NJ Division of Fire Safety: TEL (609) 633-6106 FAX (609) 633-6134

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

MEMBERS PRESENT: Daniel DeTrolio, Bill Illge, Justin Lizza, Ralph Castellano, Joyce Lynch, Marc Kiempisty, Bernie Cohan, Vincent Corsaro.

DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY STAFF: Jerry Clark, Charles Lavin, Charlie Luxton.

I. OPENING

Chairman Daniel DeTrolio called the meeting to order at 10:30 AM.

Chairman DeTrolio called for a moment of silence in honor of New Jersey Fire Safety Commissioner C. Kenneth Anderson, who recently passed away. The entire Public Education Advisory Council offered their thoughts and prayers for Ken and his family, and spoke highly of his contribution to the fire service, both in New Jersey and nation-wide.

II. FIRE IS…

Charlie Luxton gave a brief update about the ongoing “Fire Is” fire safety education campaign. He said that Andy Stratton, who has enthusiastically taken the lead on this program, was recently at a conference in Massachusetts to introduce them to the “Fire Is” program. Mr. Stratton, as well as the DVD and program involving the schools, was very well received by the attendees.

III. NEW JERSEY F.I.R.E. BOWL

Charles Lavin reported that the Final event of the 2011 New Jersey FIRE Bowl was held on May 18^th at Kean University. The competition saw Primary Prep of Jersey City defeat Carteret Middle School. The even was hosted by News 12 New Jersey’s Tony Caputo, who did a great job in managing the program and moving it along. The FIRE Bowl got some coverage on the News 12 New Jersey newscast statewide the day of the competition, as well as the following day. Chairman DeTrolio commented that the Final Event was a great day and he is always impressed with the knowledge and ability of the students involved. Also, Mr. Lavin commented that there was a lot of support this year from the Department of Community Affairs administration. Deputy Commissioner Betty Lou DeCroce attended and spoke at the program, which was much appreciated.

Mr. Lavin again thanked the FIRE Bowl sponsors for their on-going support. They are Hartz Mountain Industries (trip luncheon), the NJ State FMBA (trip luncheon), IMTT-Bayonne (t-shirts), and Joshua Marcus Group (awards/medals). Event hosts Kean University also did a tremendous job in donating their facilities and staff to make the Final event a great success. The NJDFS is hoping to have the same team all together for next year’s program.

Heading into the 2011-2012 school year, the Division of Fire Safety is looking to continue the expansion of the FIRE Bowl program. Hopefully two new school districts can be added to the mix, for a total of eight.

IV. POSTER CONTEST

Charles Lavin explained to the Public Education Advisory Council a recent debate that had been going on regarding the theme for the 2011-2012 Fire Safety Poster Contest. Classically, the theme for the New Jersey has always coincided with NFPA’s theme – which is “Protect Your Family From Fire” this year. However, the NJ Fire Prevention & Protection Association has been insistent on changing the theme to “Fire Sprinklers Save Lives”. The NJFPPA and NJDFS have been partners in this program for many, many years.

Aside from causing mass confusion in diverting the theme from the NFPA’s (which local organizations order materials from for promotion each year), the Division of Fire Safety and the State can not be a part of a contest with the theme that the NJFPPA is suggesting. Any Poster Contest that the Division of Fire Safety will be involved with this year will include the theme “Protect Your Family From Fire”. Whether the NJFPPA decides to continue the partnership using this theme – or go off in a different direction and separate contest – is yet to be determined. Once this is hashed out, materials will be sent out and posted on the NJDFS website.

The Public Education Advisory Council voted unanimously to support the theme “Protect Your Family From Fire” as set out by the NFPA’s national campaign for Fire Prevention Week.

Ralph Castellano and Vincent Corsaro revisited the issue of computer-generated posters being in a separate category. This was spoken about last year and was determined not to be feasible. However, Mr. Lavin said he would inquire about the possible addition of an 8^th Division consisting of all the computer-generated posters. Once it is determined who is involved in this year’s contest, that topic can be discussed.

V. SMOKE DETECTORS.

Charlie Luxton reported that 13,000 smoke detectors were received this year via the ABC-7 Operation Save-a-Life program. There are roughly 7,000 remaining and are available for distribution at the Kinder Morgan facility in Carteret. Discussions have continued regarding the addition of CO detectors to future programs, but this does not seem to be on the horizon. Mr. Luxton thinks it is a cost issue for Kidde and the NJDFS is more than happy to be getting that they currently get. If CO detectors are included in the future, that would be a bonus.

VI. JUVENILE FIRESETTERS

Charlie Luxton reported that the 9^th Annual Juvenile Firesetter Conference is scheduled for December 1^st and 2^nd 2011. The idea this year is to run the program through Kean University to avoid some of the issues and snags that have cropped up in recent years with the Department of Community Affairs.

The Juvenile Firesetter Prevention Advisory Council has also voted to forego their July meetings going forward due to lack of attendance.

VII. NEW BUSINESS

The Public Education Advisory Council voted to change their meetings back to Wednesdays, starting in September. This is to avoid a scheduling conflict with the Juvenile Firesetter Prevention Advisory Council going forward. The meetings will be held exactly a week prior to all New Jersey Fire Safety Commission meetings, which have also been changed back to Wednesdays.

VIII. SCHEDULING OF NEXT MEETING & ADJOURNMENT

The next meeting of the Public Education Advisory Council is scheduled to take place at 10 A.M. on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 at the Middlesex County Fire Academy.

With no further business to conduct, Chairman DeTrolio adjourned the meeting at 11:50 am.