MARYLAND STATE FIREMEN S ASSOCIATION Representing the Volunteer Fire, Rescue and Emergency Medical Services Personnel

Transcription

1 MARYLAND STATE FIREMEN S ASSOCIATION Representing the Volunteer Fire, Rescue and Emergency Medical Services Personnel Paul H. Sterling, Jr. PO Box 1963 Wheaton, Maryland Home Fax Cell paulsterlingjr@aol.com Report of the To the Executive Committee April 12, 2008 Solomons, Maryland Chairman Seavey, Vice s Underwood and Powell, members of the Executive Committee, Committee Chairs, officers and members of the LAMSFA, and guests; good morning. Thanks to each of you for taking time from your personal schedules to support the MSFA this weekend. Special thanks go to Bill Jones, Fire Chief Rich Wilson and the officers, members and ladies of the Solomons Volunteer Rescue Squad and Fire Department. Thanks also to Jackie Olson for arranging the hospitality last evening, as well as the overnight stay and ladies activity today. As I have done in the past, I would like to pause to remember those who have passed since our last meeting. Let us remember MSFA Past Howard B. Springer (58-59) and long time MSFA Members Chief Ronald B. Graf (Earleigh Heights) and Chief John R. Jack Gouty (Jessup VFD). We also remember Virginia Browning (Deale VFD), Reverend Walter Emalia (Baltimore County VFA), Dr. Phillip M. Phillips (Reisterstown VFD, BWI FD and MSP Chaplain) and Chief Franklin Legg, Sr. (Chestertown VFC). I would also like to extend my sympathy to LAMSFA PP Marie Soutar on the passing of her daughter. We also remember Mrs. Eleanor Reynolds, wife of the last MSFA Past TL Reynolds (Queen Anne s-hillsboro). We also remember our colleagues who continue to struggle with various health issues. Bennie Shelton (Sudlersville), PP Ed Preston (Arbutus), PP Leonard King (Damascus/Deale/Marlboro), PP Bob Cumberland (Westminster) J Donald Mooney (Lansdowne), PP Richard Yinger (Citizens Truck), Firefighter Davis Horseman (Madison VFC), Jackie Olson (Ferndale), AGCVFRA Past Woody Nightengale, John Hoglund, Fire Marshal Bill Barnard, Gene and Bobby Aaron (Hurlock), FF/Paramedic Bryan Isaccs (Baltimore City FD), Step-son of Rusty Leftwich and PP Bob Cumberland (Westminster). Condolences also go to MSFA Assistant Chaplain Harry Hetz on the passing of his brother Karl. I would like to recognize Chief Chaplain John Long and the Chaplain s Corp for their diligence and commitment to our members and their families during these sad and difficult times.

2 Report of the To the Executive Committee Page 2 of 4 April 12, 2008 Most of the business of the MSFA Leadership, since the February Executive Committee, meeting has been concentrated on advancing the budgetary and legislative agenda of the MSFA with the General Assembly in Annapolis. I would like to recognize the dedication and efforts of Legislative Committee Chairman C. Daniel Davis, as well as Vice Chairs Joseph R. Robison and Douglas C. Alexander. These three gentlemen had a daily visible presence in Annapolis working for the good the MSFA and our member companies. A special recognition goes to the LAMSFA for their dedication and commitment to staffing the office at 17 State Circle during the 90-day session. Thanks go to Peggy Webb, Rose Davis, Candy Mitchell, Marie Soudar, Betty Radisch, Barbara McWilliams, and Carene Housenfluck. The commitment of all of these folks is truly appreciated. On March 31, 2008, FYI, Governor O Malley submitted his supplemental operating budget. Line Item D50H01.06 added $274,950 as a Special Fund appropriation from the EMSOF to fund the MSFA Executive Director and associated operating expenses. House Bill 1622, introduced by Delegate Norman Conway, received a unanimous favorable report in the GOC. The bill got stalled in the HGO Committee on April 5, 2008 when Delegate Dan Morhaim introduced an amendment that eliminated the Executive Director and associated costs. This was done behind doors and without the knowledge of the MSFA. Another provision of this bill authorized $252,000 in funding to the MSFA Appropriations and Widows and Orphans Fund, however the funding was contingent on passage of the bill. Despite the hard work and efforts of Delegate Conway, DBM Secretary T. Eloise Foster, Deputy Secretary of State Brian Moe and others, the bill failed to move out of committee. Because the bill did not get passed, the MSFA funding for our Appropriations and Widows and Orphans will be reduced by approximately 50 % in the FY 09 Budget. My immediate concern is restoring the funding for our widows and orphans. We are working with Delegate Conway, DBM and the Governor to try and resolve this matter as soon as possible. As to the Executive Director, I appreciate the hard work of the EDWG during the past year. This is a huge disappointment after so much work by so many people but and we will continue to pursue funding to move this project forward. The following is a summary of my activities since the December Executive Committee meeting: Continued to promote the Budgetary and Legislative Agenda for 2008 with our elected officials. Participated in the Friday morning Fire Service Work Group Caucus meetings at the Annapolis Fire Department, Taylor Avenue Station. Participated in the Monday afternoon House and Senate Fire Caucus meetings at the Lowe House Office Building. Worked closely with our EMSOF partners during the 2008 Legislative Session to promote and/or defeat legislation affecting the emergency services.

3 Report of the To the Executive Committee Page 3 of 4 April 12, 2008 Worked with the MFSA Public Information Committee to produce a new media publication promoting and market the MSFA. Entitled, MSFA Flashover News and Information, these productions will be distributed statewide to various media resources. In addition to Chair Mike Kelley and his committee, I wish to thank Mayor Craig Moe and the City of Laurel, as well as Laurel Cable. Presented the MSFA Guidelines for Live Fire Training (NFPA 1403) to the Maryland Fire-Rescue Education Training Commission (MFRETC) at their March meeting. The MFRETC was urged to review the document and forward any comments or suggestions to the MSFA Training Committee, prior to this meeting. The MFRETC suggested that we consider providing a seminar/class on these guidelines at the June MSFA Convention and Conference. The Training Committee will follow through on this matter with Education Seminars Coordinator, Pinoake Browning. The MSFA will continue to work with the Minimum Training Standards sub-committee of the MFRETC on others issues associated with conducting a safe burn. I offer my congratulations to John Spiker (Lake Shore), member of the MSFA Fire Prevention Committee, for his recent selection as the Maryland State Council s Knights of Columbus Firefighter of the Year. John was formally recognized at the Council s Annual Meeting on March 9, 2008 in Germantown, Maryland. Congratulations also go to the Mike Newnam, Chief Drew Jensen and the officers and members of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., as they celebrate 200 years of service. On Sunday April 5, 2008, I had the privilege of attending the dedication of a new piece of apparatus. Engine 68, was dedicated to the EVFD and the Town of Easton. In addition, the new fire station on the east end of town was dedicated to long time member and past Mayor Gene Butler. The Headquarters Station was dedicated to the late member and Mayor Henry H. Purdy. Mayor Purdy served the EVFD and the MSFA with honor and distinction for many years. Easton VFD will be continuing their 200 th Anniversary Celebration with a parade on Saturday April 19, We continue to enjoy an excellent working relationship with our allied partners at MEMSS, MFRI, Shock-Trauma, The Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Maryland State Police and MEMA. I personally appreciate the cooperation and open line of communications, leadership and support of each of these allied agencies. I would like to thank the various county associations and departments I have visited during my travels. Thank you for the invitations to the many department banquets and installations. Due to the tremendous number of invitations, it is impossible to attend every banquet; however I truly appreciate the courtesy of the invitations. The friendship and hospitality has been tremendous. To those who continue to serve the

4 MFSA through service on committees and in other functions, I thank you. Travel and meeting schedule is attached. Report of the To the Executive Committee Page 4 of 4 April 12, 2008 Fraternally, Original signed by Chief Paul H. Sterling, Jr.

5 Paul H. Sterling, Jr. February-08 Date Event Location 2/1/2008 Md. Fire Service Group Caucus Annapolis, Md. 2/1/2008 Governor's Press Conference - MSP Medevac Middle River, Md. 2/2/2008 Pikesville VFD Banquet Pikesville, Md. 2/4/2008 Dorchester County VFA Lakes and Straights 2/5/2008 Meeting with OC Mayor Meehan Ocean City, Md. 2/6/2006 Senate Finance Committee Annapolis, Md. 2/6/2008 Visit with MSFA Secretary Leonard King Odenton, Md. 2/6/2008 VCAF Board Meeting Odenton, Md. 2/7/2008 SEMSAC Meeting Baltimore, Md. 2/7/2008 Hospital visit with Woody Nightengele-AGCVFRA Baltimore, Md. 2/8/2008 Md. Fire Service Group Caucus Annapolis, Md. 2/8/2008 Kent-Queen Anne County VFA Rock Hall, Md. 2/9/2008 MSFA Training Committee College Park, Md. 2/9/2008 Viewing for Leon DeBullet (Jackie Olsons brother) Pasadena, Md. 2/9/2008 Mechanicsville VRS Banquet Mechanicsville, Md. 2/11/2008 Meeting with Senator DeGrange Annapolis, Md. 2/11/2008 Meeting with DBM Secretary Foster / MEMA Annapolis, Md. 2/11/2008 Visit with Jack Gouty Annapolis, Md. 2/12/2008 Helicopter Replacement Committee Baltimore, Md. 2/12/2008 EMS Board Meeting Baltimore, Md. 2/12/2008 Visit with Jack Gouty Annapolis, Md. 2/13/2008 Visit with Secretary Leonard King Odenton, Md. 2/13/2008 Talbot County VFA Queen Anne, Md. 2/14/2008 MFRPQB Conference Call Baltimore, Md. 2/15/2008 Md. Fire Service Group Caucus Annapolis, Md. 2/15/2008 MSFA P I O Committee Laurel, Md. 2/16/2008 MSFA Executive Committee New Windsor, Md. 2/16/2007 Union Bridge VFC Banquet Westminster, Md. 2/17/2008 MSFA Executive Committee New Windsor, Md. 2/18/2008 District 11 Legislative Reception Annapolis, Md. 2/18/2008 Meeting with Delegate Conway Annapolis, Md.

6 2/19/2008 ATAC Executive Committee Meeting Columbia, Md. 2/19/2008 AFG Workshop at MFRI College Park, Md. 2/20/2008 Sterling Campaign Fundraiser Meeting Sandy Spring, Md. 2/21/2008 Testify on HB 556 Annapolis, Md. 2/21/2008 Baltimore County VFA Kingsville, Md. 2/22/2008 Md. Fire Service Group Caucus Annapolis, Md. 2/22/2008 Viewing for MSFA PP Howard Springer Delta, Pa. 2/23/2008 Savage VFC Banquet Savage,Md. 2/24/2008 Memorial Service for Chief Ronald B. Graf Severna Park, Md. 2/24/2008 MSFA P I O Committee Laurel, Md. 2/25/2008 Funeral for Chief Ronald B. Graf Severna Park, Md. 2/25/2008 Meeting with Delegate Conway Annapolis, Md. 2/25/2008 Hospital visit with Jack Gouty Annapolis, Md. 2/25/2008 Md. General Assembly Fire Caucus Annapolis, Md. 2/25/2008 Sterling Campaign Fundraiser Meeting Wheaton, Md. 2/28/2008 Meeting with Delegate Conway, MEMA and DBM Annapolis, Md. 2/28/2008 Southern Md. Delegation Legislative Reception Annapolis, Md.

7 March-08 Date Event Location 3/1/2008 Vacation - Cruise Caribbean 3/2/2008 Vacation - Cruise Caribbean 3/3/2008 Vacation - Cruise Caribbean 3/4/2008 Vacation - Cruise Caribbean 3/5/2008 Vacation - Cruise Caribbean 3/6/2008 Vacation - Cruise Caribbean 3/7/2008 Vacation - Cruise Caribbean 3/8/2008 Vacation - Cruise Caribbean 3/9/2008 Vacation - Cruise Caribbean 3/10/2008 General Assembly Fire Caucus Meeting Annapolis, Md. 3/10/2008 Sterling Campaign Fundraiser Committee Meeting Gaithersburg, Md. 3/11/2008 MSFA Convention Steering Committee Odenton, Md. 3/11/2008 Maryland General Assembly Meetings Annapolis, Md. 3/11/2008 Hearings in Annapolis Annapolis, Md. 3/12/2008 PG County VFRA Forestville, Md. 3/13/2008 METRO Chief's Annapolis, Md. 3/13/2008 Hearings in Annapolis Annapolis, Md. 3/14/2008 Md. Fire Service Group Caucus Annapolis, Md. 3/14/2008 Harford-Cecil Counties VFA Delta, Pa. 3/15/2008 MSFA Training Committee Meeting La Plata, Md. 3/15/2008 Rockville VFD Banquet Bethesda, Md. 3/16/2008 MSFA P I O Committee Meeting Laurel, Md. 3/16/2008 Viewing for Betty Vilotti, Kensington VFD Silver Spring, Md. 3/18/2008 ATAC Executive Committee Columbia,Md. 3/18/2008 Hearing HB 956 Annapolis, Md. 3/18/2008 WVRS Monthly Company Meeting Wheaton, Md. 3/19/2008 Howard County VFRA Meeting Savage, Md. 3/20/2008 MFRETC Meeting at AACFD Headquarters Millersville, Md 3/20/2008 Hearing HB 1156 Annapolis, Md. 3/20/2008 Montgomery County VFRA Meeting Laytonsville, Md. 3/21/2008 Md. Fire Service Group Caucus Annapolis, Md. 3/24/2008 Conference call with EMSOF partners Baltimore, Md.

8 3/24/2008 SB 810 Hearing Annapolis, Md. 3/25/2008 Conference call with EMSOF partners Baltimore, Md. 3/25/2008 Funeral - Dennis J. Reilly, Jr. - BCCRS / MC Bethesda, Md. 3/27/2008 Meeting with Speaker Busch and EMSOF partners Annapolis, Md. 3/27/2008 Hearing - HB 1622 Annapolis, Md. 3/27/2008 Caroline County VFA Federalsburg, Md. 3/28/2008 Md. Fire Service Group Caucus Annapolis, Md. 3/29/2008 LAMSFA Spring Conference Gamber, Md. 3/29/2008 Hyattstown VFD Banquet Urbana, Md. 3/30/2008 MSFA P I O Committee Meeting Laurel, Md. 3/31/2008 Southern Md.VFA Meeting Seventh District VFD & RS

9 Paul H. Sterling, Jr. April-08 Date Event Location 4/1/2008 Maryland General Assembly Annapolis, Md. 4/2/2008 Maryland General Assembly Annapolis, Md. 4/2/2008 NFFF Remembrance and Tribute Reception Washington, DC 4/3/2008 SEMSAC at MIEMSS Baltimore,Md. 4/4/2008 Md. Fire Service Group Caucus Annapolis, Md. 4/5/2008 Md. General Assembly Annapolis, Md. 4/5/2008 Odenton VFC Banquet Odenton, Maryland 4/6/2008 Easton VFD Building Dedications Easton, Md. 4/7/2008 Maryland General Assembly Annapolis, Md. 4/8/2008 EMS Board Baltimore, Md. 4/9/2008 Interview formfri Bulletin College Park, Md. 4/11/2008 MIEMSS Star of Life Selection Committee Baltimore, Md. 4/12/2008 MSFA Executive Committee Meeting Solomons, Md. 4/13/2008 MSFA Executive Committee Meeting Solomons, Md. 4/14/2008 Ocean City Mayor, City Council and OCVFC Ocean City, Md. 4/15/2008 Wicomico County VFA Willards, Md. 4/17/2008 Washington County VFRA Hagerstown, Md. 4/18/2008 Meeting with Ron Sianicki and Rose Pandolfini Damascus, Md. 4/19/2008 Easton VFD 200th Anniversary Parade Easton, Md. 4/21/2008 MSFA Executive Committee Meeting Greenbelt, Md. 4/22/2008 NFFF Memorial Weekend Planning Committee Emmitsburg, Md. 4/26/2008 Shock Trauma Gala Baltimore, Md. 4/29/2008 WVRS Alumni Association - Annual Meeting Silver Spring, Md.