CUMBERLAND VALLEY VOLUNTEER FIREMEN’S ASSOCIATION
Annual Convention
August 3-6, 2005
McConnellsburg, Pa.
Thursday Morning, August 4, 2005
The 2005 Convention meeting of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen’s Association was called to order by President Allen Brennan at 9:00 am. Invocation was given by Chaplain Charles Barnhart followed by the presentation of colors by the Fulton Honor Guard and the Pledge to the Flag led by President Brennen. President Brennen thanked the Honor Guard
for their presentation.
Guests were introduced by the President:
Pennsylvania Fire Commissioner, Ed Mann. He welcomed everyone to Pennsylvania in behalf of Governor Randell. He spoke on the purpose of the vest he was given and an incident he used it. He announced that he was elected for a 1-year term on the Board of Directors of the Volunteer Combination officer section of the IAFC. A partnership program with the NVFA he is working on is called “Courage to be safe so everyone goes home.” A bit of advice he left was: Reduce line of duty deaths, get physicals, no alcohol on calls, use of seat belts on equipment, and when driving, slow down when responding to calls.
Other guests introduced were the Commissioners of Fulton County: Dan Swayne, Bonnie Mallott Keefer, and Ellis Yingling. The Commissioners welcomed everyone and thanked them for all they do. Sue Yeager, representing the Honorable Dick Hess presented citations to the McConnellsburg Fire Company for the 75 years of service to the community. President of McConnellsburg Volunteer Fire Company, Mike Chilcote welcomed everyone and offered their help throughout the day.
Bobby Balta, 1st Vice President of the Maryland State Firemens’ Association was introduced along with Delaware’s 1st Vice President, Ken Pyle and the state of Pennsylvania alternate Director to NVFC Robert Timko.
Vice President Steve Flickinger introduced his Convention committee and welcomed the Convention chairman David Hoover from McConnellsburg. He explained the activities for the Convention. Steve Austin introduced the Chief, Mr. Jack Jones and son firefighter Jon Jones from Massachusetts.
President Brennan announced his Special Convention Committees;
Sergeant of Arms -
Election Committee – Harry Alt, Bob Cumberland, and Dean Simpson.
Installing Officer – Steve Austin.
Roll was called by Acting Secretary, Gene Worthington. Roll was answered by 10 Officers, 8 Directors and 13 Past Presidents.
Officers answering roll call were:
Allen Brennen President
Gene Worthington First Vice President
Steven Flickinger Third Vice President
Marvin Sharp Fourth Vice President
Stephen McBee Financial Secretary
George Dove Treasurer
Stephen Heefner Home Office Manager
Charles Barnhart Chaplain
James Wharry Assistant Chaplain
Howard Cohen Attorney
Board of Directors:
Gerald Holtry (PA)Harry Alt (WV)
Richard Jones (PA)Larry Smallwood (VA)
Robert Cumberland (MD)Stephen Austin (DE)
Wayne Baker (MD)Dean Simpson (
Past Presidents:
George Dove Larry Smallwood
Wayne Baker Harry Alt
Charles Myers Stephen Austin
Robert Cumberland Ray Mowen
Joseph Bukowski Lee Holler
Stephen Heefner Stephen McBee
Dean Simpson
There were 72 members and 25 guests, for a total of 97 individuals representing 30 companies present.
Officer reports were ask for at this time with only 6 reports handed in for recording. These reports are attached to the minutes for review. The Presidents report of activities for the year was in the Convention book.
The President added information to his report that was not in the book. He attended the MSFA Convention in Ocean City in June and in July he went to Bethesda, Md. to the Department Homeland Security Capability workshop.
His total travel miles will be 3,356.
The Board of Directors reports that were handed in will be attached to the minutes for review.
At 10:30 am the meeting was recessed for everyone to proceed to the Memorial service at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in McConnellsburg. A very inspiring service was held by Chaplain Charles Barnhart, Assisting Chaplain James Wharry and the host Pastor, Pastor Alan Reed of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. A special tribute was given in the memory of Louise Dell who had been Secretary of the CVVFA for 17 years. There were 30 other deceased members memorialized at the service.
The meeting reconvened at 1;00 p.m. after a delicious lunch was served.
The President ask Steve Austin to introduce other guests that came in after the morning session. Larry Curl who is Chairman of the Volunteer/Combination Officers chiefs of the IAFC was introduced. Larry will be heard from later in the program.
Nomination of Officers for 2005-2006 was called for by the President.
PresidentGene Worthington (MD)
First Vice PresidentMarshall Younker (WV)
Second Vice President Steven Flickinger (PA)
Third Vice President Marvin Sharp (DE)
Fourth Vice President Hugh Harris (VA)
TreasurerGeorge Dove
Financial SecretaryStephen McBee
Recording SecretaryJoan Cumberland
Home Office ManagerStephen Heefner
Publicity ManagerRobert Timko
ChaplainCharles Barnhart
Assistant ChaplainJames Wharry
AttorneyHarold Cohen
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PennsylvaniaSteve Haines
MarylandWayne Baker
VirginiaWalter Robertson
West Virginia Harry Alt
DelawareRobert Ahn
Pennsylvania DelegateCharles Myers
The Acting Secretary cast the ballot for the 2005-2006 Officers all unopposed positions.
COMMITTEE REPORTS;
Archives – No report
Audit – Gerald Holtry reported books have been audited.
Budget- George Dove reported everything set for the coming year.
Constitution & By-Laws- Bob Cumberland reported a change in a by-law.
Convention Committee- Steve Flickinger reported everything going well.
Credential- No report.
Fire person of the year – George Dove will have presentation at Banquet.
Fire Prevention – No report.
Legislative – No report.
Membership - Dean Simpson reported it was a very successful year for
Maryland.
Memorial – Charles Barnhart, Chaplain, said he thought everything went
well at the service.
National Emergency Responder Institute – Steve Austin presented a power
Point presentation of the status of the current project and a review of the grants that begin on September 1. A copy of the power point is available for any member who would like to have one. The Association closed out last year’s grant and has received a total of $110,000 for the next 18 months
Parliamentarian – No report.
Pennsylvania Delegate, Charles Myers, thanked McConnellsburg for hosting the Convention and congratulated them on their 75 years of service. He announced the PA. Convention will be in Greensboro. He gave a list of activities for the year.
Public Relations – No report.
Resolutions – Joe Burkowski ask to submit your resolutions ASAP!
Scholarship – Harry Alt reported the Scholar J.R.Haines is attending
University of Maryland Fire Technology.
Topics and Web Page – The committee arranged for keynote speaker, Jon
Jones to speak on line manual and other documents he will be producing from FEMA/USFA. The Banquet speaker will be Mr.
Bill Troup from the USFA who is the Federal Manager of our grants.
Steve continues to power the web site free for us. At the request of the Association he is posting training opportunities on the page. The committee encourages all members to regularly visit the web site. New articles will be posted shortly after the annual convention.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS;
A point of interest was brought up reference to the Audit fiscal year.
Suggested the Audit be done August 31st as the Audit report is last years Audit report. This will be brought up at the Booster meeting to be discussed and a decision made as how this will be handled.
Steve Heefner reported on the purchase of the decals. This can turn into a costly project. He is waiting for a possible special decal program that he can get reduced prices. Anyone hearing of any specials let him know.
By-Law vote—The By-Law change presented by the committee was voted on. A motion was made to change the wording only –“ advertising “ to “ Publicity manager”. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS;
Howard Cohen made a motion that the 104th Annual Convention of the CVVFA be dedicated in honor of the late CVVFA Secretary Emeritus Louise Dell, who contributed so much for so many years to this organization. Motion was seconded and passed by the members.
A discussion was held followed by a motion being made to buy a Brick for Louise Dell and Charles Ringer at the Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Md., total cost $200.00. Motion carried.
Steve Austin introduced Mr. John Tucker who is with FASNY and he gave a presentation about the Federal Credit Union for the members and the organization.
After much discussion a motion was made by Steve Austin that we join FASNY and FASNY’s Credit union. The amount to be deposited will be determined by the officers and treasurer. There was a second to the motion and motion was carried.
After a 5 minute break called by the President, Steve Austin introduced a slide presentation on the 2nd main project of the CVVFA, Emergency Safety Institute with R& D person David Orange from New York. He spoke on information for promoting Fire Safety with training and assistance . This was a very informative program.
SUGGESTIONS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER;
Bob Cumberland shared some disturbing news with the group that was just passed on to him. A young lady fell into the Flame at the Fallen Fighters Memorial in Emmitsburg. He did not know the outcome of the situation at this time.
Bob Timko asked for everyone to get their ads in asap.
BANQUET AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
AUGUST 6, 2005
The Banquet and Installation was held at the American Legion and hosted by the McConnellsburg VFC.
President Brennan welcomed everyone to the Banquet at 6:30 p.m.
Blessing was given by Chaplain, Charles Barnhart.
Welcome was given by Dave Hoover from McConnellsburg.
Following a delicious dinner, Steve Austin introduced the Keynote speaker for the evening Mr. Bill Troup who is with the USFA.
President Brennan read and distributed some of 19 resolutions.
Those persons not present will have them sent to them. These were for 50 years of service in the CVVFA.
There were six nominees for the Fire Person of the Year. The winner of this award was Robert Romig. His awards will be ordered.
Installation of Officers for 2005-2006 was held with installing officer
Steve Austin administering the oaths.
Officers installed were:
President Gene Worthington
First Vice President Marshall Younker
Second Vice President Steve Flickinger
Third Vice President Marvin Sharp
Fourth Vice President Hugh Harris
Treasurer George Dove
Financial Secretary Stephen McBee
Recording Secretary Joan Cumberland
Home Office Manager Steve Heefner
Publicity Manager Robert Timko
Chaplain Charles Barnhart
Assistant Chaplain James Wharry
Attorney Howard Cohen
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steve Haines, PA.
Wayne Baker, MD.
Walter Robertson, VA.
Harry Alt, WV.
Robert Ahn, DE.
Charles Myers, PA. Delegate.
Past President Brennan presented the gavel to the newly elected President Gene Worthington. President Gene presented Past President with his Past Presidents pin. President Worthington made an acceptance speech with some goals for the year.
The banquet ended about 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Joan Cumberland,
Recording Secretary CVVFA