View Past Presidents

Click on the name of each Officer for their biography.

President

  H. K. "Skip" Carr
  25 Main Street
  Englishtown, NJ 07726
  (732) 446 3728
  jhkcarr@aol.com

First Vice President

  Jeffrey A. Betz
  7 Stoney Hill Road
  P.O. Box 109
  Brookside NJ 07926-0109
  (973) 543 5557
  jabslw@aol.com

Second Vice President

  Judson Moore
  Port Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Co.
  P.O. Box 31
  Port Elizabeth, NJ 08348
  judmoore@comcast.net

Secretary and Treasurer

  Chris Assenheimer
  P.O. Box 6599
  Carlstadt, NJ 07072
  (201-438-2603
  njchiefs@aol.com

Trustees

Biographies

President H. K. “Skip” Carr

A fire service veteran of over 40 years, Skip has served in many capacities in the Englishtown Fire Department from Chief (1979 – 1982) to Director of the Training and Safety Division (currently). He has also held the positions of county hazardous materials team coordinator and Director of the Monmouth County Fire Academy.

Carr is currently a member of the National Fire Protection Association Standards Committees addressing Hazardous Materials Response (NFPA 472) and Technical Rescue (NFPA 1670). Skip formerly served as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Society of Fire Service Instructors, and chairman of its Hazardous Materials Committee. He has also served on the Public Education Advisory Council of the NJ State Fire Safety Commission and has been a member of the NJ Fire Chiefs Association for over 25 years.

Several training manuals, published by ISFSI and AMEC were written by Skip along with numerous articles in many popular trade magazines. He also participated in the committee that developed the hazardous materials training programs in conjunction with the NJ State Police Office of Emergency Management.

Skip and his wife Judy are both currently active in the Englishtown Fire Department, operate three business’ – H. K. Carr & Associates, Inc. (a training and consulting company), Carr Publishing & Distribution Company (an educational materials provider) and 4th ALARM-RSC, Inc. (an emergency response and safety equipment company).

Carr said, “Although I have had the privilege of belonging to and serving on many fire service committees and with several emergency response organizations, I consider it a pleasure and an honor to serve as the First Vice President of the N J State Fire Chief’s Association.”

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First Vice President Jeffrey A. Betz

Chief Betz has been a volunteer with the Brookside Engine Company # 1, Mendham Township Fire Department since 1971, rose through the ranks and served as Township Chief in 1984. Currently he is the Safety/Training Officer, and chairperson for the Township Joint Apparatus Committee.

Jeff earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration from William Paterson College. He is an NFPA Certified Fire Protection Specialist, certified by the Pro Board as an Incident Safety Officer - Fire Suppression, and certified by the International Code Council for Fire Inspector 1. He is a Certified Fire Official/Inspector, Firefighter 1 and 2, Instructor Level II, and certified at Incident Management Level 2.  He also holds licenses for Fire Protection Sub Code HHS, Construction Official, Building Inspector and Housing Code Official/Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Inspector. 

Betz is employed by AT&T – CRE National Standards as the Fire Protection Manager responsible for all aspects of fire protection both in the national and international arenas.

He was the first fulltime Fire Official/Sub Code for Bridgewater Township serving 11 years, was the Fire Sub Code for the Borough of Bernardsville for 7 years, and Fire Official/ Sub Code for the Township of Mendham for 25 years.

Chief Betz has been a Supervising Instructor at the Morris County Public Safety Training Academy – Fire Division for the past 30 years. He is also a charter member of the NFPA Telecommunications Standards Committee (NFPA76) since 1997, alternate member of NFPA 72 – Supervising Station Alarm Systems and has served on the NJ Fire Safety Commission’s Master Planning & Development Advisory Council since 1986. He is presently the co-chair for training for the Northern Mutual Aid Association. He is the Secretary for both the local Relief and Exempt Associations and serves on the Morris County Construction Board of Appeals.

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Second Vice President Judson Moore

Jud Moore is the Fire Chief Port Elizabeth Volunteer Fire Company in Cumberland County, now serving his fourth year.  Chief Moore has served in the fire service for 37 years in several fire companies depending upon his college days and his full time job careers.  He has served Port Elizabeth for the past seven years and rose through the ranks of Lieutenant, Assistant Chief, and Deputy Chief.  He is the Company Chaplain.  

One of the Chief’s priorities is to seek grant funding for the fire company that is on a limited budget.  Since joining the Port Elizabeth Vol. Fire Co., Chief Moore has written and received grants/loans totaling over $563,872. USDA funding enabled the fire company to purchase a new pumper truck in 2006.  Other funds were from FEMA Assistance Fire Grants, State of New Jersey, and the NJ Forest Fire Service. Another goal was to begin a First Responder program to assist EMS personnel who responding to calls within his fire district.  The program was enacted in 2009 and has been quite successful, generating interest among the fire company members.

Mr. Moore was the Chairman of the Commercial Township Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners for several years and served as the accountant for fire districts I, II and III.  Chief Moore has also served as President of the Cumberland County Firefighter’s Association and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters.

Jud has earned two masters degrees in education services and administration. One degree from the University of North Texas and the other master’s degree from Rowan University.  He has certificates from various courses relating to auto extrication, bus extrication, haz-mat, first responder, and recently completed a course at the National Fire Academy.

Chief Moore works as an Administrator/Deputy Clerk for Commercial Township in Cumberland County and also serves as the Chief Financial Officer. He also works part-time for several other municipalities as their CFO.  Jud has written a number of State grants for other municipalities as a consultant and also assisted other fire companies in writing grants for FEMA awards.  Chief Moore has assisted other fire companies in obtaining over 1.5 million dollars in FEMA grant funding.

He and his wife Nancy, a Jewelry sales rep for Premier Designs of Dallas, Texas, have been married for ten years.  Nancy is the Chairperson of the County National Day of Prayer Program. One of their joys is the breeding and raising of Labrador dogs.  We currently have five labs and two puppies, all yellow and one chocolate.  Jud and Nancy enjoy traveling and living in their shore home in Somers Point.  They are active with their church family at Cumberland County Community Church in Millville.

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Secretary and Treasurer Chris Assenheimer

NJSFCA Past President Christopher H. Assenheimer has been a member of Bergen Engine Company Number One of the Carlstadt Fire Department for 27 years, serving as Chief of Department in 2001. He is also a member of the Carlstadt Fire Department Emergency Squad. Chris is the fifth generation Firefighter/ Fire Chief of his family. He is Past President of the Carlstadt Fire Department and of its Exempt Firemen’s Association. Chris is also a member of the Wallington Fire Department Emergency Squad, answering EMS calls as a Certified Emergency Medical Technician and is a long time member of the Wallington Fire Department Comic Team.

Chris is married to Lynn and is employed by the Borough of Carlstadt as Tax Collector, Planning Board Clerk and is a Commissioner on the South Bergen Municipal Joint Insurance Fund where he serves on the Safety Committee. He is a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Edward Williams College and is a NJ Certified Fire Official/Fire Inspector. Chris is a past panelist/presenter for BOCA, (Building Officials and Code Administrators).

Assenheimer is an Honorary Executive Committeeman representing Bergen County and a Life Member of the NJ State Exempt Firemen’s Association where he is State Chairman of the Way’s and Mean’s and Flag Committee. He is a past Secretary and currently serves as President of the Exempt Firemen’s League of Bergen and Passaic Counties, past Secretary and Life Member of the New Jersey and New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association and is a member of the Bergen County Fire Prevention Association and Bergen County Fire Chiefs Association. He is also a member of the South Bergen Mutual Aid Fire Chiefs Association, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, Eastern Division and the Volunteer & Combination Officers Section. He is an Honorary Member of the NJ Metro Fire Photographers Association.

Chris is a lifelong resident of Carlstadt where he is the treasurer of Carlstadt’s School Picnic Committee and Secretary of the Berry Lawn-Charlestown Cemetery Association, Inc. He is an avid Indy Car style race fan and is also a fan of the New York Yankees baseball team.

"My involvement with the NJ State Fire Chiefs is to help provide information to New Jersey’s Firefighters, Officers and Chiefs, for the past, present and future…to keep our brothers and sisters safe and informed".

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Trustee Jean Wypler

Jean A. Wypler was elected to represent the Northern District. He has been a member of the West Caldwell Fire Department for 38 years and was Chief for two years. Jean retired after 26 years as a police officer in West Caldwell.

Wypler is a Past President of the NJ Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators and also a Life Member of the Chapter. He was previously Chair of the State Fire Chiefs’ Arson Committee.

Jean has been married to his wife Nina for 42 years and they have two children; daughter Jackie and son Jean, II.

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Trustee Carl S. Christensen

Carl Christensen joined the Board of Trustees representing the Central district in 2002. Carl was Chief of Iselin Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 in 1969. He has been President and Secretary of the Iselin Colonia Exempt Firemen’s Association and is Secretary of the Iselin Firemen’s Relief Association. He is also a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners.

Christensen is serving as Executive Committeeman from Middlesex County, has served as Manager to the New Jersey Firemen’s Home, and served three years as Vice President of the NJ State Firemen’s Association. Carl is President of the NJ Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute. He was Secretary and President of the NJ State Exempt Firemen’s Association. Carl is a life member of the NJ Volunteer Fire Chiefs’ Association.

Carl’s wife is Betsy and they have four children; Charles, Bruce, Eric, and Bethany. They have ten grandchildren. Carl is a retired Master Plumber. In addition to remaining active in firematic organizations, he enjoys traveling and camping.

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Trustee George R. Cox

George Cox joined Haddon Fire Company No. 1, Haddonfield, in 1961. He was Chief of Department for seven years; retiring in 1996. He has been President and Trustee of the Fire Company. George continues as a volunteer firefighter. He is Secretary-Treasurer of the Haddonfield Exempt Firemen’s Association and Deputy Coordinator in the Haddonfield OEM.

Chief Cox is a life member of the IAFC. He continues as a member of the Camden County Fire Chief’s Association and is a life member of the Camden County Firemen’s Association.

George and his wife Carol Anne, are the parents of three adult children and have nine grandchildren.

George continues his active service as a Camden County Fire Coordinator and a member of the County ISAT Team.

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Trustee William “Bill” Doherty

Bill Doherty has been a volunteer fireman in Florence Township for more than 50 years. He was its President several times in that 50 years. Bill was also the President of the First Aid Squad in Florence Township. In addition he served as President of the Florence Township Exempt Firemen's Association and Vice President of the Florence Township Firemen's Relief Association.

On a wider scale, Doherty was President of the Burlington Exempt Firemen's Association, President of the Burlington County Firemen's Association, and a member of the Legislative Committee of the New Jersey Firemen's Association.

Bill is a Past President of the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen's Association. He established the Firemen's Brigade at Griffin Pipe Products and was its Chief for 10 years. Bill is Chairman of the Finance Committee of the NJ State Firemen’s Association.

Recently, Chief Doherty was appointed Chair of the Pemberton Township Mayor’s “Fire Department Advisory Committee.”

Bill and his wife, Marge, originally retired to Florida but have since returned to New Jersey and now live in Browns Mills.

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Trustee Robert J. Cordes

Robert J. Cordes was elected to a 3-year term as Trustee from the from the Northern Section of the State at the annual meeting in Wildwood in 2007.

Cordes was Chief of the Secaucus Fire Department in 2001 and 2002. Prior to that he served terms as Deputy Chief and Battalion Chief. Bob is a member of Rescue 1–Engine 2 and is also the Company Treasurer.

He retired after 30 years of service as a Mechanic for the United Parcel Service. In retirement he is a school bus driver for the Secaucus Board of Education. And, Recycling Inspector for the Town of Secaucus.

Cordes has been active in many other firematic organizations, including:

• Secaucus Exempt Firemen’s Association; Treasurer and Past President
• NJ Volunteer Fire Chief’s Association
• New Jersey/New York’s Firemen Association
• Exempt Firemen’s League of Bergen and Passaic Counties
• South Bergen County Chief’s Mutual Aid Association (Zone 1), Active Member
• NJ State Exempt Firemen’s Association, Life Member, Ways and Means Committee
• NJ State Firemen’s Association, Life Member
• International Association of Fire Chiefs, Member

Bob and his wife Margaret have three married children; Jennifer Taylor, Kevin Cordes, and Michele Cordes and three grandchildren, Anthony Cordes, Dallas Taylor, and Jack Joseph Cordes.

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Trustee F. Douglas Rue

F. Douglas “Doug” Rue joined the Country Hills Volunteer Fire Company, which covers portions of Bridgewater and Branchburg Townships, some 42 years ago, and has served in all of the Company administrative and line officer positions during that period. Currently he is the Chief, and has been Chief or Assistant Chief for over 25 terms.   Representing his Fire Company, Doug has occupied all officer positions in the Bridgewater and Branchburg Township Firemen’s Associations as well as serving the Bridgewater Township Firemen’s Relief Association as its Treasurer for the last 10 years.

Chief Rue’s experience at the County level started many years ago by participating with the Somerset County Firemen’s Association. He has been its Treasurer since 1983 and has always been involved with its activities including Mutual Aid and Fire School functions before those activities were taken over by the County government during the 1990’s.

Doug was originally appointed to the position of Somerset County Fire Coordinator in 1976 and has continuously operated in that capacity since then.  In that position he has the responsibility for fire mutual aid planning, documentation and large fire scene coordination. As Fire Coordinator he has participated in many County related projects and committees including the Grants Working Group, the County OEM LEPC, Fire Academy Design and Construction Committee, E9-1-1 Implementation, founding member of the HAZMAT Team, Communications Center Coordination, teaching in the Fire Academy, and providing Fire Service representation to various other organizations and committees at the County Level.

At the State level, Rue serves as the Deputy Regional Fire Coordinator for the North West Region and in that capacity routinely interacts with Division of Fire Safety personnel as well as other Fire Coordinators

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