Juanuary 2006 Meeting of the Alpha Fire Company

Minutes of the monthly meeting of the Alpha Fire Company held on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 in the Meeting Room at Station 5.

1. Order and Roll Call

Call to Order

President B. Bittner called the meeting to order at 1930 hours.

Pledge of Allegiance

The membership recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Reading of Obituaries and Moment of Silence

Obituaries were read for the late Probationary Firefighter William E. Marciniak, and the late Life Member Frank R. Houser.

Roll call

Secretary G. Cornish called roll. Roll Call indicated 61 active members and 2 associate members present.

Announcement of Response Crews.

President B. Bittner read the response assignments for the meeting. Assignments will be on file with this document in hard copy.

  1. Approval of Minutes of the Last Meeting

Chris Prestiamade a motion to approve the last meeting’s minutes. K. Yocumseconded. The motion passed.

3.Financial Business

A.Report of the Financial Secretary

Financial Secretary R. Digginspresented his report. It is attached at the end of this document in hard copy.

  1. Report of the Treasurer

Treasurer N. Corl presented his report. It is also attached at the end of this document in hard copy.

A motion to accept the reportswas made by R. Harris and seconded by E. Persic. The motion passed.

4. Reports of the Trustees

A.R. Clouser

No report.

  1. J. Ross

No report.

C.A. Prestia

No Report.

5.Unfinished Business

None.

6.Written Communications

Secretary Cornish brought the following items before the membership:

  • A thank-you note with photos, regarding the annual Christmas Eve Santa Run, from the Nodell Family.
  • A thank-you note with a donation and photos from the Garrigan family, 2998 Fairchild Lane, State College, PA16801, in response to the annual Christmas Eve Santa Run.
  • A thank-you note regarding the annual Christmas Eve Santa Run, from the Tripp Family.
  • A thank-you note with a donation from State of the Art, Inc., 2470 Fox Hill Road, State College, PA16803 (Diane M. Kerly, Vice President, Administrative Services).
  • A thank-you note with a donation from Daniel and Pamela Heist, 1416 Ridge Master Drive, State College, PA16803.
  • A donation from Joseph and Lisa Broniszewski, 1256 Chestnut Ridge Drive, State College, PA16803.
  • A thank-you note from the Poorman, DeArmitt and Billett families for flowers & support after the passing of Benny’s sister.
  • Holiday / Christmas cards from the following local businesses and agencies:
  • University Police
  • The Logan Fire Company
  • Berrena’s Mechanical Services
  • Pallone Insurance
  1. Oral Communications

Jack Zook mentioned that Norm Fisher gave the Company a replica of a turn-of-the century fire engine. This will be displayed in the station. G. Cornish will write a thank-you letter to him at 1015 W. College Ave., State College, PA16801.

  1. Action on Resignations, Appeals and Requests for Life or Alumni Membership

None.

  1. Propositions for Membership

Applications were read for Adam Chesser and John Stephansky, Jr. These applications will be passed on to the Investigation Commitee.

10.Balloting for Candidates

B. Flubacher was voted on for full membership. Ballots were cast, and N. Bickerstaff, M. Vanadia and B. Andes served as tellers. B. Flubacher was elected into full membership.

11.Reports

  1. Committees

1. Executive Committee: Carmine Prestia shared the following:

  • There will be a meeting on Thursday with Jim Steff to discuss the 2006 budget, as well as items such as the Fire Director / Administrator’s job description.
  • COG will be holding a Public Services meeting next Monday. The Fire Company is on the agenda.
  1. Social Committee: J. Wirtz mentioned the following items:
  • The banquet details have been finalized. Hotel rooms will be available at $89 each.
  • S. Kauffman made a motion that beer be purchased at the Annual Banquet in the same manner as last year. W. DeArmitt seconded. The motion passed.
  • G. Cornish will write another thank-you note to Wegmans for tremendous assistance at short notice. Wegmans also donated candy canes.

B. Chief: S. Clouser

Chief S. Clouser (500) reported the following:

  • The Chief thanked all members for a productive and prosperous new year. He also mentioned that the Company will focus on anticipating and adapting to the future in 2006.
  • Captain A. Prestia congratulated B. Flubacher, J. Troup, M. Vanadia, J. Bickerstaff, M. Breen, Jeff Jumper, B. Sampsel and J. Barney for completing Truck PERT.

C. 1st Assistant Chief: S. Tiebold

Assistant Chief S. Triebold (501) reported that the Company will be using the Mid-Rise structure at the FireAcademy this year. A date for the struture burn session will be posted soon. An additional training opportunity at the Southridge Motor Inn will probably be planned for later this winter, before it is torn down. Details will be posted soon.

D. 2nd Assistant Chief: J. Brown

Assistant Chief J. Brown (502) encouraged all members (not just fire police) to attend a Fire Police Communications class. This will be held on Feb. 4th and 5th.

E. 3rd Assistant Chief: R. Schreiner

Assistant Chief R. Schreiner (503) reported the following:

  • Engine 510 has arrived. It will be placed in service after more drivers are certified.
  • Pump testing was completed at the station.

F. 4th Assistant Chief: Chris Presita

Assistant Chief Chris Prestia (504)had no report.

G. Safety Officer: M. Klein

Safety Officer M. Klein(540)reported the following:

  • SCBA tests were completed, as well as numerous other preventative maintenance activities yesterday.
  • M. Klein thanked the members for following his leadership as Safety Officer over the past four years. He announced that he will not be running for re-election, but he will continue to be a driver/operator.

H. Assistant Safety Officer: K. Yocum

Assistant Safety Officer K. Yocum (541)reported the following:

  • New pagers are ready for those who have yet to receive them.
  • Those who have yet to return the recalled chargers should do so soon.
  • Globe announced that they planned to ship new gear to the station today.

I. Fire Police Captain: B. Donald

Fire Police Captain B. Donald (570) reported the following:

  • New officers were announced.
  • The Fire Police Unit (536) is out of service until later this week for some cosmetic repairs. In the interim, the old command unit will be used by the fire police.

J. Other Captains

Quartermaster R. Diggins reported that members should work to keep gear clean, especially after the recent mulch, vehicle and garage fires. Additionally, younger members can turn their Minitor II pagers in and receive Minitor IV or V pagers, depending on availability.

K. Interim Fire Administrator: P. Marshall

Interim Fire Administrator P. Marshallwas not present.

L. Ambulance Club Representative

Carmine Prestia had nothing to report.

M. Relief Association Representative

T. Ellis and N. Corl worked to coordinate the Company’s response to the passing of W. Marciniak. A number of firefighters attended the Marciniak Funeral. Additionally, business related to death benefits has been taken care of, and the Marciniak Family will receive the appropriate finances.

R. Harris then gave a brief financial / insurance update, with new interest information.

  1. New Business
  • Officer Elections
  • M. Vanadia, N. Bickerstaff and B. Andes served as tellers.
  • Carmine Prestia made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot to re-elect Stan Clouser as Chief 500. J. Martin seconded. The motion passed.
  • A. Prestia made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot to re-elect S. Triebold as Assistant Chief 501. L. Griel seconded. The motion passed.
  • E. Persic made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot to elect K. Yocum as Safety Officer 540. J. Wirtz seconded. The motion passed.
  • K. Yocum made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot to elect T. Ellis as Assistant Safety Officer 541. M. Waite seconded. The motion passed.
  • E. Persic made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot to re-elect B. Bittner as President. R. Kurzinger seconded. The motion passed.
  • W. DeArmitt made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot to re-elect B. Smith as Vice President. T. Ellis seconded. The motion passed.
  • R. Harris made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot to elect L. Griel as Secretary. M. Breen seconded. The motion passed.
  • N. Bickerstaff made a motion to cast a unanimous ballot to re-elect R. Diggins as Financial Secretary. J. Brown seconded. The motion passed.

Elected Line Officers -- 2006

Chief 500 / S. Clouser
Assistant Chief 501 / S. Triebold
Assistant Chief 502 / J. Brown
Assistant Chief 503 / R. Schreiner
Assistant Chief 504 / W. DeArmitt
Safety Officer 540 / K. Yocum
Assistant Safety Officer 541 / T. Ellis

Elected Administrative Officers – 2006

President / B. Bittner
Vice President / B. Smith
Secretary / L. Griel
Treasurer / N. Corl
Financial Secretary / R. Diggins
Trustee (one opening) / S. Kauffman
  1. Good of the Company
  • J. Wirtz reported that Donnie Watkins continues to recover well. He hopes to attend the banquet in April.
  • R. Fitzgerald has a list of the eight names of women who presented the quilt to the Fire Company. He feels that the Company should permanently recognize the eight women who made the quilt – perhaps by posting their names in the Station, along with the quilt. Members with ideas on where or how to post the quilt and names should report to G. Cornish or K. Yocum before next meeting, next Tuesday.
  • B. Smith mentioned that Tony Berrena’s wife will work on renovating our photoboard.
  • Chief Clouser thanked all of the 2005 officers, and would like to speak with the 2006 officers after the meeting.
  • Andrew Prestia mentioned that Quaker Steak and Lube will offer a discount to all emergency service personnel, on a weekly basis, once the establishment opens for business.
  • G. Cornish made a motion that the Company pay the $20 membership dues to the Fireman’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania. N. Bickerstaff seconded. The motion passed.
  • K. Yocum was selected as the recipient of the December bunk-room drawing.
  • President B. Bittner thanked all 2005 officers for their support and service to the Company.
  1. Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by B. Kurzinger, seconded by K. Yocum. The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 2100 hours.

Respectfully submitted by Geoff Cornish, former Secretary