The meeting was called to order by President Chris LeClaire at 1841 hours.

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

Welcoming everyone was Chief Thomas Schofield, who thanked everyone for coming and thanked those attending the seminar.

Advocate Members Peter Sparber and Skip Sullivan were introduced.

Representative Lynne Ober was introduced and spoke on her intention to file legislation to offer the Fire Chiefs the same employment protection as Police Chiefs.

A MOTION (Mason/Christopoulos) to dispense with the reading of the minutes carried unanimously.

Deputy Chief Martin Carrier presented three financial reports and indicated that we had enjoyed the largest surplus ever.

Chief Lemire read the applications for membership. There was one in First reading and a MOTION (Mason/Farley) to approve the one in Second reading carried unanimously. The NHAFC welcomes Capt. Bradley Ober of the Tilton/Northfield Fire Department as its newest member!

Chief Murray, as the interim Legislative Committee Chair reported the following:

• Amelia’s Law passed the Senate and the House was expected to follow suit.
• Fire-safe Cigarette Bill passed the House today.
• Looking for a cadre of Chiefs to be available to trips to Concord when needed.
• Chief LeClaire sent the thanks of the organization to the congressional delegation in Washington.

Fire Standards & Training Director Richard Mason reported the following:

• Chief Murray and Bureau Chief Denis Rosolen recognized for passing Executive Fire Officer program.
• He spoke to the PFFNH convention on NHFA programs.
• Spoke on reciprocity of programs nationwide (17 courses).
• Have trained 5457 students since 7/1/05.
• Groundwork completed on the Firefighters’ Memorial.

State Fire Marshal William Degnan reported the following:

• He introduced Peter Sparber of the National Association of State Fire Marshals.
• The testing of TV sets for flammability and spoke of the results.
• Ten fire investigations during the past month, with 3 arrests being made in Merrimack.
• The inspection activities of the office and that he is at full staff with 8 investigators.
• The sponsoring of a residential sprinkler program in October at Waterville Valley. He urged members to build a community team to attend as there is no cost.
• He thanked all members who contributed to the legislative successes this year.

Forest Protection Chief Brad Simpkins reported that:

• There had been 358 fires burning 480 acres affecting six structures had occurred this season so far.
• Interviews had been conducted for two vacant ranger positions.
• The towers were up and working.

Report of the National Volunteer Fire Council. Deputy Martin Carrier reported that:

• The final bill to re-codify the tax code for LOSAP considerations, had been drafted and will be introduced next week in the House (Federal). He will keep us informed of the progress.
• He would like to see changes in the state’s provisions after the federal proposal is passed.

Chief Tom Lambert for the Building Code Review Board, reported that:

• SB 234 had passed, which is the Universal Building Code.
• The committee will be moving toward updating the codes.

For the NEAFC, he reported on the New England Chiefs’ Conference in Springfield, June 22-25.

Chief Thibeault, for the NEDIAFC, noticed a decrease in firefighter fatalities after the Firefighter Stand-down day last year. He also briefed members on the Springfield conference and other IAFC matters.

Under New Business, Chief Lambert indicated that his term on the Code Review Board was up in July. Chief LeClaire indicated that the Executive Committee would be addressing that at its next meeting.

The next meeting will be June 8 in Bristol.

The meeting was adjoined at 1930 hours.

Respectfully submitted,

Chief Brent T. Lemire, ret.
Secretary, NHAFC