The meeting was called to order by President LeClaire at 1907 hours.

Following a salute to the flag and a moment of silence, a quorum call was taken.

Welcoming everyone was the Host, Chief Scott Wiggin, who thanked all for coming and also thanked the staff of the MCC for their assistance and the great meal.

Advocate Members in attendance: John Merrill and Jonathan Kipp.

Chief LeClaire noted that the minutes of the previous meetings were printed and available at the entrance. A MOTION (Mason/Burr) to accept them as printed carried unanimously.

Deputy Chief Martin Carrier read the monthly financial report. A MOTION (Hurley/Rosolen) to accept the report carried unanimously.

Applications for Membership: Chief Lemire read two applications for first reading and two for second. A MOTION (Hurley/Burr) to accept the applications of Mark Howard, Dep. Chief of Operations in Keene, and Robert Bottcher, Deputy Chief in Loudon. The association welcomes its newest members!

Chief LeClaire reported on the following:

• A letter requesting support of seat belt legislation again. A MOTION (Pauley/Mason) to support the Primary Seat Belt bill coming up before the legislature carried unanimously.
• The Board of Directors vote to support the re-nomination of Commissioner Richard Flynn as Commissioner of Safety. A MOTION (Klauber/Krause) to forward a letter of support to the Governor carried 68-2.
• The IAFC has invited the NHAFC to attend a mutual aid strategy meeting.
• Commissioner Flynn has invited representation to participate in Homeland Security Grant reviews. Chief Chris Christopoulos will represent the organization.
• Chief Murray met with representative groups on the Public Safety Officer death benefit bill and has indicated that there is unanimous support.

Chief Carrier, for the Professional Development Committee, thanked the presenters for today’s seminar. He also indicated that he was working on professional development activity for the February meeting in Hudson.

State Fire Marshal William Degnan reported on the following:

• Peter Paulson retired on January1. Replacement activity ongoing.
• In process of posting the gas fitter licensing personnel.
• Risk Watch program – picked up 34 kindergartens in Nashua.
• Modular complaints still coming in. Working on issues. Trying to re-capture the funding for the plans review person to review these issues.
• Fire in Exeter apartment building – suspect plead guilty after trial.
• 2006 ended with eight fire fatalities. Better that other years but still not acceptable.
• Burn injury bill resurrected and being supported for this session.
• The Berlin fire which ended up involving six buildings – three fatalities. Described the problems that the city faces with absentee landlords and multi-unit buildings.
• Woodsville fire that happened this morning that almost claimed lives due to the lack of properly operating smoke detectors.
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission (Federal) and its lack of a chairman. The National Assn. of State Fire Marshals has proposed a fire administrator from New York to be appointed.
• Several bills that are pending before the legislature.

Chief Pauley expressed his opinion that the Commissioner of Safety be more supportive of the State Fire Marshal’s office. Chief LeClaire will bring that forward to the Commissioner.

Chief Brad Simpkins of the Forest Protection Bureau reported his statistics for the year 2006. He asked everyone to continue to report illegal fires to his division even though the towers are down. He noted that there are improvements coming for the web site, and also noted that, due to the lack of snow, departments are still issuing permits (double the usual). He also stated that the Rural Fire Protection grants have been awarded.

Dep. Chief Achilles, for the Trauma Coordination Board, reported that updated protocols will be issued for state agencies soon. He has also been elected Chairman of the Board for this year.

Chief DeSilva, for the Trauma Medical Review Committee, reported on the statistics gathered by the Committee.

Chief Stephen Allen was congratulated as today was his last day. He reported that Dep. Chief Christopoulos will be taking over. He also reported that his term on the NEDIAFC should be filled and that a caucus should take place after the meeting.

Chief Thomas Lambert for the Code Review Board, reported their continuing work on updating the Code. He also reported that he attended his first meeting of the Board of Fire Control this week.

Chief LeClaire reported that the Line of Duty Death team reacted appropriately to the death of the Barnstead firefighter recently. Chief George Krause of Barnstead thanked everyone for the support he received and suggested that all Chiefs review the Line of Duty Death protocol prepared and distributed a few years ago.

Chief Brian Comeau, for the NEAFC announced that they are offering to support a Chief to attend the Fire Service Caucus Dinner in April. They are also sponsoring a seminar, details will be forthcoming.

Under Good and Welfare, Chief LeClaire reported that tickets for the March Corned Beef and Cabbage meeting were limited and the method for acquiring them was an issue. He reminded members of the procedure of sending a check with self-addressed stamped envelopes. Chief Thibeault expressed concern that the tickets for the members were not available and that the Executive Committee meet with the host chief to discuss the problem.

Richard Pollock informed the attendees of the donation of Velcro straps to all the members tonight.

Chief Stephen Carrier made a motion, seconded by Chief Richard Pauley to support the re-appointment of Deputy Commissioner Earl Sweeney. The motion carried unanimously.

Following the raffle, a motion to adjourn carried unanimously at 2005 hours.

Respectfully submitted,

Chief Brent T. Lemire, Retired
Secretary, NHAFC