Registration is now open for the 108th Annual Convention in Newark DE. Please help the members of your host the Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Company plan for your visit. Registering in advance allows advance planning and speeds check in when you arrive. Fill out the attached form (a download in this story) and mail or email to Aetna. Golf Tournament Registration and Highway Incident Scene Safety Course Registration forms here too. Click on title of this story to access all forms and agenda.

The Official Convention Hotel is the Sleep Inn 639 S. College Ave, Newark DE 19713. Phone 302-453-1700. 2 Double Beds or Queen Size Room. Special Rate $69 plus tax. Complimentary Deluxe Continental Breakfast, Refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, hairdryer, free high speed internet.

Email: Registration@cvvfa.org

Snail Mail: CVVFA Registration Committee c/o Aetna H.H.&L. Co. Box 148 Newark DE 19715

Miss Erin Morgan Drumheller of the Manchester MD VFD won the Queen Contest at the Maryland State Firemens Association Convention in Ocean City in June. Erin reached the pinnacle of wining a state crown only one year after being crowned Queen of the MD State Fire Chiefs Association. She won the grueling contest competing against a field of very qualified candidates. Erin is a college student. She joined the CVVFA in January and supports the CVVFA highway incident scene safety initiatives throughout Maryland. Erin is scheduled to ride in the 108Th Convention Parade in Newark Delaware.

The CVVFA Training Weekend in Washington County Maryland is canceled due limited interest. Vice President Gregg Yost is working on new date. Thanks to those who expressed interest in the classes.

Paramedic James Garcia from South Carolina could use your help. James was struck and seriously injured while tending to a motor vehicle accident victim in 1994. Given the state of the laws at that time, not only was the driver that struck James found not to be at fault, but James was found to be at fault for being in the roadway! That life-altering incident sent James on a mission to change the laws, and in so doing James became the father of the “move-over” laws now protecting emergency responders in more than 45 states. These laws, spurred on by James’ persistence, have undoubtedly saved the lives of countless emergency responders.
 
James recently set off on a whole new mission. Traveling in 2008 to the jungles of Cambodia, James was “struck” again . . . struck by the Cambodians utter lack of access to any form of modern healthcare. This journey proved just as life-altering as the struck-by incident in 1994, for it inspired James, along with his wife Cara, a registered nurse, and family, to literally move to Cambodia, where they have opened a free clinic to provide health care services. James and his family gave up literally everything they had, and are operating this remarkable effort on less than a shoestring budget. While we are all living through tough times now, James has embarked on a truly extraordinary lifesaving endeavor and the tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization he has created could use any assistance you can offer, including, but not limited to, monetary donations, in-kind equipment and other donations, assistance with grants, and on-the-ground volunteers. You can learn more about James and his mission at the following websites: www.sharethehealthcambodia.org and www.groups.to/sharethehealthcambodia/

Sheet Music performed from the 13th Annual Convention held July 29-31, 1914 in Chambersburg PA has been located and placed in the archives of the Association. The Music was penned by George B. Snyder of Chambersburg. The CVVFA is currently researching Mr. Snyder and will report the findings of his contributions to the Association. It was not uncommon for visiting firemen bands to perform in concert during early conventions in addition to playing during the line of march in the annual parade.

Chief Steve Flickinger of the Citizen's Fire Company of Newport PA is reviewing the music to determine if the Citizen's Fire Company Band can play the music during the 108th Annual Convention in Newark DE some 94 years after the first rendition of the Firemen's March was played.

The CVVFA is also exploring the possibility of having the Music recorded on CVVFA.org where it can be enjoyed world wide on the web.

Download a copy of the music from this article or from the History Download section of this page.

The CVVFA Official Golf Pro Raymond Streets invites the CVVFA "Duffers" to the first Annual CVVFA Golf Tournament at the beautiful Pike Creek Golf Club near Newark DE. Raymond holds down a part time job as a Course Marshal at the club. He has begun what promises to be a new CVVFA tradition, a golf tournament at the Annual convention.

The tournament begins with a shotgun start on Wednesday July 29th at 2:00 PM. Green Fees for CVVFA members are $45 per person. Non member fees are $50 which includes a one year membership in the CVVFA.

Join us at the 19th Hole for pizza beer and sodas located at Aetna Hall when your round is finished.

Download a copy of the flyer in this article, enclose a check payable to AETNA and mail.  Should there be questions email Raymond at Golf@cvvfa.org

Halfway MD January 11-CVVFA President Jerry Daniels welcomed MD State Fire Chief’s Miss Fire Prevention Queen Erin Drumheller and her First Runner up Bobbie Utz. The ladies were accompanied by the “Queen Mother” Lori Drumheller, Erin’s mom. Washington County MD Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association President Glenn Fishack also addressed the assembled Directors, Officers and members. He expressed his appreciation for being invited to the meeting and reviewed his continuing discussions with the County Commissioners about the volunteer fire service in Washington County. Queen Erin expressed her interest in the work of the CVVFA and offered to support the highway incident scene safety project “Protecting Emergency Responders on the Highway. Erin, Bobbie and Lori all joined the CVVFA and left the meeting as members. The Directors and Officers got down to business and adopted a balanced budget for 2009. The revenue side of the budget is based on extra effort by the members to obtain sponsorships for the annual Convention Book. Included in the budget is a new web site for the Reputation Management Project and full funding for the Scholarship Program. 

The meeting minutes are being prepared and will be posted here in due course.
 
 
 

There are many members of our Association that deserve to be recognized at the CVVFA Annual Convention. State Directors are responsible for submitting Recommendations to the Resolutions Committee. Members who wish to recommend a member receive a Resolution should complete the down-loadable application complete the information and obtain the support of a CVVFA Director.

Please use the attached CVVFA Resolution Request Form to gather information about any person or persons from your state you would like to have the CVVFA recognize at the annual Installation Banquet during Convention. Members may also check with your state, county organizations to see if they have individuals they may also be recognizing. Please be sure the person(s) belong to the CVVFA however.they may still receive a Resolution if they join the CVVFA prior to the Convention Banquet.

There is no limit to the number of Resolutions a member may request. However, please do not request a Resolution for someone the CVVFA previously recognized at an earlier Convention unless it is deserved for a different accomplishment or achievement. 

50 Year Members of the CVVFA automatically receive a Resolution, but if there is additional wording to enhance the Resolution simply advise the Recording Secretary with that information.
 
The Resolution Committee does not contact individuals or family members to gather information. There is no prohibition against members, officers and directors contacting family members or fire departments to obtain background.
 
Final date for submitting requests for Resolutions is the May meeting.
 
Remember this procedure is for Resolutions only, and is not to be confused or combined with the E. Wade Thomas Member of the Year Award.
 
Complete and Mail Resolution Requests to:
Joseph W. Bukowski
134 Brookside Blvd.
Newark, DE 19713-2623
 
E-Mail Requests: Jwbukowski@aol.com
 
Download Form by clicking on Icon below or on the title of this article
 
 

Now is the time to be sure your message appears in the 2009 CVVFA Convention Program Book. Sponsorships are available from a full page to patron listing. Publicity Manager Bob Timko pledges this this year the program book will be bigger and better than any book published before. The book is a great way to honor your company or association, a fellow CVVFA member living or deceased or tell readers about your business. Convention Programs record the history of our Association. Don't be left out of the this years book. CLICK ON THE TITLE OF THIS ARTICLE AND DOWNLOAD THE SPONSORSHIP FORM

Past President Harry Alt of the Keyser WV Fire Department continues to feel better as he recovers from recent surgery. Harry says he is taking it easy. According to Harry his recliner is his new best friend. Harry is always happy to hear from his fire service friends and looks forward to returning to his duties as CVVFA West Virginia Director.  

New Creek FD of Mineral County WV previewed their newly acquired 1998 Spartan/Lexington Air/Light/Electrical Unit at the CVVFA Booster Meeting in Keyser. The apparatus was acquired from Marcus Hook PA and specially outfitted to meet the needs of  a rural fire district.

The Unit is listed as a FEMA Resource due to the amount of air on board, a six bottle 6000psi cascade system and a 33.3 CFM Macco compressor. A 85K Oran generator powers a 28ft light tower.

The Unit also carries light duty rescue tools, ventilation and forcible entry equipment. The apparatus also has a RIT bag.

Under the direction of Assistant Fire Chief Dustin Amtower New Creek retrofitted the Air Unit with NFPA 1901-2008 compliant apparatus marking along with cones and high visibility vests. The apparatus marking exceeds the new requirements as striping is installed inside the compartment doors and on the front bumper.

Following best practices Assistant Chief Amtower has ongoing training for all New Creek Firefighters on the proper wearing of traffic vests and how to safely deploy traffic control devices.

Neither New Creek or any of its mutual aid companies have limited access highway or in fact any divided highways. They do respond to a number of motor vehicle incidents on rural roads where visibility is limited and drivers are often speeding. New Creek is an example of a proactive fire department concerned about the safety of their personnel while working on the roadway.

NCVFD is a proud member of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemens Association. Click on title of this article or the camera icon  for more photos.

The Aetna Hose Hook and Ladder Company of Newark Delaware published the Agenda for the 108th Annual Convention July 29.30.31st and August 1. 2009. The Convention celebrates Aetnas 30th year of affiliation with the CVVFA and CVVFA President Jerry Daniels an Aetna Life Member. Click on the title of this article and download the convention schedule. The Convention Room Block is open at the Sleep Inn in Newark. Click on Event/Meeting News tab of the left for this information.

Don't have a shirt to put on your back? No ball cap to keep that bald spot from getting sunburned? No job because you don't have a job shirt?

Not to worry, all you have to do is see your friendly CVVFA Haberdasher Past President Bob Cumberland manager of the Association's New On Line Store. Bob who has been dubbed the "Fashion Plate" of the CVVFA and his trusty fitting room associate Lou Jordon have the latest stock of  high quality Association logo merchandise to dress even the most discriminating CVVFA Member of either gender.

If you are  tired of wearing clothing purchased from your local farmers market or your neighbor's yard sale it's time to step up and dress for success in the fire service by clicking on the CVVFA Store tab to the left of this article.

As Bob is fond of saying "You're going to like how you look" at the CVVFA Store.

CVVFA Instructor and member of the Emergency Responder Safety Institute Chief Allen Baldwin is the new Director of Operations, Safety and Incident Response for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. Allen has a long career in the fire service that includes service as a volunteer in Monroeville PA and currently as an Assistant Chief in Gettysburg Fire Department. He has also served as a career chief in Chambersburg PA FD. Allen serves as the lead instructor of local offerings of the CVVFA courses and is well known in the Mid-Atlantic area for his work in highway incident scene safety. Because of his commitment to the CVVFA Allen arranged for various photo shoots to take place on the PA Turnpike over the last few years to record Best Practices in Traffic Incident Management. Allen is another example of the  high caliber membership of the CVVFA. 

Official announcement from George M. Hatalowich Chief Operating Officer PA Turnpike Commission: I am pleased to announce that effective Friday; Allen W. Baldwin has been promoted to Director of Operations, Safety & Incident Response as a result of the reorganization of this department.  This reorganization was one of the recommendations made by the State Auditor General's compliance audit of the Commission's safety, response, and operations.  Allen will be a direct report to me and the new department was restructured to encompass the operations center, safety, emergency response, PSP, ITS, and network control. Allen has been with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission since March 2001 and has an extensive background in emergency services, safety and incident response.  Before coming to the Commission, he served as the Fire and Emergency Services Chief for Chambersburg Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of Point Park University and the Community College of Allegheny County.  He has been a dedicated employee who brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Commission, and I look forward to working with him.  Allen resides in Gettysburg, with his wife Julie and son Ryan.  

Charlie and Vivian Myers received significant awards at the 129thAnnual Convention of the Firemens Association of the State of Pennsylvania (FASP) and the 95th annual Ladies Auxiliary convention held in Gettysburg during the last week of September.

Charlie received the James Miller “A” Memorial Award for the Firefighter of the Year Award the highest honor bestowed by the Association. Charlie was FASP President in 2001. In addition he received the President's Dinner Award at the Annual Past President's Banquet. Charlie retired from Hoffman Mills in Shippensburg PA after working on the night shift for 45 years. In 1965 he began working part time at Fogelsanger Bricker Funeral Home where he is still employed. Charlie began his firefighting career in 1960 as a wildland firefighter. He is a life member and Chief Emeritus of the Vigilant Hose Company #1 of Shippensburg. Charlie served as President of the Cumberland County Volunteer Firemens Association for 18 years. Currently he serves as a fire police officer. He was appointed PA Forrest Fire Warden in 1975.

 

Vivian Myers served as President of the State Ladies Auxiliary Association. She received the FASP Ladies Auxiliary Woman of the Year Award presented to her service in working on the banquet committee and in many other roles in the Auxiliary. Vivian is Life Skills Aid at the James Burd School in Shippensburg where she has worked for 23 years. Her current duties include working with special needs children. Vivian is a member of Vigilant Hose and a member of the Auxiliary.

Both Vivian and Charlie are very active members of the CVVFA. Charlie served two terms as President in 1989 and 1993. Charlie and Vivian seldom miss an event especially a parade. The break up area at Gettysburg found the two talking with friends from all corners of the Commonwealth. Members like the Myers are what make the CVVFA a great organization.