R.G.V.F.F.M.A. District Meeting

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Alton, Texas

The Rio Grande Valley Firefighter’s and Fire Marshals’ Association held their quarterly meeting on Sunday, October 10, 2010, in Alton, Texas.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT:

Jerry Alaniz, 1st VP Domingo Hinojosa, 2nd VP

Roman Flores, 3rd VP Alfredo Garza, 4th VP

Annabelle White, Treasurer Mari Tovar, Secretary

Rolando Espinoza, Historian Roger Mann, Chaplain

George Castillo, Past Prest.

BOARD MEMBERS NOT PRESENT:

Ruben Lopez, President Ubaldo D.Perez,Training. Coor.

CALL TO ORDER:

1st Vice President Jerry Alaniz called the meeting to order at 10:44 a.m. Thanked Alton Fire Department for hosting the meeting.

INVOCATION:

Chaplain Roger Mann led the group in prayer.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE & TEXAS PLEDGE:

George Castillo Jr., led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Texas Pledge.

WELCOME:

Provided by Chief Elias Saldivar.

RESPONSE:

Provided by Chief Rolando Espinoza (Alamo).

INTRODUCTION OF GUEST:

1st Vice President Alaniz introduced the guest in attendance.

·  Tom Van Wyngarden – VFIS

·  Rusty Katner & wife – SFFMA 4th Vice President

·  Jim Farrell – Siddons Fire Apparatus

DEVOTIONAL:

Chaplain Roger Mann led the group in prayer.

10 Minute Break

BUSINESS MEETING:

1st Vice President Alaniz called the business meeting to order at 11:10 a.m.

ROLL CALL:

District Secretary Mari Tovar conducted roll call of cities present. There were nineteen (19) cities in attendance.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

1st Vice President Alaniz asked for a motion to approve the minutes from (July 11, 2010) Motion made to approve minutes by Lillian Garcia (Santa Monica); 2nd by Frankie Joe Salinas (Edinburg). All in favor, minutes approved as read.

TREASURERS REPORT:

Annabelle White read the treasurer’s report (see attachment). 1st Vice President Alaniz asked for a motion to approve the report. Motion made to approve report by Frankie Joe Salinas (Edinburg); 2nd by Terry White (Raymondville). All in favor, report approved as read.

1st VICE PRESIDENT – JERRY ALANIZ:

The following items were presented:

·  Fundraiser was discussed:

1.  Skeet Shoot to be held still no confirmation on site.

§  1st Site: Media Lodge – No Fee

§  2nd Site: Valverde and Trenton – Fee $300

§  Date: January 22, 2011

·  Discussion as per Lillian Garcia (Santa Monica) 2nd site is better.

·  Frankie Joe Salinas (Edinburg) - Discussion on who is running Skeet Shoot and generating more money.

§  Skeet Shoot will be run by Sam De La Garza @ $3,800

§  Generate more money if we do the Annie Oakley and a top sponsor of $750

§  3 – 4 man team. A 4 man team is better.

2nd VICE PRESIDENT – DOMINGO HINOJOSA:

The following items were presented:

·  Proposals were submitted for by-laws. (See attached proposals).

·  Need to submit pictures, years of service and deceased date for Memorial Services in April. Also, would like for a representative from the department of the deceased present at the Memorial Services. We will have a fire truck line up.

·  Chief Lenny Perez (Brownsville) asked, “If a past president from both associations passes away which flower will the district use?” Recommends too include another color.

3rd VICE PRESIDENT – ROMAN FLORES:

The following items were presented:

·  In charge of the Firefighter of the Year. Invites every department to please submit nominations.

·  EMS Provider of the Year – No criteria/requirements at this time. Will follow up and submit.

·  The RGVFFMA website is up and running (but is still a work in progress). If anyone wishes to post any information on the website, please send to or

·  Poster Contest – Will be coordinating with State, Omar Garza (Edinburg) and Ruben Lopez (Edinburg).

4TH VICE PRESIDENT – ALFREDO GARZA – NOT PRESENT:

Thanked everyone for attending the meeting and invited everyone to participate at the pumper races.

AnnaBelle White advised the group that Dues for 2011 have been mailed out.

DIST. TRAINING COOR. – UBALDO D. PEREZ – NOT PRESENT:

Report presented by 1st Vice President Jerry Alaniz:

·  Driver Operator Course; October 25 – November 13; Fee $300.

·  Working on registration from for the Annual Training Conference.

·  A total of 13 students attend the NFA Class

MOMENT OF SILENCE:

·  Luis Guevara (Brownsville Fire Department)

·  Pablo Cruz (La Sara Fire Department)

ADVISORY COMMITTEE – LENNY PEREZ:

Chief Perez (Brownsville) advised that TEEX is pushing Pro-Board certification so that commission can recognize volunteer departments. Also, any injuries (this pertains to paid departments) need to report all injuries the commission.

As of October 20, 2010 Chief Perez will no longer serve on the Advisory Board. He has been appointed as one of the Commissioners for TCFP. CONGRATULAITONS CHIEF PEREZ!

STATE FINANCE COMMITTEE – HERB WILLICH – NOT PRESENT:

Report presented by 1st Vice President Jerry Alaniz. See attached report.

OLD BUSINESS:

Discussion on safety trailer from McAllen – District Secretary contacted Roy Rubio no information as of yet.

NEW BUSINESS:

·  2nd Vice President Hinojosa advised that the district patch needs to be re-done. He suggested for the members of the district to submit a draft of a district patch to the District Board.

·  1st Vice President Alaniz read letter from Paul Hamilton candidate for SFFMA 4th Vice President.

·  Thanked Jim Farrell and MES for providing breakfast

·  Guadalupe FFMA – Training – 10/24/10 – Ganado, Texas

·  Gear Inspection Course – 10/20/10 – Alamo Fire Department – 9 – 12 p.m.; no fee.

·  Mass Casualty Response Course – Alamo – Tuesday thru Thursday.

·  George Castillo (McAllen Firefighters Association) Breast Cancer Awareness selling T-Shirts - $10 – taking orders – will deliver. Size 2XLl-3XL additional $1. Thanked everyone for all their support.

SFFMA REPORT: RUSTY KATNER – SFFMA 4TH VICE PRESIDENT

Mr. Katner discussed the following:

Communications:

  • The Texas Firemen magazine will be published in mid-October.
  • This year we hope to include a department listing in the magazine which will include every department’s name, Chief, primary phone number and website address. Please make sure your information is correct in our online database.
  • SFFMA has now established a Facebook page. Members are welcome to post information, updates, ads, etc on it.
  • SFFMA has also established a Flickr account to share our photo’s with you.
  • SFFMA has made many improvements to our website in the recent months. Please visit the website often to get the latest news, committee rosters, etc

Certification News:

  • If you are a Certification Coordinator and have not responded to Joyce Stein regarding questions she sent you regarding your 2009 Progress Report please provide the answers so that she may close your report.
  • The Certification Board will be meeting in October and possibly November to continue to work on the certification program changes. More information will be coming out in the magazine, website and E*InfoFire newsletters
  • The SFFMA Online program and all of the paper forms are updated to track/report by objectives. Fire departments will, in the long run, find this an easier system because it provides a clear report of which specific items their firefighters need to cover for their next level of certification. If they have question, call their district rep or Kevin in Austin.

Membership News:

  • SFFMA will launch the new membership card, it will be more informative, and looks really nice! See what it’s going to look like in the next edition of Texas Firemen.
  • SFFMA needs more email addresses! In our efforts to keep cost down we ask that members update their profiles when they can. By including your email address you ensure that you are updated on issues and events that we are promoting. We don’t SPAM, so please know it’s a way of directly informing the members of what is going on in the association.

SFFMA Sales:

  • For a limited period of time we are offering free shipping on all orders over $100. Customers must call Sales at 800.580.7336 to place the order and take advantage of the special.
  • A reminder to grant recipients: All major publishers will be having price increases in November, December and January. We would encourage you to place your orders soon to get the items you need at the best price and make the most of your money! We cannot guarantee that quotes made now will be honored in 2011 unless prior arrangements are made.

SFFMA Conference News:

  • SFFMA’s conference in Corpus Christi drew right at 800 in attendance and we actually were able to cover our conference related expenses this year due to negotiated hotel rates, lower food costs and our Sponsors. Please make sure to support our sponsors such as VFIS, Budweiser, Texas Farm Bureau, HEB, and others.
  • Pictures from the 2010 conference in Corpus Christi are now available online under the SFFMA Photo Gallery
  • SFFMA is preparing for the 2011 conference which will be in Mesquite Texas June 17-22. The planning conference will take place January 28/29 at the Hampton Inn in Mesquite. We are seeking presenters for the June conference and have the “Call for Presenters” form online
  • The Executive Board and Staff will be meeting October 22 to discuss the format and schedule of the conference. The Staff of the association have been working the conference for years and have a lot of input received from our membership on how we can make the conference better and more attended.
  • Members are reminded to continue to send in your names for the annual memorial service. Please include your department name, member name, date of death and active or retired to

SFFMA Membership News:

  • SFFMA recently signed agreements with two affiliate programs aimed at offering benefits to our members:

o  North Central EMS Cooperative (NCEMSC) – Offers discounts on EMS supplies, fire equipment, etc from manufacturers such as Boundtree, Darley, Taylor Made Ambulances, Zoll, etc.

o  California Casualty Insurance – California Casualty Insurance is a member benefit program found in several other state fire associations. They will offer our membership discounted home and auto insurance rates. More information will be coming soon in the magazine.

2011 Legislative Session

  • We are gearing up for another legislative session. Legislators will primarily be focused on budgets. We are not preparing to try and push much legislation but will possibly try to assist in clean up language for the black fire hydrant bill and we will be closely monitor any legislation which could affect the fire service.

VFIS: Mr. Van Wyngarden discussed liability coverage for the district.

HISTORY OF HOST CITY – ROLAND ESPINOZA:

Presented history on Alton Fire Department.

SELECTION OF NEXT HOST CITY – ROLAND ESPINOZA:

Santa Monica – January 16, 2011.

Edinburg – April 2011

Brownsville – July 2011 (Not confirmed)

BENEDICITON – ROGER MANN:

Mr. Mann led the group in the benediction.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

·  Linn San Manuel Fundraiser

§  Fire Station

§  October 24, 2010

§  $7.50 per plate

·  San Juan BBQ Pit & Panchanga Fundraiser

§  $5.00 per ticket

§  $25 (meat package)

§  Giveaway week before Thanksgiving

·  Edinburg Fire Department Golf Tournament

§  Los Lagos Golf Course

§  November 6, 2010

§  $300 per team

MEAL ANNOUNCEMENT – CHIEF ELIAS SALDIVAR

DOOR PRIZES – LINDA ESPINOZA

ADJOURNMENT:

1st Vice President Alaniz asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting; Motion made by Captain Rolando Reyes (Hidalgo); 2nd by Chief Lenny Perez (Brownsville); all in favor; motion passed.

Meeting adjourned at 12:03 p.m.

Submitted by:

Ruben Lopez Mari Tovar

Ruben Lopez Mari Tovar

President Secretary