The meeting was called to order by President Mason at 1936 hours.

Following a salute to the flag and a moment of silence for retired Chief and Association Past President Merton Dyer, a quorum call was taken.

Welcoming everyone was the Host, Chief Scott Wiggin, who thanked all for coming. He also thanked the staff of the MCC for the arrangements for the meeting.

Advocate Members in attendance: John Merrill.

Several special guests were introduced.

The minutes of the previous meetings were printed and made available at meeting.  A MOTION (Christopoulos/Wiggin) to accept them as printed, carried unanimously.

Deputy Carrier read the financial report. A MOTION (Burr/Preece) to accept it carried unanimously.

Applications for Membership: Chief Lemire read two applications for first reading and five in second reading. A MOTION (Hall/Farley) to approve those in second reading carried unanimously. The Association welcomes Division Fire Chief Jason Cleary of Durham; Fire Chief Gilbert Vien of Chichester; Fire Chief John Schlemmer of Center Harbor; Deputy Fire Chief Anthony Stowers of Merrimack and Fire Chief Daniel Ruggles of Sunapee as its newest members.

Director Mason reported on the following:

• Governor and Council affirmation of reappointment of Fire Marshal William Degnan.
• Traditional corned beef dinner next Thursday, March 20.  Chief Lemire has tickets.
• Nominating Committee under Chief LeClaire, preparing for the annual meeting.
• Vacancy on the EMS Trauma Board and that Fire Chief Richard O’Brien will be filling the position.
• The success of the membership campaign.  Chief Lemire reported seven new cards of interest.
• Achievement of and presentation of certificates for Chief Officer designation. Ron O’Keefe and Shawn Murray.

Chief Murray for the Legislative Committee reported on the status of the several bills, especially HB 1645 (retirement bill), and spoke on the tentative atmosphere in Concord due to the cross-over date being next week. He elaborated on the activity ongoing to lobby house members to support amendments to the bill. He deferred to Marshal Degnan to speak on the fire safety bills being considered. 

A MOTION (LeClaire/Lambert) to appropriate $7500 to be used to fund the effort to deal with the legislature on this issue, carried with one in opposition.

Fire Marshal William Degnan spoke on the status of the HazMat bill (HB 1595). New action proposed to take money from the fire academy fund to fund it, which may pass.  Work to stop that will have to go on in the Senate. He also spoke on the status of SB 346 that would require Fire Chiefs to report the results of school inspections to the Fire Marshal and also the bill requiring the licensing of pipefitters. He also spoke on HB1585 relative to taking the fees on gas fitters for the General Fund instead of the fire fund. 

He also spoke on the new self-inspection program and the intent to have it augment not replace the community’s inspection program, and also the Safer Cigarette bill status. All of the cigarettes in NH should now have been replaced with the new ones. He also stated that retired Chief Thibeault was now employed by the SMO.

HB 1573 will allow the municipality to place a lien on dilapidated properties, to address the issues that Berlin had after their rash of fires. It will help all municipalities to get fire ravaged buildings removed.

Director Mason reported on the starting of Recruit School and Officer Training School.  EMS has a new TEMSIS template and also will have a new north country office in Gorham.

Forest Protection Chief Brad Simpkins reported that two of his four vacancies would be filled.

NVFC Spring Meeting will be in Washington in conjunction with CFSI.

Chief LeClaire reported for the Advisory Committee on Emergency Preparedness, stating that the grants would be acted upon shortly. He also reported on the consolidation efforts.

Chief Lambert reported on the Fire Code Review Board, that there is to be a meeting tomorrow and the items being dealt with.

He also reported on the New England Association of Fire Chiefs vacancy for New Hampshire Director. An announcement will be made shortly on the successful candidate.  The New England Fire Chiefs’ Conference information will be released shortly.

Chief Roger Bradley, NE Director for the IAFC, reported on electronic balloting; closing on July 1. In 2010 all elections/balloting will be done electronically. NEDIAFC board met in February, reviewing the Strategic Plan and offering revisions. He also reported on FRI in Denver in August and the change in the New England Division headquarters hotel. He urged all that are attending to book early.

Under New Business, retired Chief Charles Hall made a MOTION (seconded by M. Buxton) to send a donation in honor of Chief Merton Dyer of $100 (Amended from $35). It carried unanimously.

Chief Christopoulos reported on the August meeting that will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the NHAFC. It will be held on Tuesday August 26th and will include dinner and tickets to a Fisher Cats game on the Deck level with a suite. 

A motion to adjourn carried unanimously at 2042 hours.

Respectfully submitted,

Chief Brent T. Lemire, ret.
Secretary, NHAFC