Eastern Carolina Firefighters Association
General Meeting Minutes, October 10, 2013
The Eastern Carolina Firefighters Association held the quarterly meeting at the New Hanover County Government Center on Thursday, October 10, 2013
President Overman called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with invocation by Tracy Mosley.
New Hanover County Fire Rescue Chief Donnie Hall and assistant county manager Tim Burgess welcomed everyone to the meeting and the meal was served.
President Overman introduced the Board of Directors.
Minutes: The minutes of the July 2013 general business meeting were read. Motion by Leland VFD (Brunswick Co), seconded by Emerald Isle FD (Carteret Co) Approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Scott Rogers gave the Treasurer’s report. Motion by New Hanover County FR (New Hanover Co) seconded byColington FD (Dare Co). Approved.
Committee / Agency Updates:
NCSFA. Assistant Director Ed Brinson highlighted several important dates and issues facing the state association. Mentioned were: Relief Fund financial documents are due October 31st; Report of fire conditions reports are due then as well; There has been a $9,500 increase in scholarships in all three regions. The NCSFA board is also trying to establish educational grants. $10,000 has been earmarked; There are changes to the annual certification of firefighters report. It is all done online now. Rosters, renewals and add/delete are all paperless. Electronic certification of firefighters period is December 1 through January 15 to be eligible for Pension Fund service for 2013. Checks may still be mailed into the office, but all other roster action must be online; The NCSFA board is planning a summit at the Mid Winter Chiefs meeting to evaluate the existing NCSFA programs, legislative challenges and how to better communicate to our members.
NCAFC. Tracy Mosley noted that annual membership drive closed September 30th. More members are needed from departments in the East; Online membership registration and payment will begin January 2014; Mid-winter conference is in Concord February 5 – 9 with several pre-conference training opportunities including ISO updates; dates were given for future training classes; The NCAFC webpage is having technical issues but will be back in service soon; Working on getting a seat on the NC State Emergency Response Commission. The NCAFC seat was replaced with a non-emergency response agency; The online store is being updated and items added
OSFM. Renee Harrisannounced that smoke alarm canvassing grants are available and will be ongoing. Info on the OSFM website; There was FEMA funding for the Remembering When program which is a fire and fall prevention program for older adults; There will be Child Passenger Seat trainings in the East at Williamston, Kinston, Lumberton and Jacksonville and participating in these types of classes counts towards new ISO standards; There will be several fire safety shows at the NC State Fair in October. Several shows will be by Elizabeth City and Greenville FDs; Annual Fire and Life Safety Educator conference will be in Concord February 5 – 7.
NC Community Colleges. Chris Raynor gave updates from the community colleges. The eastern coordinator has still not been filled, but hopeful to do so soon; There will be a statewide Fire / Rescue Director / Coordinators conference in Wilson in November; There is increased report availability of class record updates. Class info now transfers quicker.
Christine Bender gave an update on MDA collections and fundraising. New Hanover County FR was recognized for outstanding MDA collections and support.
The evening’s program was from Wade Farrior of Atlantic Emergency Solutions / Pierce with an overview of the products, apparatus and service available from AES.
Bradley Kinlaw thanked and recognized our meal sponsor, Atlantic Emergency Solutions and the other vendors present.
Roll call found 49 members in attendance from 14 counties.
Thanks to Chief Hall and New Hanover County Fire Rescue for the hospitality.
The next meeting will be Thursday, January 9, 2014 at a place to be determined.
Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Glenn Rainey, Secretary