get things going. Next, we have Cyril
Wekilsky, Mayor, Town of Boonton.
MAYOR WEKILSKY:
Thank you. Again, I'd like to welcome everybody to Boonton although you are in
Montville. I hope to see you later on at the carnival. And I just want to say,
every time I have a chance to attend something like this and look out and see all the
dedicated people, it really, really, pleases me greatly. I don't think there's a
better group of people who dedicate their lives to what you all do. So, again, thank
you and have a good Convention.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you. Next, we have Congressman
Rodney Frelinghuysen.
CONGRESSMAN
FRELINGHUYSEN: Good morning. Ed said when I get a cup coffee, "Keep
it short, Frelinghuyssen."
But there are a few things I would like to
say and, first of all, thank you for inviting me to your 122nd Convention.
For generations, this organization has been
representing some of the New Jersey's bravest, our firefighters, fostering unity and
fraternity among its members and looking after its members.
Firefighters hold a unique position in our
society and indeed in America. Each time we hear the siren or see the truck speeding
to help our neighbors, we instinctively think of the uniform and those who wear it.
Either the constant reminder of what you do each day to protect the members of our
community and rescue them when they are in need and indeed protect their property.
Those of you here today are experienced
professionals who have dedicated your lives to helping our community. Your work
comes with great risk and great sacrifice. Many people are thrusts into situations
that require bravery and act with courage when necessary. You are part of a
different group. One that wakes up each day knowing that brave very is
required. It is that conscious choice, that awareness that makes what you do so
special.
The bravery shown by firefighters has been
displayed in countless situations through the years. One such day occurred almost
seven years ago in a matter of 12 days, will recognize the seventh anniversary of
September 11, 2001 attacks.
Mere miles from where we are here in
Montville High School, that national nightmare began. An event so unexpected, so
unprecedented, that few knew exactly how to react. The country was gripped by fear
and when it concluded 3,000 souls, 700 of them from New Jersey lost their lives, and
firefighters were among them.
Throughout the events of that day and
its aftermath New Jersey firefighters and others were needed and they answered the
call. Members of this very organization put their lives on the line because they
knew it was their job to protect others. They headed into lower Manhattan as others
headed from other locations to help those in need.
Each person in this room was touched deeply
by the events of that day. Each of us knew someone lost that day, a friend, loved
one or a family member. Our nation has never before experienced that kind of attack.
There have been many tragic events throughout our
nation's history, but September 11, 2001 was different. Our nation reeled, mourned
and wondered why, but our New Jersey firefighters joined by colleagues from across the
country headed to Ground Zero, mourning and serving at the same time without hesitation
and with little knowledge of what awaited them. And they went to do as they have
always been trained to do, is to help others. Countless tails of courage and valor
live from that day and its aftermath and it's amazing how such terrible events can bring
out the best in so many people.
It's my honor to be here to salute you and
others like you who have served for such a length of time and enjoyed the status of
Exempt. But exempt doesn't mean that you aren't active in your community, as is
recognized earlier by the award that was given.
Congratulations, thank you for making this
the best country on the face of the earth. God bless America.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Next, we have Chris Assenheimer, President of the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs
Association. Chris.
MR. ASSENHEIMER:
Thank you, Mr. President, honored guests. It's
good to be here. Thank you for inviting me to your convention. And on behalf
of the officers and membership of the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs
Association, congratulations and have a great convention.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Chris. Chris also heads up our Ways
and Means Committee selling the items outside. He's got double duty today.
Next, we have Richard Kosmoski, President New Jersey Volunteers Fire
Chiefs Association. Richard.
MR. KOSMOSKI:
President Joe, members of the executive board, delegates and fellow life members, I bring
you greetings and best wishes from the New Jersey Volunteer Fire Chiefs for a very
successful convention.
And, President Joe, I'd like to
congratulate you on the fine job you've done, not only this year as President but in the
years leading up to it as Vice President. We know that you have given 110 percent.
We'd also like to wish you success and
good luck in your future endeavors because the sun is going to come up tomorrow and you
are not going to be the President. So whatever your future endeavors are, we wish
you the best of luck, and stay healthy.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Next, we have John Pencak, President New Jersey Volunteer Firemen's Association.
John.
MR. PENCAK:
Good morning. I bring you wishes from and news from the
New Jersey State Volunteer Firemen's Association.
In the early 1950s, a group of volunteer
firemen got together and decided they should do something about promoting and watching
legislation taking place in the State of New Jersey. And they formed an association.
That association is still in existence
today doing the same type of work. I'd like to congratulate Joe Pawlak for his two
productive years as President of this great association. Thank you.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, John. Paul Roman couldn't be here
today, President of the New Jersey State Fire and Emergency Medical
Services Institute, but we have Ken Anderson to fill his shoes.
MR. ANDERSON:
I am Ken Anderson the past president of the Institute and I bring you greetings from Paul
Roman and the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute to the convention of the State
Exempts.
Paul has been undergoing chemotherapy
and not only those problems but he's had some related problems with that. He just
completed a round on Thursday. He had intended to be here but he called yesterday
and said I've notified the secretary and would you please represent me at the
convention?
His absence doesn't mean that the Institute
doesn't appreciate the support from the State Exempt Firemen's Association, who has been
there from the time Institute was organized in 1992. And we congratulate the
officers on the support, and the new officers coming in, look forward for that continuing
support.
I mentioned the year 1992 and it does
seem like it's taken an awful long time. There were an awful lot of legal problems
to resolve to get the Institute it its proper form. Several other things, but things
seem to really be going forward now. Lots of great things have happened within the
last year and I'd like to share some of those with you very briefly.
Assemblyman Fred Scalara has turned up as
the champion and is getting a fire services caucus organized in New Jersey, which will
complement the Institute or the institute will complement the caucus and we see a great
future in that.
An executive director has been selected and
through his efforts and others, many additional corporate members have been solicited.
There is a program for individual
membership, there are several flyers around, I don't think there are any here today, the
information is also on the Institute's web site. The first, after a long time
coming, dinner was held in May in Trenton. It was a larger result than had been
anticipated. There will be a second dinner next year in May. Details will be
out a little earlier than they were this year, we hope to get some additional support from
the fire service in general, the Exempt Association in particular. So,
congratulations, and have a great convention. Thank you.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Next, we have Mike Kendzierski, Vice Chairman, Board of Managers Firemen's Home also a
fellow firefighter of mine from Plainsboro.
MR. KENDZIERSKI:
Thanks, Joe. Just a quicky; Joe and I are both in the Plainsboro Volunteer Fire
Company. I know Joe over 20 plus year, I guess probably longer than anybody
here. And Joe's done a fantastic job as Vice President and also as President.
So, thanks again, Joe, for all you've done.
Greetings from the New Jersey Firemen's
Home, from the Board of Managers, staff of over 100 and especially our residing guests.
The guests were already noted. We
have several here. I'd like to mention their names and they could raise their
hand. We have George Keeler, Frank Ferrara, Lenny Dante, Don Stemen and Bob
Seuss. Guys, they are over here, thanks very much, and I know everybody appreciates
you being here.
Applause
MR. KENDZIERSKI:
At present we have 73 guests at the Home. This number varies month to month.
In the past year, we had 43 new guests open the Home and 38 answered their final call.
We are constantly improving our facilities
at the New Jersey Firemen's Home. This past year we have completed three major
renovation, kitchen dining hall and Dormitory B. These major projects are addressing
the present and future needs of our guests in order serve them and to make their stay at
the Home more enjoyable.
No one at this Convention, delegates, life
members or guests, ever plans or wants to be a resident at a nursing home. But
presently there are 73 guests at the Firemen's Home who once thought the same way.
Remember one thing in the future, you might
be a guest at the Firemen's Home. Support the Home because the Home belongs to
you. It could be the largest financial benefit you and your family may have.
We do not deny admittance nor discharge a guest because of financial difficulties, nor do
we assess the firefighter's assets for payment as private to nursing homes do.
Fellow firefighters, we are unique at
the New Jersey Firemen's Home. To be eligible to be admitted to the Home, you only
have to be a New Jersey firefighter for one year, very important, male or female. We
have no females at the Home now, but we are ready for them.
You do not have to be in a local
Relief association, you do not have to be a life member nor you do not have to be an
Exempt firefighter to be eligible. Also, if you are injured in the line of duty with
less than one year's service, you are eligible to enter the Home.
As chairman of the Annual Golf Committee, I
am pleased to state the annual golf tournament in 2008 was a huge success. We had
200 golfers and over 70 sponsors. We netted about $15,000, which the proceeds were
used to completely redo our physical fitness facility.
A golf outing for 2009 is scheduled for May
12 at Somerset County.
A special Exploratory Committee has been
appointed by the Chairman of Board of Managers to investigate and recommend alternative
plans for the future. Some of the ideas -- and these are important -- some of the
ideas are independent living, assisted living, and spousal facilities. Nothing is
cast in concrete, but we are starting to look into it.
We are pleased to announce the
issuance of our first newsletter. There will be two issues a year, spring and
fall. The letter will bring you up to date on happenings at the Home. There
are copies of our Firemen's Home brochure, golf outing and the newsletter the in the
hallway. If you didn't pick one up already, please pick one up when you leave.
And, also, after you pick it up, read it. It's interesting.
In conclusion, the Home has been there for
the New Jersey firefighters for 110 years.
Fellow firefighters, we are serving
you today and we will be there for you in the future. Remember, once a New Jersey
firefighter, always a New Jersey firefighter.
Thanks for having a representative from the
New Jersey Firemen's Home. Thank you.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Next, we have George Heflich, President, New Jersey State Firemen's Association.
MR. HEFLICH:
Delegates and life members, brother and sister firefighters, invited guests, my long-time
friend Doc O'Nieal, good morning.
Joe, you did one bang up job with this
Exempt Association. I went to your business meeting yesterday and, Mr. McMahon, the
bottom figure was really great to see on your report. You know what I mean.
I said to you, Joe, as long as I'm an
officer of the Association, along with Vice President Gunson, and the rest of our
Executive Committee, plus even President Emeritus Greenwald, we are out there to
help this association and bring it back where it should be.
Bill, when you become President in an hour
or so, you will get the same help from the Association. I can vow that.
I have my convention in two weeks. I
wish everyone would come down. I will have my turn in the barrel, as Joe had.
But, Joe, you did one bang up job for this Association.
I'd like to congratulate you and hope you
have a successful convention today. And God bless America.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Next, we have Kevin Finnegan, Executive Committeeman, Morris County from the New Jersey
State Firemen's Association. Kevin.
MR. FINNEGAN:
Thank you, Mr. President.
Mr. President, officers,
distinguished guests, delegates and life members, on behalf of the 37 Relief Associations
in Morris County, I'd like to welcome you here to Morris County.
I would like to congratulate President
Pawlak on his successful terms. I have had the opportunity to share bread with him
at various dinners and functions with he and his wife and enjoyed it very much.
I would like to wish my good friend Bill
Egbert the best of luck in his term.
Have a successful convention and see
you after the parade and in Wildwood.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Next, from the Ladies Auxiliary of the New Jersey State Firemen's Association I have
Barbara Wylie.
MS. WYLIE: Good
morning and welcome.
I'd like to welcome all of you to know me
as the Second Vice President of the Ladies Auxilary. I have been working in the fire
service for about 47 years, though I think probably sooner than that, but legally 47.
The State Auxiliary was organized August
27th, 1945 and is celebrating its 62nd Annual Convention this year in Atlantic City.
It's been my pleasure to work on the
Sunshine Fund for the State Auxiliary that benefits children of firemen and police that
are critically ill, terminally ill, or family hardship to make a memory come true in their
heart and a little bit of happiness and smile on their face.
I wish you the best convention possible and
enjoy your day and it's been a pleasure to speak to you all. If anyone would like to
contact me, I will leave the brochures, if you have a child that you think would be in the
realm of being evaluated to go to one of our fundraisers.
May God bless you and have a successful
convention.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Next, from the Ladies Auxiliary of the Firemen of the State of New Jersey, I have Frances
Courtright.
MS. COURTRIGHT:
Thank you. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
I'm president of the Ladies Auxiliary for
the Firemen of the State of New Jersey.
It's a privilege for me to be here with you
today and I'd like to tell you a little bit about our organization. We promote lots
of social ability among the auxiliaries throughout the State of New Jersey. We
donate to the burn centers in New Jersey and to the New Jersey Firemen's Home in Boonton.
We as auxiliaries adopt a fireman and they
become a part of our auxiliary families. We send them cards and gifts and visit them
as much as we can. We feel that they are a part of us and they truly enjoy us being
there with them.
And we would like ask you all of you to
enjoy your day and good luck on your convention and thank you.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
There are two other guests here in the audience that I'd like to recognize, please.
First, Vice President Frank Gunson from New Jersey State Firemen's Association.
Frank.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK: And President
Emeritus of the New Jersey State Firemen's Association and former New Jersey State Exempt
Firemen's Association Officer, Ernie Greenwald.
Applause
KEYNOTE
SPEAKER
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Doctor Dennis O'Nieal has been a superintendent of the National Fire Academy since
1995. He was the first non-political appointed to the position and was selected
after a competitive nationwide search. In 2006, the NFA trained 78,000 firefighters
and officers from all 50 states with a cadre of more than 500 instructors.
Doctor O'Nieal joined the Jersey City, New
Jersey Fire Department in 1971, rising through the ranks, firefighter, lieutenant,
captain, battalion chief, deputy chief and then acting-chief in 1995. He led a
uniformed force of more than 600 firefighters and officers and spent his time in the
street as a line officer.
During that time, he coached thousands of
New Jersey and New York firefighters to prepare them for Civil Service and promotional
exams. He has received numerous local and national and international awards, as well
as four departmental commendations from the Jersey City Fire Department.
Doctor O'Nieal graduated from Rice
High School in the Harlem section of New York City in 1966. He was drafted into the
Army in 1967. He served until 1969 and returned home from overseas with an honorable
discharge. He began attending Jersey City University then Jersey City State College
on the GI bill and was among the first six graduates to receive a Bachelor of Science
degree from the Fire Science Department in 1976.
He immediately began studying Public
Administration at Farleigh Dickenson University and was awarded a Master of Public
Administration degree in 1978. He taught in the Fire Science Program at NJCU until
1983 when he began doctoral studies at the Steinart School of Education at New York
University. He completed his Doctorate in Education in 1990 and taught in the Master
and Doctorate Programs in Education at NYU for five years.
Doctor O'Nieal resides in Gettysburg,
Pennsylvania with his wife Janice a nurse practitioner at Gettysburg College; their son
Brian is a firefighter in the Jersey City Fire Department; their daughter Katie's husband
Ron McNew is a firefighter in the Fairfax, Virginia Fire Department.
Without further ado, ladies and
gentlemen, I'd like to present to you fellow Exempt firefighter, Dr. Dennis O'Nieal.
Applause
DOCTOR O'NIEAL:
Thank you. Joe, I'm surprised at how well you read my mother's handwriting.
Nice job. Nice job. Good morning. I bring you greetings from Secretary
Chertoff and FEMA Director Dave Paulison, who are both very busy right now down at the
Gulf Coast. You may be interested to know that Secretary Chertoff is from Elizabeth,
New Jersey, I think Congressman Frelinghuysen's district. Also from the Fire
Administrator and all the men and women from the United States Fire Administration, thank
you all for the great job that you do here in New Jersey.
You know, my life is kind of pretty well
ordered. It is the President of the United States, President Bush, there's the Vice
President of the United States, Vice President Cheney, and then there's Kenny Anderson,
Joe Pawlak, Bobby Myers and Larry Wood, and then the president or the vice president of
everything else in the world. Thank you all for inviting me here.
And Congressman Frelinghuysen, thank
you for your support of the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Fire
Administration, we appreciate your hard work on our behalf. Thank you.
And one other thing, this is just a private
moment, there are three people in this room this morning who taught me a lot, actually
guided me through my career in the fire service, and that's Chief Bill Oser, Chief Larry
Kelly and Firefighter Brian Ellison. I'm going to ask you three to stand up,
please? Thank you.
Applause
DOCTOR O'NIEAL:
I was coming in this morning from Gettysburg, across Route 78, and when I passed through
the toll both from the Pennsylvania border and drove into New Jersey, I haven't been home
in awhile. And they changed the minimum speed to 85 and no one told me. I was
shocked. I was just driving 70, I thought I was stopped on the shoulder. What
is going on in this state?
And it was, as you know, the truck drivers
going into New York City, they get up about two, three o'clock in the morning. They sleep
in a road stop in Pennsylvania someplace and about two or three o'clock in the morning,
they start driving into New Jersey and into the New York to hit the City early in the
morning.
I came up and there were two tractor
trailers doing the minimum speed, 85, and I was over in the right-hand lane just doing,
like, 80. And I was getting, you know how the cars get all blown around, in my
review mirror, I see this truck coming up behind me. There's only three lanes and
there's two tractor trailers and me I have an old Crown Vic.
So I'm watching the mirror and it's a big
yellow truck, it looked like a rental truck coming up and coming, and coming up, hitting
the high beams, coming up, coming up. All of a sudden I look and I realize it's not
a truck, it's a bus. And I start to speed up a little bit to try to get out of the
way, but there's no place to go.
The bus -- and then I look, it's a school
bus, comes right up on my tail, right up, like that much distance at 85 mile an hour, and
I look in the mirror, and all of a sudden, the bus pulls off to the right, gets on the
shoulder, passes me on the right-hand side. There's a woman driving, she had her
hand out the window doing something with some signals or something. I haven't been
home in awhile, I forgot the sign language. But let me tell you something, that nun
could drive a bus.
If I was to go to Boonton, New Jersey or
Jersey City or Newark in 1878 and stop somebody in the street and say to them, "We
are going to put a box in your house, connect it to a wire, and you can call anyone you
want and talk to anyone you want anywhere in the world, anytime you want." what
do you think they would have said in 1878? "you’re crazy."
alright, after that, the second thing they would have said is "Who am I going to
call? Everyone I want to talk to, I see every day. And if I don't see them,
why would I want to talk to them? Why would I want to talk to anybody in the next
state over or the next city over?"
In 1878 no one could conceive of the impact
of the telephone and how that would be on communications in this country. If I went
to the city manager of Jersey City in 1908, 100 years ago, or New York City or Newark or
Trenton or Elizabeth, and said what's the biggest problem our city is going to face in the
next 20 years? In 1908 they would have said if we don't figure something out in the
horse manure is going to be about this deep in the street. Because in 1908, no one
could conceive of what the impact of the automobile was going to be on our society.
In 1958, 50 years ago, if I went over
to New York City and spoke to the president of the Bell Telephone Company, the person who
had at his finger tips the greatest brains, the brainiacs, all over the world worked for
the phone company. They called them Bell Research Laboratories. They
were doctors of thinkology that just sat in rooms and thought great thoughts.
If I said to the president of the Bell
Telephone Company what's the biggest problem the phone company is going to have in the
next 20 years? The president of the phone company in 1958 would have said we are not
going to have enough operators to handle interstate calls. Because in 1958, if you
wanted to call the next state over, you had to call the operator and tell the operator
"I want to make a long distance call."
The president of the phone company 50 years
ago couldn't conceive of the impact of digital dialing and area codes on phone
numbers. And today in 2008, you sitting in this room have no concept of what the
next 20 years are going to be in the fire and emergency services in this country.
There are things occurring that I want to make you aware of so that you see what's
happening.
It's going to happen whether you like
it or don't like it, whether you believe it or don't believe it, this is going to
happen. And you have a choice. You can either respond to it in a positive way
and deal with it or you can try to ignore it, in which case it will be an 800-pound
gorilla in the living room.
But beginning this year in January
2008, the beginning of the baby boom generation turns 62. Now, I know I'm going to
break a lot of hearts in the room, let me just put this in concept for you, Mick Jagger is
65. Sylvester Stallone is 62. Sit down, hold on to your seats, Dolly Parton,
Farah Faucet, 62.
Now, we know something about the baby
boom generation, they are 78 million strong, they are the largest statistical blip
marching through our society since the day they were born. They were the reason they
built the grammar schools and the high schools and the only generation to go to war and go
to college at the same time. They were the YUPPIES, the MUPPIES, the Puppies.
Well, now, folks, we know three things about senior citizens in this country: Number one,
they are the high risk group for fires; two, they are the high risk group for accidents;
and three, they are the high demand group for emergency medical services. That
shouldn't come as a shock to anyone.
It's almost a perfect storm. We have
this wave that's going to be an increased demand in fire and emergency services all across
the country.
At the same time, we have another wave
coming down. And that is the mortgage crisis and the abandonment of property, the
mortgage foreclosures around the country, and the erosion of the tax basis in our cities.
There are no mayors, no city managers, no
fire chiefs currently serving today who have gone through what we were through in the
1970s, when cities went bankrupt, and fire departments went on strike, and volunteer
firefighters couldn't get equipment and training. So that's another wave that's
coming. That shouldn't shock anyone.
The third wave that's coming has to do with
technology. Everything you do today is on camera. There is nothing that occurs
in public today that does not get recorded. The average American is recorded right
now about 15 times a day. If you are in an emergency situation, you could be sure
there is some 15-year old kid out there with a camera going like this.
The Washington, D.C. Government manages
five thousand cameras throughout the city. So if you or your department is at an
emergency, you can be sure that what you do is being recorded. And you'll have one
chance to explain it in court if you do something wrong because it will all be
subpoenaed. So the liability associated with the actions that you take at these
fires and emergencies and emergency medical service calls are going to be subject to
liability, which has a corresponding demand for training.
They are going to want to know, have you
done your due diligence? Have you taken prudent action? Have you acted within
the scope of your authority? Have you thought about what you are doing? Have
you trained your people?
Now, you have a choice. Those things
are coming. That's not something that you can ignore or go away.
So I'm going to encourage you this morning,
when you go back home to your communities, to talk to young people, to get them interested
in the fire and emergency services. To get them interested in the Exempt Association
and other organizations around the state, because it's the only solution that we have.
Now, you know, I know that this generation
coming up, I don't know if you saw this today -- not today, it was about three weeks ago
in the U.S.A. Today newspaper, it was a quote, "Children Today are tyrants.
They gobble their food. They ignore their parents. They terronize their
teachers.
Anybody see that? Sound about
right? You know who said it? Socrates. Three thousand years ago.
No one thinks the next generation is going
the make it. And you sitting in a room telling a 20-year old or a 30-year old,
"Ah, you don't have it as tough as I did or you don't have the dedication, is merely
discouraging people. They need people like you to mentor them, to bring them in.
I like to tell the story of the impact
of one moment on a person's life because it makes the point. It's a story about a
guy name Walter. There was a soldier, of course in the 1960s and '70s, soldiers came
home from the war and they weren't treated very well. Today, fortunately, Americans
understand that whether you believe or don't believe in the policies of our government,
that the men and women who bear arms to defend democracy always deserve our support.
But it wasn't so in the '60s and '70s.
And one soldier came home and wanted to
sign up for school, and went up to a local college to sign up. And at the time there
was a time at the college called "air drop." air drop was you already
signed up for school, you were admitted to school, you took the first week of classes,
maybe you had a teacher that was too hard, too tough, or you didn't like the subject, you
could drop the class and add a new class. So you could change your mind after the
first week of the class.
So the soldier went up, he went up to
the room where they were having this [*]seance, there was about 600 kids in the room all
waving papers trying to air drop. And they were walking there way up to the front
counter. There was about six harried admission staff behind the counter all trying
to take care of one kid at a time. And it was very clear that if you had one thing
wrong on that piece of paper, they sent you back out into the crowd to fix it, and you had
to work your way all the way back up to the front. If you got up there, you had to
hope the class you wanted wasn't filled.
Well, the soldier got all the way up
to the front. There was a middle aged guy there named Walter. And Walter
turned around and said "What do you want, kid?" Soldier said “I want
to sign up for school.” Walter said you can't sign
up for school now, this is air drop. You should have signed up months ago.
Did you put in an application?”
Soldier said “no, I didn't.”
Walter said, “Did you take SAT exams?” Soldier said, “No.”
Walter said, “Were you admitted to school?” Soldier said,
“No.” Walter said, “Sorry kid, too late, can't sign up now.”
The soldier said, “Well, I couldn't, I just got home from the Army.”
Walter said "When?" The soldier said, “Three days ago.”
Walter picked up a piece of paper, handed it to him. He goes "Here you go, kid,
sign up, take whatever you want. You are in.” Soldier said "I don't
know what to take. I've never been to college." Walter said "Give me
the paper. I'll fill it out for you. I'll give you all the best professors in the
school. These classes are all filled, nobody can get in, but I will sign you
in." In about two minutes, that's all it took, Walter filled out the form, he
signed it. The soldier signed over a check to the school and started school the
following week. And now you all know how I got into college, without ever filling
out an application, without ever taking an SAT. It was the kindest of one person who
didn't have to do what he did for somebody he didn't know.
I often wondered what would have happened
to me had I gotten somebody else at the counter instead of Walter.
About 20 years later I met Walter. I
was at a party, I walked up to him. I said "You used to be the registrar at the
college, right?" Walter said, "Yeah." I said "My name is
Dennis O'Nieal, you got me into." and I told him what I was doing. He
said "Wow, Dennis, that's great, but I'm really sorry, I don't remember
you." I said "Walter, I never forgot you."
So if you don't think you can make an
impact on the next generation, you can. We need more Walters out there.
Organizations need Walters to bring people in into their organization. And you don't
do it through criticism. You do it through encouragement. You do it through
help.
I want to thank you all for inviting me
back home. It's great to be home. And invite all of you back down to New
Jersey Weekend at the United States National Fire Academy. We will see you next
may. Thank you very much.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Dr. O'Nieal. On behalf of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen’s
Association I'd like to present this plaque to you in appreciation for traveling this
distance today and giving us your inspirational words.
DR. O'NIEAL:
Thank you, Joe, I appreciate it.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Before I move on to nomination of officers, I have one other individual I'd like to
recognize in this room. Using Dr. O'Nieal's terminology, he taught me the other day
on the telephone, I'd like to introduce the most seasoned living past chief of Perth Amboy
Fire Department, Art Brown, 63 years service, 95 years young.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Ladies and gentlemen, we are going to move on to nomination of officers. First
up. President of the Association.
Do I have a nomination? Chief David Ward in
the back.
NOMINATION
OF OFFICERS
CHIEF WARD:
Roxbury Township life member. I nominate Bill Egbert for President.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Nomination for Bill Egbert for President. Any other nominations? Do we have a
motion to close nominations?
MR. GLUCKLER:
So moved.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Any seconds?
Chorus of seconds
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Okay, many seconds. Congratulations, Bill. Now, nomination for First Vice
President.
MR. PORCH:
Ralph Porch, Cape May County Committeeman. I'd like to put Bob Myers for First Vice
President of this great Association.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Ralph.
Any other nominations? Motion to close
nominations.
MR. CHRISTENSEN:
Move they be closed.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Seconds?
Chorus of seconds
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Many seconds. Nomination for Second Vice
President.
ROBERT WEIL:
Robert Weil, Lakewood, Ocean County. I nominate Donald Brown for 2nd Vice
President.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Donald Brown has been nominated for Second Vice President from Ocean County. Any
other nominations? Motion for the nominations to be closed.
A VOICE: So
moved.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
So moved. Second?
Chorus of seconds
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
We have nominations now for Secretary.
MR. DOHERTY:
Mr. President, William Doherty, past President, Burlington County. I'd like to
nominate Tommy Haborak for Secretary.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thomas Haborak motion for Secretary. Any other nominations? Motion for the
nominations to be closed.
MR. CHRISTENSEN:
Move they be closed.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Second?
Chorus of seconds
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Many seconds. Nominations for Treasurer.
MR. DE FILIPPIS:
Ed DeFilippis, life member, Bernardsville, Somerset County. I'd like to recommend Ed
McMahon for Treasurer of this great Association.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Nomination of Ed McMahon. Are there any other nominations?
A VOICE:
Move they be closed.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Move the nominations be closed. Second?
Chorus of seconds
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Statistician. Nominations for Statistician.
MR. DOHERTY:
Mr. President, Bill Doherty.
I nominate Hobie Wainwright for statistician.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Nomination for Hobie Wainwright statistician. Any other nominations?
MR. CHRISTENSEN:
Move they be closed.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Motion to close. Second? All in favor?
Chorus of ayes
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Opposed? Motions are all carried.
APPOINTMENT
OF COMMITTEES
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Appointment of committees. The committees are printed in the Journal. They
will be modified by the new President before the reorganization meeting.
ROLL
CALL OF ASSOCIATIONS
Roll call of associations, the preliminary report
of the Registration Committee. Hobie Wainwright. Someone please grab Hobie and
we will
move on. Reading of the minutes of the 2007 Convention.
READING
OF THE 2007 CONVENTION MINUTES
The minutes were printed in the Journal.
They have been available on the web site for several months now. I will entertain a
motion to dispense with the reading.
A VOICE: So
moved.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Many motions. Second?
Chorus of seconds
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
All in favor?
Chorus of ayes
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Opposed? Motion carried. Reception of Communications, Tommy Haborak.
COMMUNICATIONS
SECRETARY HABORAK:
Reception of communications. The office of State Secretary has received for the
period of September 1st, 2007 through August 30, 2008 a total of 200 letters, e-mails,
faxes and telephone calls to ensure the daily operation of the State Organization.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
We will move on to reports of Officers and Committees. Report of the President
REPORT
OF OFFICERS
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Convention meeting August 30, 2008. Since our convention meeting last year on
September 1st, 2007 at The Montville High School, 100 Horseneck Road in Montville, New
Jersey, Morris County, I have attended the following functions and performed the following
duties as a representative of this organization.
Attended 43 meetings, 3 fundraisers, 5
viewings, 21 special events and made 5 trips to the Firemen's Home for a total of 5,072
miles traveled and 725 hours spent conducting the association's business. This does
not include travel time to the various events.
Reviewed and signed all vouchers
authorizing the disbursements of association funds.
I worked with the other officers and
representatives to develop a sound fiscal budget.
I spent approximately 46 hours updating and
fine tuning the organization's web site and spent 20 hours editing and fine tuning the
operations manual.
I made numerous phone calls, sent e-mails,
faxes and letters conducting the association's business.
Assisted several local associations with
problems and concerns via the telephone and fax and assisted numerous exempt members with
concerns and referred several to Counselor Orr for further assistance.
Worked with Vice President Egbert,
Treasurer McMahon and Statistician Wainwright reviewing the association's records stored
at the Firemen's Home as well as those presented to us that were stored in other locations
and developed an inventory of past convention journals that are stored at the Firemen's
Home.
I worked closely with the convention
committee and other officers making arrangements for this year's convention.
I represented the New Jersey State Exempt
Firemen's Association at the Annual Bishop's Firefighters' Mass for the Metuchen Diocese
at St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral in Metuchen, Middlesex County.
I attended meetings of the New Jersey Fire
& Medical Emergency Services Institute as one of the representatives of the New Jersey
State Exempt Firemen's Association.
I sent specific e-mails concerning the
payment of dues and incorporation fees to the record keeper by the local associations.
E-mails were also sent out encouraging the
local associations to respond to the call to convention sent out by the state
secretary. Also, several e-mails were sent out encouraging the selling and
purchasing of journal ads and raffle tickets.
Working with the other officers, revamped
and updated the committee list to include more members on each committee and meet the
bylaw requirements.
I worked closely with the State
Firemen's Association on items of mutual concern and worked very closely with Vice
President Egbert to assure a smooth transition to his presidency.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Report of the 1ST Vice President.
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
EGBERT: Since our last Convention that was held in Montville on September 1,
2007, I have attended the following functions and performed the following duties as a
representative of this Organization:
Attended 26 local association
meetings. Attended 3 County Caucus meetings. Attended the viewing of 6 exempt
firemen. Attended 7 parades and inspections. Attended 24 fund raising and/or
social events. Traveled approximately 3,448 miles.
In addition I worked with the Memorial
Committee in preparation for our annual statewide memorial service that was held on April
19, 2008 in Paulsboro.
We also worked with the Raffle and
Budget Committees to successfully complete their assigned functions.
Worked cooperatively with my fellow
officers by attending various officer meetings and working with Executive Committee
members on small, medium and large projects and issues facing the organization.
During the month of May, I sent letters to
approximately 35 local associations. The purpose of the letter was to remind the
local associations about the procedures required to obtain an exempt certificate. I
also included a copy of the exempt certificate application. And I had received
several follow-up calls and letters resulting from this mailing.
If elected to the position of President of
the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association, I will continue to work for the
advancement of our Association and pledge to work closely with local associations in order
to strengthen the relationship between the local and state associations.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Bill, Report of the 2nd Vice President, Bob Myers.
2ND VICE PRESIDENT
MYERS: Thank you, Mr. President. Since our last convention, I have worked
on behalf of this organization completing the following activities:
I have attended most of the regular
meetings of this organization and some special meetings of the Executive Board; I've
worked with local associations in search of new meeting sites. And I am happy
to report that the Executive Board meetings are now covered up until October of '09 and
our conventions are out to 2015.
The past two years have been very fast ones
for me. I have worked with the President and First Vice President on many projects
to help the Association continue to move on to new heights. They should be commended
for having put in place some new ideas that are working very well. We are fortunate
that each new President has had something new to bring to this group.
In addition to the above, I attended
the annual memorial service for this organization, worked with the raffle group on tickets
sales, as we all did, and sold book ads.
I have worked with many companies to
encourage new membership to this great organization. I believe some good things are
coming in the near future. Thank you all for a great two years.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Report of the Secretary, Tom Haborak.
SECRETARY HABORAK:
To the Officers, delegates, life members assembled at the 122nd 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.
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, dinners, parades, and Brother members' wake services.
In closing I would like to thank the
Officers, the past officers, the Executive Committeemen and all my Brother members for
their support this past year.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Tom. Report of the Treasurer Ed
McMahon.
TREASURER MC MAHON:
This report was given to the Executive Committee and Officers of this association on
December 31, 2007.
Our checking account balance was
$1,068.44.
Our Raffle account balance was $821.87.
Money Market account was $11,914.55.
We had four CDs, one for $17,318.02.
Another one was $17,404.78. Another CD $5,430.72. And the fourth CD for
$5,036.90.
Total Balance as of December 31, 2007 was
$58,995.28. For a net increase over the year of 2006 of $5,887.36.
Yesterday I reported to the Executive
Committee, our report as of yesterday, and we are on track to continue to increase the net
worth of this Organization. And the more we are worth, the more good work we can
do. Thank you.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
We will now have Hobie Wainwright with registration results and he can also do, if he's
prepared to do, the Statistician report.
STATISTICIAN
MR.
WAINWRIGHT: Thank you, Mr. President. To the Executive Officers and
Executive Committee, delegates, life members and guests, fellow firefighters:
I would like to take this opportunity to
thank you for the opportunity to serve as Statistician of this great Association.
The Association Officers held meetings
before the regular quarterly Executive Committee meetings in the Plainsboro Township fire
house, Middlesex County, on October 11, 2007; January 8; 2008 April 17; 2008, July 10,
2008.
The Officers met with the Budget Committee
on March 26, 2008 at the Morris County Fire Academy to prepare the budget for 2008-2009 to
present to the Executive Committee at the April 19, 2008 to be discussed and forwarded to
the convention for approval.
The Executive Committee met on October 20,
2007 in Phillipsburg, Warren County; January 19, Town Bank, Cape May County; April 19,
Paulsboro, Gloucester County; Byram Township, Sussex County, July; and then August 29,
2008 Boonton, Morris County in the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel; August 30, 2008 in the
Montville Township High School Annual Convention hosted by the Boonton Exempt Firemen's
Association and the Boonton Borough Fire Department.
The 26th Annual Memorial Service was hosted
by the Paulsboro Exempt Firemen's Association and the Paulsboro Fire Department with
Pastor Reverend Kevin G. Davis of the St. Paul's United Methodist Church with 88 widows,
firefighters, and families attending. The Memorial Committee gave out grave memorial
association flags and red carnations to the families of the deceased firefighters
attending. The Association Chaplains, Officers, and local Exempt association and
fire department assisted the host pastor in the service.
IN
MEMORY
It is with sadness that I report the
following members that have passed away since our last convention: Alternate
Executive Committeeman James Lutz, III, Paulsboro, Gloucester County; Honorary
Executive Committeeman Joseph Cisco, Wanaque, Passaic County; Honorary Executive
Committeeman Joseph Strongoli, Oceanport, Monmouth County; Honory Executive Committeeman
Vincent S. DiVincenzo, Moorestown, Burlington County; former Registrar Joseph Arnao,
Burlington City, Burlington County; Registrar Fred Molan, Rutherford, Bergen County.
The attendance at the 2007 convention has
increased from 375 to 401 with 112 local associations from 106.
The annual journal profit to the
Association was increased to $2,073.00 for 2007 over 2006.
New associations: Washington Township,
Warren County; Hampton Township, Sussex County; and Pleasantville City, Atlantic County.
I have traveled 981 miles on behalf of the
Association, $3.15 in tolls, $64.51 in telephone calls, $42.00 for postage.
Convention Hotel $50.00 and $80.00 for the annual banquet. Noting that postage was
for mailing registration committee letters and other information as Statistician.
I have spent part of 44 days visiting
businesses in Burlington, northern Camden and southern Mercer Counties. I have spent
numerous hours on the telephone, mailing advertiser letters to the last year advertisers,
along with new prospective advertisers from fire magazines in eastern Pennsylvania,
southern New York, and New Jersey. I will mail a thank you letter to all advertisers
with a copy of the advertisement on the back of the letter with the association official
receipt in the beginning of September.
I have obtained $4,650 in
advertisements and two door prizes from September 2007 through August 2008. I have
forwarded to the Journal Committee Chairman an itemized statement.
It's with pleasure that I continue to be
involved with soliciting ads. I do not accept a solicitor's fee. I take it on
the expenses that I incur. That's what my report reads.
It's a pleasure to increase the finances,
to make it possible for our association to increase its finances. I ask each one of
you here today for your help. Our association along with your own personal finances
know what it means that we are being confronted as Americans as to what we do with our
dollars that we earn or we get from other sources as retirees. And I would ask your
help, I can give you my address, my telephone number, and what-have-you is listed in the
Journal. I will give you a copy that I use as a solicitor that you may go out and
solicit ads on behalf of our great Association. I'm very concerned about our
finances as an individual.
I realize these are the times in which
we are living, when every dollar has a meaning for each of us, and I would ask if you
would try to help us. I thank you for being here this morning. Looking forward
to seeing you next year in West Paterson on July the 18th, as my memory serves me.
Thank you, very much.
Applause
REGISTRATION
MR. WAINWRIGHT:
As the Chairman of Registration Committee, I was here about 15 minutes after, 20 minutes
after nine. We have what is called a requirement of at least 100 local
associations. We have 109 associations as of nine o'clock that checked in. So
that we can have a quorum and be able to say that we have a legal meeting. We thank
you that you made that possible. I will be back later on to give you a county by
county number. They are in the process of counting that now. Thank you, Mr.
President.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you. One comment before I continue: Hobie's first initial is J, J.
Hobart Wainwright, stands for Joseph, same name as mine. Hobie and I spend many
hours on the phone talking about things for this Organization, as well as I have with the
other Officers. But Hobie uses the words "be encouraged" all the
time. So I have to call him "my encourager." He led me through some
rough spots we had for a while there.
Anyway, moving on. I need a motion to accept
Hobie's report because it contains money. And then we are going to go back, and I
need a motion also for the Treasurer's report, which I forgot.
Motion for Hobie's report? Bob Kelly.
MR. DE FILIPPIS:
Second.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Second by Ed DeFilippis. All in favor.
Chorus of ayes
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Opposed?
Motion carried. Can we go back to the
Treasurer's please.
MR. GLENN ROEMMICH:
Motion.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Motion by Glenn Roemmich.
A VOICE:
Second.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Eugene Enfield, Edison, Life member second. All in favor?
Chorus of ayes
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Opposed? Motion carried. Now, we go to
recordkeeper Ed De Filippis. Before Ed gives his report, I want to make a
quick comment about Ed. Ed works a lot behind the scenes, as do other
people here. He's the gentleman responsible to make sure that all the local
associations file their incorporation papers on time; and one of the offshoots
of that is if your local association doesn't do it, your Exempt delegate doesn't
get to go to Wildwood. So this guy is really important. He works a lot behind
the scenes. Thanks, Ed. Go ahead.
RECORDKEEPER
MR. DE FILIPPIS:
Thank you, Joe. Actually, you probably all think that I'm a nuisance, because you
get, many, many phone calls.
Anyway, as of this date, we have a
total 365 associations ready to renew their incorporation to the New Jersey State Exempt
Firemen's Association and/or pay dues.
The breakdown is 350 incorporated Exempt
Associations, three county associations, the Bergen County Home and the New Jersey State
Exempt Firemen's Association, and independent associations who pay dues but incorporate on
their own. All the associations have paid their incorporation money and/or dues for
the year 2008.
And at present I have reviewed 339 annual
reports. I have 16 left, and I expect to receive them from Trenton in the next two
weeks. All renewals will be paid by the Wildwood Convention.
I have transferred $10,500 to our State
Treasurer for the year 2008. And my checkbook balance is $755.57. Respectfully
submitted.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Ed.
Now, we have to go to Counselor Thomas Orr.
MR. DOHERTY:
Motion to accept the report.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Motion by Bill Doherty to accept that report.
A VOICE:
Second.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
I have Jeff Pryor over here from Plainsboro seconding the motion.
All in favor?
Chorus of ayes
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Opposed? Motion carried. Go ahead, Counselor.
COUNSELOR
COUNSELOR ORR:
Thank you. Good morning. It's my pleasure to submit my annual report to the
New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association.
I have attended every meeting and prepared
resolutions, I've also advised the association and member association on matters related
to Exempt Firemen, particularly changes to the tenure laws based upon Appellate Division
opinions. Thank you.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Tom.
Now, we have internal auditor, JohnLeo Fedorka.
INTERNAL
AUDITOR
MR. FEDORKA:
Report of the Internal Auditor for the 122nd Annual Convention assembled in Boonton, New
Jersey, August 30, 2008.
Officers, life members, delegates and
honored guests. Since our last convention, I have reviewed all of the financial
transactions and bank records and I have been monitoring all of our actual expenditures
against our budget allotments. I find that all of our records are in order.
I prepared the FY 2007 complete itemized
transaction report for the budget committee by our January Executive Committee meeting
thus allowing the budget committee adequate time to prepare the 2009 budget. By
itemizing my report the committee can see exactly where the state association money is
spent.
Some of your may recall that in the
past that our budget numbers versus our actual income and expenditures was not very
accurate. Our budget estimates were very high and our actual operations were
significantly lower.
I am happy to report that I think with
the processes now in place, we are getting very close tp preparing an accurate budget that
we can operate our association within.
I am presently in the process of preparing
a comparison report starting in 2006 to the end of this year 2008 to see exactly how close
we are or have been to our proposed budgets. I will make that part of my report not
only to the Executive Committee but also to you at our next convention, provided I am
re-appointed by the Executive Committee.
I look forward to serving our new officers
and this great Association in the future, and I thank the Executive Committee for the
confidence they place in me to perform this important task. And I will continue to
serve the Association in this capacity until they desire to make a change.
Lastly, I would like to compliment and
thank the Treasurer for his timely and helpful assistance and reports, it makes my job
much easier. Respectfully submitted, JohnLeo Fedorka, Past State President, Internal
Auditor.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
This is a formality, I'd like to have a motion and second to accept the report, even
though there are no specific finances involved. Make a motion.
DON BROWN:
Makes the motion.
CARL CHRISTENSEN:
Second.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
All in favor?
Chorus of ayes
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Opposed? Motion carried. I don't believe there are any chaplains
present. Sergeant of Arms? Budget, Larry Wood.
SERGEANT
OF ARMS
No report.
REPORT
OF COMITTEES
BUDGET
MR. WOOD:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I have placed copies of the budget on the
stage here, if anyone would like to have a copy. We will be picking them up after
the meeting, so if you would like to have them, get them after the meeting.
August 30, 2008. To the delegates and
life members assembled at the 122nd Annual Convention of the New Jersey State Exempt
Firemen's Association, Inc., being held at the Montville High School, 100 Horseneck Road,
Montville, New Jersey 07045.
Subject: Report of the Budget
Committee. Brothers, as required by the by-laws of this great association, the
Budget Committee has prepared a budget for fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.
The budget was presented to the Executive
Committee at their meeting held on April 21st, 2008 and was approved at the July 19, 2008
for submission to this Convention with a recommendation that it be adopted as presented.
Please find a copy of the budget attached.
Firematically yours, Budget Committee Chairman, Lawrence D. Wood.
RECEIPTS:
R101
Dues
$ 8,875.00
R102 Incorporation
Fees $
8,730.00
R103 Ad
Book
$ 30,000.00
R104 Administrative
Fee $
1,770.00
R105
Merchandise $
3,500.00
R106
Flags
$15,000.00
R107 Grave
Markers $
2,500.00
R108
Banquet
$ 3,100.00
R109
Rooms
$ 3,500.00
R110
Donations
$ 1,000.00
R111
Raffle
$ 6,000.00
R112
Interest
$ 1,600.00
R113
Bequests
$ 0.00
_________
Total
Income
$85,575.00
DISBURSEMENTS:
D1000 Stipends
D1001
President
$ 1,000.00
D1002 !st Vice
President
$ 600.00
D1003 2nd Vice
President
$ 450.00
D1004
Secretary
$ 3,100.00
D1005
Treasurer
$ 650.00
D1006 Executive
Secretary
$ 1,000.00
D1007
Counsel
$ 1,000.00
D1008 Record
Keeper
$ 500.00
D1009 Internal
Auditor
$ 350.00
D1010
Statistician
$ 300.00
D1011 Flag
Committee
$ 100.00
D1012 Chaplains (3) @
$75
$ 225.00
D1013 Movie
Committee
$ 0.00
D1014 Committeemen 26 @
$100 $ 2,600.00
D1015 Ways and
Means
$ 0.00
D1016
Book
$ 800.00
Sub
Total
$12,675.00
D2000
Convention
$13,000.00
D3000
Book
$18,000.00
D4000 Executive Committee Expen. $ 1,500.00
D5000
Secretary
$ 1,000.00
D6000
Treasurer
$ 1,000.00
D7000 Ways and
Means
$ 2,500.00
D8000
Flags $18,150.00
D9000 Grave
Markers $
2,500.00
D10000 Incorporation.Registrations$ 9,300.00
D11000
Raffle $
4,200.00
D12000
Legislation $
50.00
D13000 News
Letter $
0.00
D14000
Legal $
50.00
D15000 Fire
Institute
$ 200.00
D16000
Memorial
$ 250.00
D17000 Fire
Advisory
$ 0.00
D18000
Officers
$ 400.00
D19000 Internet
Expenses
$ 500.00
D20000
Publicity
$ 50.00
D21000 Service
Award
$ 250.00
_________
Total
$85,575.00
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Ladies and gentlemen, we need a motion to accept the resolution for the budget.
MR. CHRISTENSEN:
Carl Christensen, Middlesex, make the motion.
MR. FARINO: Bob Farino, Ocean County second.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
All in favor?
Chorus of ayes
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Opposed?
Motion carried. Constitution and Bylaws; C.
Kenneth Anderson.
CONSTITUTION
& BYLAWS
MR. ANDERSON:
To the Officers, delegates and life members assembled at the 122nd Annual
Convention, New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association in Montville, New Jersey.
Subject: Report of Constitution and
By-laws Committee. Dear Members: Several proposals for amendments to the
Constitution and By-laws were submitted by representatives from a County Caucus and a life
member. They were referred to this Committee. After review, several questions
were referred to the Executive Committee. From the discussion, the Committee made
further study. Ultimately, the Executive Committee decided that it would not support
any of the changes. The proposers withdrew their proposals.
The Committee has not 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, C. Kenneth
Ancerson, Chairman.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Ken. We will now have a report from
Rich Vander Berg, Convention Committee.
CONVENTION
COMMITTEE
PAST PRESIDENT VANDER
BERG: This is the report of the Convention Housing and Banquet Committee report
for 2008, the financial report.
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 Sheraton Hotel,
199 Smith Road, Parsippany, and 58 room nights were booked. The breakdown by evening
is: 6 rooms on Thursday, 8/28/2008; 47 rooms on Friday, 8/29/2008; and five rooms on
Saturday, 8/30/2008.
The following amounts were turned over to
Ed McMahon, the State Treasurer: $1,530; $1,270; $810; $550; $190; $395; $235; for a total
of $5,280. That's money received for people using the rooms and going to the
banquet.
All members and guests are now charged 50
percent of the hotel fees for Friday night and 100 percent for Thursday and Saturday night
rooms, in an effort to overcome the sliding cash reserves in the financial accounts of the
Association.
Banquet tickets were printed on a home
computer. Expenses were $112 for envelopes, stamps and copies to correspond to the
mailings to the association membership. Total Expenses were $112.
Checks paid to the Sheraton Hotel by the
State Treasurer, Ed McMahon, were $450 for the D.J. for last night, $2749.30 for the
meetings and the banquet meals, and $5,999.97 ($500 deposit and $5,499.97) for the hotel
rooms. Total of all disbursements were $9,311.27.
Thank you. Respectfully submitted, Richard
Vander Berg and Frank Wheatley.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Rich. Included monies, we need a
motion.
MR. CHRISTENSEN:
Carl Christensen, Middlesex, so move.
MR. BROWN:
Don Brown, Ocean, second.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
All in favor?
Chorus of ayes
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Opposed? Motion Carried.
CONVENTION
JOURNAL
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
At this point, we are supposed to have a report on the convention book.
Unfortunately, Len Minkler left to go home. He's not feeling well. He should
be okay. He just every once in a while is taken ill. So with that, I'm just
going to spend a minute about Lenny's book.
I call it Lenny's book, although there are
many people involved in selling the ads and submitting information, Lenny is the lone
soldier. Lenny spends hours on this book, this is his baby. Lenny has a
background in the printing business so it goes well with putting this book together.
So I just want to ask you when you
have your time and your leisure to look through this book, you may find some imperfections
in the book. We are all human and make mistakes. Many hours went into this
book to be developed. And I just thought you needed to know that on Lenny’s
behalf.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Gerry Sheard, election committee.
ELECTION
COMMITTEE
MR. SHEARD:
Thank you, Mr. President.
Since there is only one nominee for the
each of the officers of state association, and one nominee for each of the county
executive positions, unless the election committee members have any concerns, the election
committee declared that these nominees be elected and request the president of this
association entertain a motion and have the secretary cast a unanimous vote for all the
nominees.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
I will entertain that motion at this point, Frank.
MR. GLUCKLER:
Frank Gluckler Bergen County, so move.
MR. VANDER BERG:
Rich Vander Berg, Passaic County, second.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
All in favor?
Chorus of Ayes
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Opposed? Motion carried. Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen, you are now
elected.
Applause and
congratulations
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Now, have the report from the executive committee chairman, William Egbert.
THE
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
EGBERT: The Executive Committee of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's
Association, Inc. consists of the elected officers of he association and the elected
executive committeemen. All counties are entitled to elect one executive
committeeman. Counties with a population over 600,000 or having more than thirty
local associations shall be entitled to elect two executive committeemen. The
counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Middlesex and Monmouth have two executive committeemen.
The Executive Committee is required to meet
as follows: A. Within 60 days following the Annual Convention, B. Approximately 60 days
frior to the Annual Convention, C. The afternoon before the Annual Convention, D. During
the winter, as scheduled by the Chairman, E. During the spring as scheduled by the
Chairman.
As required by the constitution, the
Executive Committee held the following meetings since the 2007 Annual Convention on
September 1, 2007. Saturday, October 20, 2007 in Phillipsburg, Warren County.
This was the reorganization meeting for the Executive Committee with First Vice President
William Egbert serving as chairman. President Joseph Pawlak presented the new list
of committees for the fiscal year of the Association. The Executive Committee
elected Thomas Orr and Past President JohnLeo Fedorka as Councselor and Internal Auditor
respectively. The regular order of business was covered during the remainder of the
meeting including a lengthy discussion regarding the makeup of the Executive
Committee. The Executive Committee voted to proceed with the dissolution of the Glen
Ridge Exempt Association and support of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
initiative “Everyone goes Home.”
Saturday, January 19, 2008 Town Bank, Cape
May County. This meeting was held a the Town Bank Fire Company. The regular
order of business was covered during this meeting. Reports and comments were
received concerning the makeup of the Executive Committee. It was determined not to
make any recommendations at this time. Local Associations, Life Members or Delegates
may submit a resolution regarding this topic in accordance with our constitution and
by-laws. Discussion regarding plastic grave markers was held and a motion to
approve the Raffle Committee’s request for funding was approved.
Saturday, April 19, 2008, Paulsboro,
Gloucester County. This meeting was held in conjunction with our annual memorial
service and at the Paulsboro Fire House, home of past president Archie Roemmich and Raffle
Committee Chairman Glenn Roemmich. The Executive Committee approved the expenditure
of funds to send some of our members to the NJ Fire and Emergency Medical Services
Institute dinner on May 19th. President Pawlak appointed Joan Lutz as
Alternate Executive Committeeman from Gloucester County and Rev. Kevin G. Davis as
Chaplain from the South section of NJ. The Executive Committee approved the
applications from Washington Twp. (Warren County) and Hampton Twp. (Sussex County).
Saturday, July 19, 2008, Byram Township,
Sussex County. Byran Township is one of our new local associations to join the State
Assocaition. Budget Committee Chairman Larry Wood presented the budget for 2009 to
the members. After some discussion, the Executive Committee approved the proposed
budget for presentation at the Annual Convention. It was reported that recent
discussions concerning the makeup of the executive committee have led to the local
associations withdrawing their request for changes. The Executive Committee
approved the withdrawal of the proposals. Treasurer McMahon requested some
discussion regarding the purging of our financial records. He will prepare a report
for our pre-convention meeting.
Friday, August 29, 2008, Parsippany, Morris
County. This meeting was held yesterday afternoon at the Sheraton Parsippany Hotel
in Parsippany. The officers and committee chairman gave their activity reports since
our July meeting. Treasurer McMahon recommended procedures for purging non-essential
financial records that the Executive Committee approved. In addition, final
preparations for today’s convention were discussed and agreed upon.
Respectfully Submitted, William Egbert, Chairman.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Bill.
Next, will be the Finance Committee, Ted do you
have a report? No. We will move on. The N. J. Fire and Emergency Medical
Services Institute, C. Kenneth Anderson.
FINANCE
No report.
N. J.
FIRE & EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES INSTITUTE
MR. ANDERSON:
To the Officers, Delegates and Life Members Assembled at the 122nd Annual
Convention, N. J. State Exempt Firemen’s Association, Montville, N. J. Subject:
Report of Representatives N. J. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute.
Dear Members: Since our last convention,
the Board of Directors of the Institute met four times. The State Exempts were
represented at all meetings.
The officers re-elected at the January
meeting are: Paul Roman, President; Carl Christensen, Vice President; Roger Potts,
Secretary; and Charles Moots, Treasurer. C. Kenneth Anderson was elected to a 3 year
term as Trustee.
David A. Matos, Jr. of the Matos group was
retained as the Executive Director of the Institute. He is charged with the
responsibility for managing the organization’s routine business and communications,
establish a permanent office for the Institute in Trenton, assist the Institute in
identifying and communicating with potential corporate partners, and assist in conducting
the annual dinner, coordinating with corporate sponsors and other stakeholders.
State and federal legislation and
regulations are discussed at the meetings. In some cases, the member organizations
are asked to send letters or provide testimony on the matters. In a few cases, the
Institute itself provides testimony.
Most of this legislation is also tracked by
our Exempts Legislative Committee and I will not duplicate that information in this
report.
A fund raising dinner, similar to the
National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, had been recommended by several
of the corporate sponsors. Various alternatives were discussed. Some members
had attended the Pennsylvania dinner and reported on it. Ultimately May 19th
was set as the date and the Trenton Marriott was set as the location.
The State Exempts supported the dinner and
several members attended. The attendance was 185. Dr. William Jenaway was the
speaker. Assemblyman Scalera announced the formation of a Fire Services Caucus of
the members of the Legislature. Scalera was recognized as Legislator of the
year. The corporate sponsors were recognized.
A similar dinner will be held on May 18,
2009.
The Career Chiefs and the FMBA proposed a
Meet and Greet reception in the State House in March. In lieu of a Summit this year,
the Institute agreed to participate in that activity and authorized up to $300 toward the
costs. The event was very successful. Consideration is being given to holding
two such receptions each year.
The Institute is pleased that the State
Exempts pays its dues on time and its representatives attend and participate in the
meetings. It is only by full participation of all emergency services organizations
that the work of the Institute can be successful. One of the projects is to
encourage the foramton of a Legislative Caucus. An actively functioning Institute
will help achieve that goal. Fraternally submitted, C. Kenneth Anderson,
Representative.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Ken. We had a report from the
Firemen's Home from Co. Chairman -- vice chairman, excuse me, Mike
Kendzierski. I'm wondering if Bill Oser is here and has anything he wants to
add to that. Bill Oser is a representative to the Exempt Association. No.
Grave Marker Committee, Dan.
GRAVE
MARKER
MR. FORD:
Good morning. Since my last report on September 1, 2008, we sold 91 grave markers
and provided 1 grave marker for presentation.
This resulted in receipts of $2,748.15. All
monies have been turned over to treasurer McMahon.
100 new grave markers were ordered and
received during the year. This results in year-end inventory 139 grave markers in
stock.
Again. We have grave markers here for sale
or you may call either myself, Charles Byrne or Steve Clar with an order.
Respectfully submitted, Daniel D. Ford.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Dan, I need a motion to accept Dan's report.
MR. DOHERTY: Bill
Doherty, Burlington County, so move.
MR. DEFILIPPIS: Ed
DeFilippis, Someset County. Second.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
All in favor.
Chorus of ayes
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
All opposed. Motion carried. Legislative Committee, Carl Christensen.
LEGISLATIVE
MR. CHRISTENSEN:
Legislative report for the 2008 Convention. Enacted into Law; Senate 229 Chapter 220
Laws of 2007 amending NJS40A:14-37 and NJS 40A:10-29, increases the maximum permissible
amount of Life Insurance to $25,000.00 that can be carried on a Volunteer Firefighter by a
Municipality and or a Fire District.
Senate 983 Chapter 064 Laws of 2008
amending 43:17-42 and 43, changes the filing date for Delegates and Alternates to the
State Firemen’s Convention from June 1 to May 1 of each year.
Senate Bill 134 was signed into law on
August 21, 2007 requiring that mattress and box spring boxes that are offered for sale in
NJ to meet the Federal cigarette-ignition and open flame standard.
Senate Bill 984 was signed into law on
December 20, 2007 which ensures that fire drills are conducted in schools while open for
summer programs.
The House Bill HR 3648 is the Volunteer
Responder Incentive Protection Act, which prohibits taxation of certain benefits provided
by State and Local units of government to Volunteer Fire Fighters and EMS personnel.
Specifically, the first $360.00 received for service is not considered taxable
income. This bill was signed by President Bush on December 17, 2007.
Unfortunately, our 3% Bill (S-1854) was not
able to proceed further before the summer recess. We did get it passed by the Senate
Law & Public Safety Committee with 2nd reading, which means that it would
be voted on in the first Senate Session that it was presented. The full legislature
is off until the second week of September unless a special session is called. It
would be very unlikely that our Bill would be heard at a special session.
Under Federal Benefits and the PSOB, please
go to the following web site for info on the PSOB
www.oip.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/psob/psob
main.html. As of October 1, 2007 the benefit amount is $303,064. The PSOB
has been expanded to include disability and education benefits to spouses and
children. For full information, go to the web site that I provided above.
Department of Justice Requests Comment
on Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Rulemaking. The Department of
Justice’s Office of Justice Programs has published a rule in the Federal Register to
amend the regulation that implements the Public Safety Officer’s Benefits (PSOB) Act
and associated or related statutes. The rule is open for public comments, which must
be received by 5:00 P.M. EST on September 8th. For the full announcement
and a link to the rule and how to submit comments, go to
http://www.nvfc.org/page/626/show item/814/News.htm. Respectfully submitted,
Carl S. Christensen.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Carl.
Just as point of information, we have about ten
minutes to go and we will be starting our memorial service, if there are any participants
I need you to come up here at this time. Memorial Committee.
MEMORIAL
COMMITTEE
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
EGBERT: Our 2008 was reported on previously. For 2009 the service will be
on April 18th, in Waldwick, Bergen County.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
New associations, Ed De Filippis.
NEW
ASSOCIATIONS
MR. DE FILIPPIS:
Thank you, Joe. Since our last convention we have incorporated three new
associations. They are as follows: Pleasantville of Atlantic County, Hampton Twp. of
Sussex County and Washington Twp. F. D. #1 of Warren County.
I have notified the N. J. State
Firemen’s Office Association office located in Kenilworth by sending a letter to
President Heflich. I have been told that all three associations will be able to seat
their exempt delegate at the Wildwood Convention in September.
We welcome them aboard. I have no
further business. Respectfully submitted, Ed De Filippis, Recordkeeper.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Ed.
Operations Manual, Bill Doherty.
OPERATIONS
MANUAL
MR. DOHERTY:
Mr. President, the Operations Manual Committee has no assignments given to them this year
to pursue.
With your help and great cooperation our
manual has been printed and distributed to those who are in need of a manual.
I would again like to thank my committee
who are C. Kenneth Anderson, Carl Christensen and J. Hobie Wainwright for their time and
dedication that they have given me throughout my term as chairman. I would also like
to thank you, Mr. President, for the confidence you had in me and my committee.
It has been a great privilege serving with
you for the last four years and you are to be congratulated for a job well done.
Thank you, Mr. President. Bill Doherty, Chairman.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Bill. Publicity Committee, Bob Kelly.
PUBLICITY
MR. KELLY:
Mr. President and Other Executive Officers, Assembled Delegates and Life Members, and Our
Honored Guests and Speakers:
During the year 2007-2008, I’ve worked
to promote the NJSEFA by seeking news coverage of our various events. I have on
limited occasions, continued to utilize the print news media, generally with consistently
poor publication results. In any event, I continue to maintain the contact files for
those various print news outlets.
We’ve had some success in utilizing
the “1st Responder” and “NJ Fire News” newspapers; both of
which have carried our messages, in either print or electronic media. I thank their
editorial and publishing staffs for their assistance.
I appreciate the assistance of our
Association Web-Masters for maintaining the Assocaition’s Web Page, located @ www.njsefa.org. I strongly urge all of our
brother and sister members to check this site regularly for information and updates.
I’ve continued the use of electronic
correspondence wherever possible, to send copies of press releases and
announcements. In instances where electronic communications is not possible, I
continue to utilize faxes to transmit information.
Our current mailing lists include: 19
County Fire Academies or Training Facilities; 21 County Fire Coordinators; 20 County Fire
Marshal Offices; and the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety.
We also utilize a minimum of 17 contact
persons to send our message to some 13 state wide fire service organizations representing
various fire service interests, responsibilities and activities.
The Fire Service Women of NJ – NJ
State Fire Chief’s – NJ State FMBA – NJ Association of Fire Districts
– and the NJ Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators are
examples of this widely diverse group.
Since last year’s convention,
I’ve distributed a total of 162 copies of Press Releases to the previously mentioned
media, agencies and groups; announcing our 26th Annual Memorial Service held on
April 19th and today’s Convention, our 122nd .
In the coming year, I will continue my
attempts to increase coverage of and attendance at Association functions. I will
endeavor to improve our communication with New Jersey’s Firefighters.
While unsuccessful to date, I will continue
to explore opportunities to utilize communication professionals who may be willing to
assist us pro-bono.
In closing, I thank President Pawlak, and
Vice Presidents Egbert and Myers for their support. as in past years, I also thank
the many members of our Executive Committee and other interested members; for their help
and assistance in promoting, protecting, and preserving this Association. This
concludes my report. Respectfully submitted, Robert J. Kelly.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Bob.
Now, we will hear from Glenn Roemmich of the
Raffle Committee.
RAFFLE
MR. ROEMMICH:
Raffle Committee report, convention report August 30. For the 2007 Raffle a total of
5,319 tickets were sold.
The Raffle was pulled at 6 p.m. in the
Parking lot of Boonton High School. The following members of this association were
present, President Joe Pawlak, Vice President Bill Egbert, Treasurer Ed McMahon, Past
President Archie Roemmich, and Raffle Chairman Glenn Roemmich.
1st prize of $1,329.75 was
won by Arthur J. Bruhn. Mr. Bruhn was at the school when the winning ticket was
pulled, and a picture was taken of Mr. Bruhn with President Pawlak and Vice President
Egbert.
2nd prize of $797.85 was won by
Mr. Michael Godfrey.
3rd prize of $531.90 was won by
Mr. Edward Frey Jr.
The required Report of Operations was
completed and sent to the State.
Raffle expenses were:
Printing
$ 774.68
Postage $
228.43
Permit
$ 40.00
Photo
Copies $
38.02
Raffle
Report
$ 20.00
1st
Prize $1,329.75
2nd
Prize $
797.85
3rd
Prize $
531.90
Total
Expenses $3,760.63
Total Ticket
Money $5,319.00
(Less)
Expenses $3,760.63
Profit
$1,558.37
The committee wishes to thank everyone who
has helped with the raffle in any way. Tickets are still available, until the
conclusion of this meeting, at which time we will draw the winning tickets.
I would like to relay today that the Raffle
Committee this year made our budget, we sold 6,000 tickets to right now.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you. That is very good news. We will do the report from the Registration
Committee and then we will start the memorial. Sorry, we need motion to accept
Glenn's report.
MR. DEFILIPPIS: Ed
DeFilippis, life member Somerset County. Motion to accept.
MR. PRYOR: Jeff
Pryor, Life Member Plainsboro, Middlesex County. I second.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
All in favor?
Chorus of Ayes
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
All opposed? Motion carried. Report of the Registration Committee. Hobie
Wainwright.
REGISTRATION
COMMITTEE
MR. WAINWRIGHT:
Registration report for today as audited.
County
Delegates Life Members Quorum
Atlantic
0
0
0
Bergen
20
14
14
Burlington
4
12
7
Camden
2
1
1
Cape May
0
2
1
Cumberland
5
3
1
Essex
16
4
5
Gloucester
0
3
1
Hudson
11
18
4
Hunterdon
2
2
1
Mercer
2
3
1
Middlesex
24
24
15
Monmouth
21
14
7
Morris
4 32
14
Ocean
2
4
3
Passaic
13
9
7
Salem
0
4
2
Somerset
6
4
5
Sussex
7
8
6
Union
14
9
8
Warren
9
6
4
TOTAL
162
176 (107)
GRAND TOTAL
338
Respectfully Submitted, J. Hobart Wainwright,
Chairman
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Hobie. We will now start the memorial service.
AW
MEMORIAL
SERVICE
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Montville Color Guard, please present the colors.
Colors presented
MR. ANDERSON:
CALL TO WORSHIP. Our help is always in the Lord, who made the heavens and the
earth. Brothers and sisters, we believe that all the ties of fellowship and affection that
knit us as one throughout our lives do not unravel with death, confident that God always
remembers the good we have done and forgives us our sins. We are gathered here this
morning to humbly offer our solemn homage to all those heroic firefighters who have
answered their last alarm and have gone home to be with the lord as he promised we would
all do some day. So let us ever be mindful of that great sacrifice they have given
whether in the line of duty or just answering that last call by being sick of some
disease. May their souls rest in peace. INVOCATION. Let us
pray. Almighty God, our heavenly Father, as we remember before You our brothers and
sisters of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen’s Association, who have answered their
last alarm. We also commend to your loving care these losses of loved
ones. May your love and consolation be with them in their time of sorrow. May
we continue to give our communities that same high devotion to duty, the same contribution
of ourselves to the welfare of life that they gave in their day, thereby building in our
time, a heritage worthy to be handed to those generations yet to come. To your
loving care, and gracious provision, we commend all of these who remember this day even as
we commend their families and loved ones to you. We pray this in the name of our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
sung by soloists Anthony Questa, Agfen Gaines and Nicole Crespa.
MR. GLUCKLER: We
will have the scripture reading Psalm 23. Please respond; The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. In Verdant
pastures He gives me repose; Beside restful waters He leads me; He refreshes my
soul. The Lord is my sheperd; I shall not want. He guides me in right
paths for his name sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil, for
you are at my side with your rod and your staff that gives me courage. The Lord
is my shepherd; I shall not want. You spread the table before me in the sight
of my foes; You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. The Lord is my
shepherd; I shall not want. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of
my life; and I shall walk in the house of the Lord for years to come. The Lord is
my shepherd; I shall not want.
MR. McMAHON:
GOSPEL; John 12:23-28
“The hour has come for the Son of Man to be
glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and
dies, it remains a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever
loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for
eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also my servant will
be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. I am troubled now. Yet what
should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ But it was for this
purpose that I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a
voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it and I will glorify it again.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
MR. EGBERT:
Firemen’s Bell is rung 3 times by Mr. Egbert. Eternal rest, grant unto
them, Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.
MR. MYERS: A
Firemen’s Prayer
When I am called to duty, God
Where ever flames may rage,
Give me strength to save some life,
Whatever be its age.
Help me embrace a little child,
Before it is too late,
Or save an older person from,
The horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert,
And to hear the weakest shout,
And quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
And to give the best in me,
To guard my every neighbor,
And protect his property.
And if according to your will,
I have to lose my life this day,
Please bless with your protecting hand,
My family, this I pray.
Amen.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Now, we will have taps played by Anthony Questa.
Taps played by Anthony
Questa of the Harmony Drum Corps.
Danny Boy sung by
soloists Anthony Questa, Sgefan Gaines and Nicole Crespa.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Color guard retire colors (colors are retired).
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
This concludes our memorial service for today. Please be seated. We will now
resume the program with Resolution Committee Report. Tom Orr.
RESOLUTION
COMMITTEE
COUNSEL ORR:
Good morning, we have two resolutions thanking the Host and the staff of the 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 publicly thank Mayor and Council, the Boonton
Exempt Firemen’s Association and the Boonton Fire Department as well as any and all
others who have in any way been responsible for the success of the 122nd Annual
Convention in Boonton for the courtesy, hospitality, friendliness and cooperation extended
to the Association.
Be it resolved that this association in
convention assembled does on behalf of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association
express it's appreciation and thanks to the Board of Managers of the New Jersey
Firemen’s Home in Boonton. The Board’s devotion to its quests 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
Managers for the efficient manner in which the Home is operated.
If I may ask for a motion to approve that Kosky
from Hudson and second DeFilippis from Somerset County, all those in favor of say aye, and
no. The ayes have it.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Community Service Award, Frank Gluckler, you have a report on the committee.
COMMUNITY
SERVICE AWARD
MR. GLUCKLER:
The service award committee is a committee that reaches out to each of your local fire
companies. It is intended to reward those who not only work for your local fire
company, but those who reach out further into the fire service and then also reach out
even further, and more importantly, I think, to your community.
Right now, I think everyone of you can
probably think of a person in our own company who deserves such an award.
This year we received six applications and
gave the committee fits to find out which one of the six will win. The five that did
not win will be held over till next year and considered with new applications. I
hope you are all going to send so we will be getting fits again trying to figure out who
is going to win. Thank you.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Frank. Ways and Means
Committee, Chris Assenheimer.
WAYS
AND MEANS AND FLAG
MR. ASSENHEIMER:
Dear President Pawlak,
Congratulations on completing your successful term
as President of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen’s Association. Joe, you
have done a real good job and it has been good to be able to work with you on my
committees.
Sales of Ways & Means merchandise
including last year’s convention are $3,000.00. 2007 Convention sales were
$2,482.00.
A total of 272 dozen flags were sold for
sales of $10,880.00. $185.00 in shipping and handling fees were collected and $278.00 was
colleted in postage. Our postage charges never cover the entire postage cost but are
pretty close. All funds have been turned over to our Association treasurer.
I still have several Fire Department’s
or Communities that have purchased flags via purchase order that are in the payment
process. These flags have been delivered but not paid for yet and are not included
in the ending financial numbers. This is a normal or standard process.
Presently we have 60 dozen flags on hand
and 6 three foot by five foot flags.
I received a quote from Oakwood Uniform and
Equipment Company in Maple Shade, N. J. for flags. The price for each 12” x
18” flag in quantities of 500 dozen are $2.70 each or $32.40 per dozen. Prices
for the new style logo three foot by five foot flags are $41.50 each for a quantity of 50
and $36.00 each for a quantity of 100. In addition, I was asked toget a price on
United States Flags and they would be $.68 each. $8.16 per dozen, in a quantity of 500
dozen. Currently we sell a dozen flags for $40.00 and then add a onetime per order
charge of $5.00 onto that. Postage, if any, is extra.
In addition to this, there will be a delivery
charge for the flags, usually $350. I can’t say how much it will be next year
due to fuel surcharges.. Last year I picked up the flags at a local trucking depot and we
were credited approximately $150 towards our delivery charges. This was a one time
credit that we cannot expect with every order. In addition it puts a lot of wear and
tear and damage on my vehicle.
Our association did not order flags in 2008
so we will need to order flags in 2009. I am requesting that our Executive Board
approve ordering 500 dozen flags in December 2008 so I will have the flags in time for
next year. I am requesting that a deposit of $500 made payable to Oakwood Uniform
Company, be authorized no later than our next Executive Board meeting in October so that
the paperwork can be completed in time to place the order. Our flag order usually
takes approximately three months to produce.
I also think we should order United States
flags, as I do receive a lot of requests for them. My suggestion would be to charge
$15 per dozen, when ordered with our exempt flags, plus any additional shipping charges
that we would incur.
One other item that has been discussed by
Our Executive Board is where are flags are being manufactured. Any flag that has
been purchased from the Oakwood Uniform Company is American made and this upcoming order
will also be made in the United States of America. Pennsylvania to be exact.
As far as the Ways and Means Committee
merchandise, I am in contact with a company through the New Jersey State Fire Chiefs
Association that may be able to stock and sell our merchandise for us so that we would not
have to keep any type of inventory. All orders would go though this company and we
would receive a commission based on what they sell. I don’t have all the
details worked out yet, and when I do, I will be making a presentation to Our Executive
Board for their guidance and advice.
Finally, I would like to thank the Ways
& Means Committee members, co-chairman Robert Cordes, John Schriever and Zeke
Pyatt for their help at today’s convention, and to the New Jersey State
Firemen’s President George Heflich for his very generaous donation to our Association
to purchase packaging and mailing supplies. God Bless America. Thank You
Christopher H. Assenheimer.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Chris.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Web master, JohnLeo Fedorka. Excuse me, we will do a motion first to accept Chris's
report. Bob Kelly motions, Steve Clar seconds. All in favor?
Chorus of ayes
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Opposed? Motion carried. Report of the Webmaster, JohLeo Fedorka.
WEBMASTER
Officer, Life Members, Delegates and Guests; The
Web Site
www.njsefa.org is up and running. There is a
wealth of important information
that is posted there and available to our entire state membership, including
the present officers, the county executive committee contact information, the
convention minutes from the previous year, the local association contacts, our
list of standing committees and much much more. It is very easy to navigate
and the information is available to everyone wherever you are. I ask each one
of you to check the web site (if you are not a computer type guy this is a way
to get some of your younger members involved) and please make sure the
information we have there for your association is correct and accurate.
We have a page on the web site for news and
events. We also have a page
with links to the other state associations. It is a very useful tool for
communication and I hope that you check it regularly. I owe a deep debt of
gratitude to our President Joe Pawlak, who for the past four or so years has
spent countless hours handling the updating of information on a regular
basis.. Joe, thank you.
If you wish to get involved or have any
questions just drop us a line and we will do our best to give you any help you may
need. Respectfully submitted. JohnLeo Fedorka, Past State President,
Webmaster.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, John. We have already done
election of officers, going to to unfinished business, any unfinished? NONE
Getting tongue tied, another cup of coffee
required. New business. Any new business to be conducted. Rich Vander
Berg.
NEW
BUSINESS
MR. VANDER BERG:
Just that Jerry Broadfield asked me to make an announcement pertaining to next year's
Convention.
West Paterson celebrating their 100th
anniversary in conjunction with West Paterson's Exempt Firemen’s Association 85th
anniversary. They are, of course, hosting the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's
Association 123rd Annual Convention, Saturday, July 18, 2009. It will
be followed by an Exempt muster, display of fire trucks at 3-5 Garret Mountain
Plaza, which is the same place that had the wet down in 2002, when they showed off five of
their towns new trucks. Pretty much a lot food, drink and music will be on display
next year. Please plan on attending. Thank you very much.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Rich. We have already done
resolutions. We have already done presentation of the budget. So now we
move to presentation of certifications to new associations.
PRESENTATION
OF CERTIFICATES TO NEW ASSOCIATIONS
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Do we have representatives from Pleasantville, Atlantic County; Hampton, Sussex County;
and Washington Township, Warren County? If you could please step forward at this
time and receive your certificates.
MR. DEFILIPPIS:
Bill MacNulty, the president of Pleasantville has asked me to accept their
certificate. He is unable to attend due to a serious operation. I will give it
to him personally.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you Mr. DeFilippis. Please step forward we will give you the
certificate. Appreciate that. Washington Township. To those of you that
never heard this, I will read this one. “Exempt Firemen's Association this is
to certify the Association of Exempt Firemen of Washington Township member of the New
Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association, duly incorporated by the laws of the State of
New Jersey approved February 25th, 1889 entitled to have and receive all the rights,
privileges and benefits of whatever is provided for an exempt firemen by any laws of this
state now and hereafter existing. Given under the hands of this seal, this 30th date
of August in year 2008.” Signed by myself and Tom Haborak, the secretary.
Congratulations, gentlemen .
Applause
MAN FROM WASHNGTON
TOWNSHIP: The members of Washington Township Fire Department, Fire District 181
want to thank this great organization for having us.
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
You are very welcome. Thank you again, gentlemen. Do you have a representative
from Hampton? I guess we will hold on to this maybe catch up with Charlie Clink
later.
NEW
FUTURE CONVENTION SITES
PRESIDENT PAWLAK: Are
there any motions that need to come forward to accept new sites for the convention.
We already have sites up to 2015 and also 2020 spoken for. Any other motions at this
time? None. Any other new business that needs to be conducted?
None. Announcement of Executive Committeemen and Alternates by Secretary Tom
Haborak, Sr.
ANNOUNCEMENT
OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEMEN & ALTERNATES
MR. HABORAK:
Executive
Committeemen
Atlantic
AVAILABLE
Bergen
Charles Moots
Bergen
Frank Gluckler
Burlington
Donald Cobb
Camden
John Barricelli
Cape
May
Ralph Porch
Cumberland
James Rudd
Essex
H. Lee Baker
Essex
Steve Clar
Gloucester
Glenn Roemmich
Hudson
William Oser
Hudson
Ronald Kosky, Sr.
Hunterdon
AVAILABLE
Mercer
Robert O. Wiles
Middlesex
Charles Byrne
Middlesex
Garrick Miller
Monmouth
Thomas Gagen
Monmouth
Robert Kelly
Morris
Frank Wheatley
Ocean
Gregory Kennedy
Passaic
Jerry Broadfield
Salem
Daniel Ford
Somerset
David Murphy
Sussex
Charles Clink
Union
George Waseleski
Warren Ted
Vegh
Alternate
Executive Committeemen
Atlantic
AVAILABLE
Bergen
Frank Jaegge
Bergen
Greg Kopec
Burlington
James Hensley
Camden
AVAILABLE
Cape
May
Robert Sweeten
Cumberland
Barry Gruccio
Essex
AVAILABLE
Essex
AVAILABLE
Gloucester
Joan Lutz
Hudson
George Paczkowski
Hudson
George Kieck
Hunterdon
William Crampton
Mercer
John L. Newbon, Sr.
Middlesex
Nick Lombardi
Middlesex
Paul Snyder
Monmouth
Anthony Salerno
Monmouth
AVAILABLE
Morris
Gerald Sheard
Ocean
Elected at a later time
Passaic
Scott Koreman
Salem
AVAILABLE
Somerset
AVAILABLE
Sussex
Daniel Scheuer
Union
Mark Mecca
Warren Richard
Hay
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Tom. I think one of the things you
noticed on that list is there are availability of several positions. We need folks
to step forward to fill those positions, especially the Alternates. The
Alternates are the grooming for the executive committee position. It's a very
important position. Plus, those positions are needed to conduct the business
of this organization. If you know anyone that is even remotely interested in
these positions please introduce them to our new officers and things can get
worked out so that we can get a full compliment of Executive Committeemen
and Alternates for this organization. Thank you. Presentation of Honorary
Executive Committeemen resolutions and badges.
PRESENTATION
OF HONORARY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEMEN RESOLUTIONS & BADGES
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Don Brown from Ocean and Harry Lee Hawn from Salem to step forward, please. Don, we will
take you first.
“WHEREAS, Don Brown entered into the
fire service with the Perth Amboy Fire Department in Middlesex County in 1962 and served
as Lieutenant there;
WHEREAS, Mr. Brown presently serves as
the Secretary for the Toms River Fire Department, and has also served as Secretary for the
Toms River Exempt Firemen’s Association since 2000;
WHEREAS, Mr. Brown was employed in various
military base fire departments dating from 1963 until his retirement as Chief Officer with
the McGuire Air Force Base in 1994;
WHEREAS, Mr. Brown served as Secretary,
Treasurer and President over a period of twelve years for the IAFF 106;
WHEREAS, Mr. Brown has served as Executive
Committeeman to the NJSEFA since 2000 and has just been elected second Vice President;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the New
Jersey State Exempt Firemen’s Association that an honorary executive committeeman
status is awarded with thanks to Donald Brown.” Don, congratulations. .
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Harry.
“WHEREAS, Harry Lee Hawn entered
into the Fire Service with the Carney’s Point Fire Department and Rescue Squad of
Carney’s Point , Salem County in July 1977 and is a firefighter and member of the
fire police;
WHEREAS. Mr. Hawn presently serves as the
President for the Carney’s Point Fire Department and has been a member of the
Executive Committee for the past seven years;
WHEREAS, Mr. Hawn presently serves as the
Exempt Association Treasurer;
WHEREAS, Mr. Hawn has held various
departmental and related offices having risen through the ranks from First Assistant
Engineer to Second Assistant Chief, and received honors and awards such as President
Emeritus and VFW Rescue Person of the Year;
NOW BE IT RESOLVED by the New Jersey
State Exempt Association that an honorary executive committeeman status is awarded with
thanks to Harry Lee Hawn.” Harry, congratulations.
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
It has been a pleasure serving with both of you gentlemen on the Executive Committee.
Thank you. Now for the future convention sites.
FUTURE
CONVENTION SITES
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
As mentioned previously:
2009 West Paterson;
2010 Wanaque;
2011 Milltown;
2012 Florence;
2013 Boundbrook;
2014 Phillipsburg;
2015 Whippany;
2016 through 2021 is open, we are accepting
applications;
2022 Woodbridge. Lenny Minkler wants to be grand
marshall.
Installation of officers, president, past
president C. Kenneth Anderson, I'm sorry, I should get it right pretty soon, Ken.
MR. ANDERSON:
You had all day to practice.
Laughter
INSTALLATION
OF OFFICERS
PAST PRESIDENT
ANDERSON: It's my pleasure to be asked to install the officers and I'm very happy to
be able to do that.
I will ask that the officers elect will
form a line here on my right and down, the President-Elect Mr. Egbert, First Vice
President- elect, Robert Meyers, Junior; Second Vice President elect Donald Brown,
Secretary Tom Haborak, Sr., Treasurer Ed McMahon Jr. and Statistician J. Hobart
Wainwright.
You have indicated your willingness to
be a candidate for office, members of the convention have elected you and you are familiar
with the duties of your office as set forth in the constitution and bylaws.
Do you accept the office to which you have
been elected?
All in unision –
I do.
PAST PRESIDENT
ANDERSON: Each of you raise your right hand and repeat after me, I and
(state your name), do solemnly swear to support the constitution and bylaws and at all
times bear true allegiance to the goals and purposes of the New Jersey State Exempt
Firemen's men's association and to perform the duties and responsibilities of my office to
the best my ability and at the end of my term of office I will deliver to my successor all
records of said office so help me God.
Now, I call upon a member of our Lay
Chaplains Committee Past President Archie Roemmich for the prayer for the installation.
MR. ROEMMICH:
Officers installation prayer. Let us bow our heads, Dear Heavenly Father, Almighty
God, once again we ask you to give wisdom, strength and endurance to the officers of the
New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association as they seek to fulfill their
responsibilities of leadership, grant them your guidance as they give of themselves to
serve in this association.
Even as they have faithfully served in the
past, may they now be given your help so that through them the purpose of the association
may continue to be accomplished for these who have served now and retired from their
positions. We give you special thanks and your blessings upon them.
This we ask in our Savior's name, the Lord
Jesus Christ, amen.
MR. ANDERSON:
As installing officer, I declare that you are duly and regularly installed into the office
of which you have been elected.
Mr. President, your badge, and
congratulations; Mr. First Vice President, congratulations your badge; Mr. Second Vice
President, congratulations and your badge; Mr. Secretary, congratulations; Mr. Treasurer,
congratulations, Hobie congratulations.
STATISTICIAN
WAINWRIGHT: Thank you very much, appreciate it.
MR. ANDERSON:
We here in this State Exempts are a unit of the fire service. To earn exemption
everyone must have had service as an active firefighter in fire suppression.
Many of us wear several hats and have been chiefs
or in code enforcement, training, or fire prevention or several of those things.
Last year, Byram Township Exempt Firemen's
Association joined this organization, received their membership certificate. They
are here. And during the year they hosted the Executive Committee meeting.
Bill Egbert, mentioned at the beginning of
that meeting that when I came in today I met the chief, and I said I think I have met you
someplace before, and in comparing notes they had met each other on a New Jersey weekend
at the National Fire Academy.
Bill coming into office as president had
asked Frank Bocchino to conduct the installation, Frank is having some eyesight problems,
doesn't travel as much, and rather than embarrass the officers and/or himself he said he
would prefer not to do that. And Bill asked me to perform the installation.
And I was thinking back, at least the first
time I remember meeting you, Bill, was at a New Jersey weekend. And I'm not really
sure of the year but I think it was when the classroom building was being rebuilt and we
were in the trailers out in the quadrangle.
And to tie all those things together we
invited as the speaker, the superintendent of the National Fire Academy, Dr. Dennis
O'Nieal. And he reminded us in his comments that we don't know how we really
interact with other people and how we affect them and maybe they even affect us.
So it is a small world and we are all glad
to be part of the fire service and part of it.
And so, Mr. President, I present you with this
stick which you can use as the gavel, the emblem of your office. May your term of
office be one of progress and prosperity for this Association. Congratulations to
all the officers.
Applause
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
I would like to thank the delegates and life members of this great organization for
electing me to serve as president for next year. I would also thank my wife and
family and the members of the Roxbury Fire Department who provided support and guidance to
me. They are an interesting group.
In my younger years I was accused of not
being too talkative. As I have aged in the fire service, I think I have become a
little more talkative, especially about firematics, exempt fire organization, et
cetera. So my fire department and my family and my wife are very good listeners.
Joe and I have vented to each other over
the last two years, four years. My wife, my family members of Roxbury allow me the
gracious opportunity to vent to them. Whenever I start talking, I sort of get the
feeling in looking at them, they kind of sit down, because they know they are in for some
discussion, they might not be as interested as I am, but they give me the opportunity of
listening to me.
I think that's kind of important to us in
the fire service, that we listen. Doctor O'Nieal talked about things in the future,
and we have to listen. We have to listen to all of our generation, because together
we can make progress. So I thank those individuals.
You have also elected a fine slate of
officers and the local associations have provided us with a group of Executive
Committeemen that are committed to serving the New Jersey Exempt Firemen's Associations.
Working as a team we hope to continue
and expand the programs of the association. We ask for your support as we perform
the duties of our various positions and encourage the local associations to call upon us
if you need assistance. We look forward to attending local association meetings
activities and events.
I pledge to you that I will work hard to
achieve the purposes of our association. One of which is, and I quote,
“support, care and provide for deceased injured firefighters, their families and
friends and to conduct Memorial Services for those firefighters who have answered their
final alarm."
I ask you to return to your local
communities and reach out to one of the seasoned members of your fire department or their
families or their friends and thank them for their service and offer assistance to them.
Let us not forget our seasoned veterans.
At this time, I'd like Joe Pawlak to
come forward.
Joe I would like to add my congratulations
to you, it has been truly enjoyable experience. You have shown me great leadership
abilities and skills and I hope I have learned from you, I hope I have listened to some of
the things you've said to me. I just thank you.
And on behalf of the New Jersey State
Exempt Firemen's Association I would like to present you with this plaque which is
“Presented to Joseph Pawlak for outstanding and dedicated services as President
of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association 2006, 2007, presented August 30, 2008
at 122nd Annual Convention in Boonton.” Thank you.”
Applause
PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you very much.
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
That concludes my remarks, First Vice President.
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
MYERS: I'd like to also congratulation past President Pawlak, first time
he’s been called that. He has put forth a two year effort to bring this
organization up and we have with each past president moved forward.
I hope that this continues to go
forward. I'd like to see more organizations come in and of course bring the people
who have turned their seven years and are still fighting fire every day. I'd like to
see them start to join this organization. It would help us immensely.
I thank you for your kindness and hope
that I can do this job properly. I will do my best, but the people who can have come
before me, and the president, I'm sure they will teach me the right ways to work out here,
and do thank you again.
Applause
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
Thank you, Bob.
And, Joe, if you could come up again, I neglected
---- my first mess up.
Laughter
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
I'd like to present you with your past president's badge. Joe.
PAST PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
Thank you, Bill, I appreciate that.
Applause
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
Remarks from our new Second Vice President. Don, you can use that mike or this one.
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
BROWN: I'd like to thank everybody that elected me today and also I have a big pair of
shoes to fill. Thank you.
Applause
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
Thank you, Don. I’d like to welcome aboard our Secretary.
SECRETARY HABORAK:
I just would like to thank everyone from for my 19th year.
I'm looking at Carl Christensen and I
remember in 1990 when he said to me “You ought to run for this job and take it in
1990.” And I figured well, I will do it for two years. And this is my
19th year and I have to thank Carl and Tommy Brennan and Joe Dambach and Eddie Kennedy who
talked me into doing this, and my good friend Joe Pawlak. It was truly an enjoyable
time to serve with you.
.
Applause
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
Thank you, Tom.
New treasurer, or re-elected treasurer Ed McMahon.
MR. McMAHON: I
would just like to thank everybody for continued support in my job and I really enjoy
doing it. And I do want to take a moment and thank, Joe, because yesterday he was
talking about when he was down somebody helped him up, but if I was down, Joe called me he
helped me up and get me focused and I appreciate that and I think he's done a wonderful
job. I look forward to working with Bill even though I still want to congratulate
Joe.
I also want to thank my bride without her
support and help I wouldn't be able to devote the time that's needed for this
position. And I thank you.
Applause
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
Thank you, Ed. Statistician Hobe Wainwright.
STATISTICIAN
WAINWRIGHT: I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Joe for his dedication
for his service and not only dedication, but rap the hammer to get us involved.
And with that Joe leaves a tremendous
legacy that Mr. Egbert is going to have to follow. And one of those things is
another trip to the Firemen's Home cellar, the keeper of some of our history as an
association. And we have some former journals that were being made available for the
future.
There were a lot of things that when I came
into office seemed like there was nothing. Unfortunately, Mr. Dinkelspiel passed
away, but what was funny this past spring on the visit that I wasn't there took but Joe
and Bill were, they come to the officers meeting with, like, about ten big boxes of ten
reams of paper. Little did I know I was going to get five of them.
And I told the fellows I will take them
home, I will leave them in my garage, might have will not allow them to come into me
house. And they won't go either to me bedroom, office and TV room that I finally had
to clean up for my grandchildren to come visit on this weekend.
So these are some of the things we
have gone through as officers. I'm very thankful for what Joe has led in his
leadership, how Bill has come along others and Bob has come and down we have done, to
harasses as officers.
But we enjoy serving this great
associations and I guess probably one of my, shall I say, statements for you folks I know
there are some former officers, former executive committeemen in this association for you
others to get involved in our organization. We are as strong as we are united
together.
Unfortunately we are not the New Jersey
State Firemen's Association where there is some money available for responsibilities, but
we as an organization are looking to serve the firefighters, some 80,000 in the State of
New Jersey. And you heard me talk earlier about looking for people to be journal
solicitors. You can get 32 percent of the total collection to be a solicitor.
And that's what we are looking for, as our good treasurer, the keeper of the checkbook for
the association.
We have come a long ways in the last
three years as an organization financially. And I'm still concerned as we move
on. It seems like in America I'm a grandfather and with it I know my children and
then my grandchildren work, and your children and grandchildren are all confronted with
the same thing, and that is that husband and wife both have to work. What happens
with that? It makes it hard for the fire service volunteers. So we try to
encourage everybody to be a recruiter in your fire company. And that's hard to try
to convince when they find out that you have to go to fire school or if they are EMS they
are to be to another school, or if they are doing firepolice in the fire service that's
another school. Or become officers, that's another school. I have four minutes
to 12, I said enough, thank you for coming looking forward to next year.
Applause
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
Thank you, Hobie. Hobie has no problem talking.
Laughter
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
I was just talking with Bob here, I say we are going to get him and then maybe Kenny
Anderson, some sort of a – maybe we will find a modern probe or something.
Their comments are always very meaningful and in the interest of the association.
Do we have any good and welfare to come
before the convention?
GOOD
& WELFARE
MR. BOYD: Larry
Boyd from Lakewood, Ocean County. A couple of web sites were mentioned here
today. I wonder if those fellows could stick around because there's no way write all
of them down. I would like to suggest the web master of our page, of our association
page put links to those so it's easy to get to them.
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
We will do that. The web master is on board with them. Any other good and
welfare comments? If not, I’d like to move to the introduction of past
presidents any remarks they may have.
INTRODUCTION
OF PAST PRESIDENTS
MR. ANDERSON:
After what you say, I'm certainly glad to be here I have had many other opportunities to
speak today, thank you for calling on me.
Applause
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
Carl Christensen.
MR. CHRISTENSEN:
Good to be here.
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
Bill Doherty.
MR. DOHERTY: Good
to be here and congratulations.
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
Richard Vander Berg.
MR. VANDER BERG:
Bring your fire trucks to West Paterson muster next year. Pleasure to be here.
Thank you.
Applause
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
JohnLeo Fedorka.
MR. FEDORKA: Good
to be here. Congratulations to the new officers, good luck and I'm looking forward to
working with you.
MR. ROEMMICH:
Thank you, and glad to have Joe come into our past presidents’ association for the
New Jersey State Exempt Association. Good luck Joe, on your journey.
Applause
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
And the immediate past president, Joe Pawlak.
PAST PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
I can truly say I know how Archie felt two years ago.
Brother and sister firefighters, thank you
for giving me the opportunity and the honor to serve this great organization. It has
indeed been a most challenging six years up through the three presidents positions. I have
made many new friends. Hopefully, I have not made too many enemies.
I traveled throughout the state attending
meetings, dinners, conventions funerals and various other functions on behalf of this
association.
There have been happy times when we
laughed heartily together and sad times when we cried together. There have also been times
when we have gone head to head on an issue or two and the volume of our conversation
became elevated and our actions quite animated. However, when all said and done, the
good of the organization prevailed and was well served.
I have had the support in the past as
well as the current officers, pursuing what I felt was right and beneficial for the
organization. I ask that you give the incoming president and officers the support
and encouragement that I received. Much was accomplished but there is still much to
do.
The only regret that I have is that I
was not able to devote more time to performing my duties as I still have to work for a
living.
A very sincere thank you goes out to my
fellow officers, executive committeemen and local associations for all the support and
assistance that I have received. I would be remiss if I did not thank families of
all of the individuals that I just mentioned for the sacrifices that they endured
throughout the years, including my late night telephone calls.
In addition, I thank the officers and
Executive Committeeman and office staff of the N. J. State Firemen's Association, and the
Superintendent and Board of Managers of the Firemen's Home, for their assistance and
cooperation. Thank you also goes out to Carl Christensen for recruiting me also to
serve this association.
Most of all I owe a great deal of gratitude
to a special person who has supported me throughout this and other endeavors in my life
and without whom I probably would have not been able to achieve some of the things that I
have accomplished. She also acted as my caterer for our officers’ meetings and
kept Lenny supplied with homemade potato salad. Please join me in a round of
applause for that special person and my life’s partner Nancy Wilson.
Nancy, I need you to come up.
Applause
PAST PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
(Reads inscription on gift) “Presented to Nancy Wilson in sincere
appreciation for your dedication and unwavering support which proved invaluable during my
six years serving as officers in the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association, Joe
Pawlak, President 2008.
Applause
PAST PRESIDENT PAWLAK:
In closing, I'd like to remind you that when elect your local officers, especially your
secretary, elect a person who will embrace the job, who wants to job and can do the job.
He or she is the crucial link in the communication line between the local
association and the state office. Popularity is nice, but productivity and
efficiency better serves our organization.
Enjoy the rest of the convention
festivities as well as the parade and carnival. Buy plenty of raffle tickets.
Remember you have to be in it, to win it. Thank you very much.
Applause
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
Now for our closing prayer. Gerry Sheard.
MR. SHEARD:
Please rise. Dear Heavenly Father, ruler of heaven and earth we pray that you
will grant us mercies as we travel back to our communities. Keep us alert as we
travel on the highways.
We thank you for the time we have been able
to stand together, and how we felt your presence during our convention.
Once again, we thank you for all you have
done and what you are about to do. Watch over us, our families and our fellow
firefighters who cannot be with us today because of sickness, and especially those who are
serving with our armed forces in harm's weighing around the world.
This we ask in our Savior's name, the
Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
PRESIDENT EGBERT:
Just a reminder, the parade starts at one thirty and the reviewing stand is in front of
the Boonton Municipal Building in plain sight. Any other business to come before the
convention? I thank you for making it a productive convention. Have a safe
trip home. Motion for adjournment is in order. Bob Kelly and many
seconds. Get your raffle tickets. All in favor?
Chorus of ayes
PRESIDENT EGBERT: Opposed? Motion
Carried. The convention is adjourned.
Thank you.
(Proceedings concluded at
twelve in the afternoon.)
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