What is the Association?
The New Jersey State Fire Chiefs' Association is an organization of
Chief Fire Officers.
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The objectives and purposes of the Association are:
To provide a forum for the discussion and
dissemination of information on the methods of prevention and
suppression of fires.
To give attention to matters that may be referred
to it by the fire service.
To act as a referring agency for questions referred
to it regarding fire laws, suppression, prevention, training, and
equipment.
To provide for the beneficiaries of deceased
members by the establishment of a Benefit Fund.
To promote social and fraternal fellowship.
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Active membership is open to Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, Deputy Chiefs
and Battalion Chiefs of any Fire Department, Company, or Brigade, whether paid, volunteer,
or industrial.
Associate membership is open to Captains and Lieutenants of any Fire
Department, Company, or Brigade, whether paid, volunteer, or industrial.
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The Association meets once
a year at our Annual Conference in Wildwood, New Jersey, when officers are
elected and the memorial service is held. The meeting include reports from
the officers and committees and a technical program.
The Association publishes a
newsletter, The Five Trumpet Journal five times each year.
News of the meetings, committee reports, firematic information, and
announcements are printed. A subscription is included as part of the
membership.
The Association sponsors a
bi-weekly e-mail newsletter, The RELAY, for any member who provides an
e-mail address.
The State Chiefs' was a founding
member of the New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute and
actively participates in its work. The Association participates in the Fire
Chiefs Alliance
By law, the Association has a member on
(1) the Fire Safety Commission
(2) the 9-1-1 Advisory Commission, and
(3) the New Jersey Domestic Security Planning Group.
Eagle Scouts who are Junior
Firefighters or relatives of Association members are recognized at their
Court of Honor.
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The Board of Directors meets regularly to transact the business of the
Association. From the information in the Journal and the RELAY, members have an
opportunity to provide information to the Board.
Much of the work is done by Committees. Special Committees are
appointed as required.
The Legislative Committee considers proposed legislation,
particularly on the State level, confers with other firematic organizations, and makes the
Association's opinions known to the Legislature.
The Valor Awards Committee screens and selects the applicants most
worthy to receive the valor awards for volunteer firefighters. The presentations are made
at the Spring Meeting. The award consists of a framed certificate, a lapel pin, and a
savings bond.
The Scholarship Committee screens and selects recipients for college
level scholarships. The value of the awards is based on the amount of funds made available
to the Committee by private sources and the Association. Presentations are made at the
Annual Meeting.
Members are
appointed to participate in work groups that have a mission that relates to
the objectives of the Association.
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The beneficiaries of members who join the Benefit Fund are entitled to
a benefit at the time of the death of the member. The amount of the benefit is set from
time to time by the Board of Directors based on the number of members in the Benefit Fund.
At the present time, the benefit is $1,800.00.
A member must be a member of the Benefit Fund for one year to qualify
for the death benefit, except in the case of a line of duty death when the benefit is
paid.
An applicant can join the Benefit Fund within five years of joining the
Association or before her/his 56th birthday, whichever is earlier.
Upon the death of a member, an assessment is made against all members of the Benefit
Fund. The total amount of the assessment depends on the frequency of the assessment
notices and the number of deaths reported.
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