951st Meeting held April 9, 2009
Delaware City Fire Company, Station 15
President Lynn Truitt called the meeting to order at 1815.
Past President Jasper Lakey gave the invocation after leading the Pledge of Allegiance.
President Wally Poppe welcomed all to the meeting.
The meeting recessed at 1818 for dinner and reconvened at 1900. A vote of thanks was given to the Delaware City Ladies Auxiliary for the delicious meal.
Special Presentations:
General Wiley from the Delaware National Guard and Paulette Mason from the Employer Support of the Guard Reserve asked the volunteer fire service to sign a letter
of support for the Guard. President Truitt signed for the County Association and asked for each Fire Company to do the same. They further thanked us for our efforts.
Brian Burge gave a presentation about the support network called Emily’s Heart in honor of his daughter and in memory of her mother Michelle.
Recessed for Chiefs to go to their meeting.
The state checks were given to a representative from each Company, after being signed for, by Deputy Treasurer Nick Adams and Barb Bennett. The envelope contains the checks from the state and for the ambulance, too.
Recognition of Deceased Members: there was one, Ray Robinson, Jr. of Stations 7, 8, 9 & 10. Prayer for the deceased was given by Reverend Wilms.
Roll Call of Member Companies by Secretary Watson. Signature logbook indicated 106 in attendance. Roll Call of NCCVFA showed all Officers present except Trustee Clark.
Recognition of Past Presidents:
New Castle County Volunteer Firemen's Association: 12
Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association: 11
Current New Castle County Presidents: 11
MOTION made by Jim Barlow (28,32) to accept the March 2009 meeting minutes in printed form. SECONDED by Tim Ingram (28, 32). <CARRIED by acclamation>
Treasurer’s Report given by Treasurer Smith. MOTION made by Jim Barlow (28,32) to accept the March 2009 Treasurer’s report. SECONDED by Jasper Lakey (15). <CARRIED by acclamation>
President’s Report:
President Truitt reported that the Excursion is for sale. She is accepting sealed bids by 5/1 via e-mail or fax. Notices were faxed to all Fire Companies by Fireboard.
She would like to know if the Association would like to sell the R & R trailer. At present it is simply storage for supplies. The insurance costs $200/year.
She wants agenda items for the President/Chief meetings by one week before the meeting. The budget process will need to be moved up 4 months. The nominations and elections will need to be moved up. Payment of bills will be an issue. The July 9th meeting is a combination meeting and will be a problem because the Chiefs will be meeting and it was to be a President/Chief meeting that night.
President Truitt would like all people speaking on the floor to use the microphone, state their name and Company then speak. She would also like the same procedure for roll call voting-stand, state name and Company.
She has developed a new Health & Safety Committee with VP Sutton as Chairman. She also has a Rescue Billing committee and both committees are looking for members. See Keith Bowman for the latter committee.
She mentioned a letter from Chief Patrick looking for funds from the County.
The 5K was very successful. The final count is not complete yet but will be between $2000-3000 for the Emily Burge Trust Fund. There are left over shirts for sale for $7, sizes M-L-XL.
1st Vice President Richard Perillo and 2nd Vice President Bob Sutton’s reports are in printed form to the Secretary.
Committee Reports called for by 1st Vice President Richard Perillo:
Constitution & By Laws, Jim Barlow reported their will be a meeting on 5/11 at 6 pm at Station 28.
Firefighter Day at the Blue Rocks, Tom Mitten reports that it will be Saturday 6/20. The game is 6:05 pm. Fliers have been given out and are also on the front table. There will be similar events to last year before and during the game. Please let him know if you would like to have the catered food again, so far they are not committed. The tickets can be purchased through group sales. $2 from each ticket will go to the Firefighters Relief Fund. There will also be displays available.
Fire Prevention Education, Debbie Watson reported for Joe Mullen that there will be a meeting on 4/26 at 1 pm at Station 21. Currently Charlie Johnston has a list of all Fire Prevention Officers for each Company, please be sure he has the correct data.
Special Operations Team Funding, Wally Poppe reported that all team leaders met on 3/24. They discussed the budget cuts and updated their balances. They will be forwarding reports to the County. He almost has completed the end of year report and plans to have it by the May meeting.
5K run/walk Committee, Tom Mitten reports that it was successful. Thanked all who helped and said it will be held the same weekend next year.
Association Reports called for by 2nd Vice President Bob Sutton.:
DVFA, President Warren Jones thanked all those that attended the CFSI dinner.
He announced that DVFA was awarded a Safer grant.
On Sunday 5/3 at 9 am there will be a Recruitment & Retention meeting at Cheswold. Please be sure that at least one representative per Company attends so that they can coordinate efforts statewide.
The revolving loan committee met and information has been faxed out to each Company.
DEMSOC meeting received a report from Dr Tinkoff that the mortality rate has dropped from 43% in 1998 to 20.8%. This is a huge system improvement and it all starts with BLS. Be proud of your accomplishments.
New Castle County Ladies Auxiliary, President Jackie Guzzo thanked the Association for allowing them to attend the meetings and be involved.
Delaware Valley Fire Chiefs, Mike Rush brought greetings from President Fleagel. He and past President Fran Cahoon handed out Life Member cards to the following person or a representative from their Company: Willard Whiteman and Barry Newstadt (13), Herb Netsch (15), Dwain Haines and Clarence Schwatka (26) and Eugene Emmell (20). Their next meeting is next Thursday in Centerton, NJ.
Agency Reports called for by 2nd Vice President Bob Sutton:
None
COMMUNICATIONS, Secretary Debbie Watson read letters from the following:
A thank you letter from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation for the purchase of the brick in memory of Michelle L. Smith.
A letter from DelDot in regards to the safety video.
A letter which was cc’d to President Truitt that went to John Sheridan, the City Solicitor from Chief Willie Patrick in regards to the feasibility of getting funds from New Castle County such as the volunteer fire service receives.
An announcement of the Blue Mass for Firefighters/Police/EMS to be held on Thursday 5/7 at St John the Beloved at 11 am.
Payment of Bills read by Treasurer Smith: A MOTION was made by Lou Amabili (19). SECONDED by Jasper Lakey (15) to pay all bills as presented. <CARRIED by acclamation>
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A MOTION was made by Jim Barlow (28, 32) and SECONDED by Tom Mitten (16) to allow payment of bills by the President until the By Law changes have been made.
Tom Mitten (16) announced that the service scholarship awards information will be coming out soon. The amounts this year are $1000.00 each.
Steve Austin (7, 8, 9 & 10) stated that he has talked with Jim Cubbage (DVFA), Senator Bushweiler and Representative Carson who are working together with sponsoring legislation in regards to the move over law and adding tow truck drivers to the previous law. He will keep us updated on progress.
Steve Austin (7, 8, 9 & 10) reported on the stimulus fund monies that are available through the competitive grant process. You will need to apply through the fire grant program. It will be peer review by 6-8 firefighters. You will need justification so send compelling information to be approved.
President Truitt presented an Armed Forces medal/coin to General Wiley.
We have been invited to present our power point presentation to the County Council on Tuesday 4/14 at 3:30 pm.
NEW BUSINESS
Joe Hojnicki (22) is disturbed that the City of Wilmington is requesting funds from New Castle County. He requested a copy of the letter be given to each Company (done).
A MOTION was made by Tim Ingram (28,32) and SECONDED by Robert Seinsoth (23) to open a sealed bid process for the trailer. Bids due by 6/1. <CARRIED by acclamation>
A MOTION was made by Wally Poppe (15) and SECONDED by Jim Barlow (28, 32) to accept the proposals from the Dive Team and pay the bills submitted. <CARRIED by acclamation>
A MOTION was made by Jim Barlow (28, 32) and SECONDED by Tim Ingram (28, 32) to send a letter to the County Executive not supporting the request of the City of Wilmington for funds. After further discussion from members regarding false information in the letter, a MOTION was made by Wally Poppe (15) and SECONDED by Lou Amabili (19) to table the motion. Roll call vote-12 yes and 9 no, MOTION tabled.
Frank Gant (4,24) brought up the budget issue for Ken Pyle and said we will need to begin the budget process in June now because of the By Law change.
GOOD OF THE ASSOCIATION:
Robert Seinsoth (23) presented a donation to Wally Poppe (15) of $3051.94 from the Paintball Tournament that was sponsored by Minquas Fire Company and held at Outdoor Adventures. This donation is for the Emily Burge Trust Fund.
Wally Poppe (15) announced on behalf of the Fire Company and Ladies Auxiliary a sincere thanks to Robert Seinsoth, Minquas Fire Company, the County Association for the 5 K run/walk, Claymont Fire Company and the Red Knights for their recent fund raising efforts on behalf of Emily Burge. At present the Trust Fund has over $60,000.00 due to everyone’s hard work and generosity.
Warren Jones (DVFA) announced that they will be unveiling the addition of Michelle Smith and Wayne Steen’s names to the monument. This event will be Sunday 6/14 at 2 pm. The DVFA meeting is that morning.
Mike McMichael (15) announced the plans for the EMS Bike Ride that will come through Delaware on Monday 5/18. There will be a ceremony in Dover recognizing Michelle Smith and Stephanie Calloway and then they will go on through Georgetown. The ride culminates in Roanoke and there will be the National EMS Memorial Service on Saturday 5/23. The website has further information on it. There is a fund raiser on 4/30 at Station 14 from 8 pm until 1 am with the band Code Blue. Cost is $35 per person.
Lou Amabili (19) spoke regarding the checks received tonight and how the monies are distributed. The monies for the City go to the firefighter’s retirement fund.
Mike Rush (3, 6 & 12) spoke regarding the importance of attending the Blue Mass on 5/7 at 11 am this year especially in light of our losses. The Mass will take an hour and then they will have a luncheon. Please send uniformed people and apparatus.
Jack Clendaniel (11) announced the Harley raffle that they are sponsoring. The drawing will be 10/3 at their Open House.
Charley Sheridan (20) thanked everyone for their support in the concerns over the relocation of Medic 2. It has been taken out of the budget for this year but pay close attention because it will come up again when funding is available.
Dwain Haines (26) reminded everyone of the Spring Fling tickets still available.
The next meeting will be a President/Chief workshop on 5/14 at Station 18 and the next County meeting will be 6/11 at Station 19.
The Benediction was given by Rev. Wilms
50/50 winning number 207551. Amount $111.
Rising vote of Thanks given to Host Company.
Meeting adjourned at 2005 hours.
Minutes recorded by:
Debbie Watson, Secretary