The meeting was called to order by President LeClaire at 2000 hours.

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

Welcoming everyone was Chief Thomas Lambert who thanked everyone for coming and commended the staff for the meal.

Advocate Member present were Skip Sullivan, Judy Marshall and Dave Witham

Chief Brian Thibeault introduced Chief Jack Parrow from Chelmsford, MA, who is running for 2 nd Vice President of the IAFC. He spoke briefly of his intentions and asked for the members’ support.

Chief LeClaire noted that the minutes of the previous meetings were printed and available for distribution. A MOTION (Murray/Farley) to accept the minutes as printed, carried unanimously.

Deputy Chief Martin Carrier presented the financial report for the month. A MOTION (Farley/Preece) to accept it carried unanimously.

Chief Lemire read one application in second reading. A MOTION (Thibeault/Lambert) to accept the one in second reading for membership carried unanimously. The NHAFC welcomes Fire Chief Robert Law of Stratham as its newest member! Congratulations!

Chief LeClaire reported on the following:

• Homeland Security Director position. Letters sent to Commissioner and Governor in support. He discussed the letter and the Association’s position with Commissioner Flynn. He also discussed the issue with Councilor Griffin. Opinions floated that we were not unanimous in our recommendation. Members were asked to call their Councilor in support of Chief Pope for the position.

A MOTION (Bradley/Murray) to reaffirm association’s support of Chief Pope by sending a letter to Governor and Council ASAP, carried unanimously.

• Renegotiated a new contract with our lobbyist Doug Patch. Signed agreement yesterday.
• Completed steps to re-appoint Chief Lambert to the Code Review Committee.

Chief Murray for the Legislative Committee reported that they are seeking new members and also seeking input from all the members as they seek to maintain the momentum gained at the State House. Committee will convene the first week of August. He also reported that he is now a member of the coalition dealing with the NH Retirement System status and benefits.

Fire Standards & Training Director Richard Mason reported on the following:

• $225 donation to American Cancer Society from golf tournament today.
• Recruit School finished up June 16, with graduation.
• 60 Explorers graduated their academy recently.
• 1000 students more this year than last trained at the Academy.

Chief Achilles spoke of the interim rules for EMS. Rules are good for six months with sessions on comment to follow.

State Fire Marshal William Degnan reported on the following:

• Fatality in Hillsborough (smoking); Portsmouth fatality in house fire; Bartlett homicide with two arson fires; Winchester arson fire with ancillary crimes and series of fires in NW part of the state.
• Plan review backlog is about nine days at this point. Hope to correct that during next legislative session.
• Modular complaints on the rise. Serious structural issues of late.
• Fireworks – numerous complaints this year. 80% of the calls that came in during the week of the 4 th were related to fireworks complaints. Suggested that local ordinances can help.
• Car 54 project completed through a grant from UNH.
• Still working with HHS on community residences to clarify code language.
• Seeking input for updating the state fire code. Comments welcome.

Chief Coordinator Douglas Aiken reported for E-911 stating that the commission voted to recommend raising the surcharge for E-911 service by $.15. Costs keep rising and the surcharge has still come nowhere near the prediction of years ago. He also reported on cost recovery for service on wireless calls. Legislature did not pass the protective legislation so the state will be liable for several million dollars in recoverable costs to vendors. E-911 rules are also up for review. Public comment will be welcome. Laconia PSAP opening pending financial resolution with telephone carrier. Voice over IP (computer telephone) issues hopefully being resolved as FCC wants to mandate 911 calls are to go to PSAP. MOTION (Roediger/L. Cartier) to send letter of support for the mandate, carried unanimously.

Deputy Carrier, for the NVFC, reported that work on the LOSAP federal legislation has been completed and that a bill had been scheduled to be introduced to Congress but the process has slowed down. They will consult with reps to the IAFC on language to reach agreement so that the process can move forward.

Chief Brad Simpkins reported on the low level of brush activity of late due to the rains. Out of state activity picked up recently with crew to Florida last week. Last week over 80 people passed the testing for the out of state program. He is hoping to have the last two ranger positions filled by the end of the month. He also reported that they now have access to the national lightening detection system and offered assistance to any department needing the information in an investigation.

Chief Williams, in his last report for the Fireworks Committee, indicated that there will be “shoot” at the end of the summer

Chief Lambert, for the Building Code Review Board, stated that they were off for the summer and that there was a sub committee working on code review. He will have more to report later in the summer.

He also reported for the NEDIAFC on the conference in Springfield and will have more after comments are received.

Chief LeClaire, as PFFNH liaison stated that the issues being dealt with are the same and the communications are regular.

Capt. Lambert reported on the status of the Firefighters’ Memorial in Concord and the schedule for the construction weekend. He solicited assistance for the weekend as there are a myriad of jobs that need completion.

Under New Business, Chief Bradley made a MOTION to endorse Chief Parrow for election to the position IAFC Second Vice President and appropriate $750 as a contribution to his campaign (seconded by Chief Thibeault). Motion carried unanimously.

Good and welfare. Chief LeClaire and Director Mason attended installation of Chief Bradley as President of the Hanover Rotary. Congratulations were expressed.

The next meeting will be August 10 in Tilton/Northfield.

The meeting was adjoined at 2104 hours.

Respectfully submitted,

Chief Brent T. Lemire, ret.
Secretary, NHAFC