BERRIEN COUNTY FIREFIGHTER’S ASSOCIATION
Serving Berrien County Firefighters Since 1950
Berrien County Firefighters Information Website: w3.qtm.net/bctfd/
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 Minutes
St. Joseph City Fire Department
Meeting called to order at 1933 hours by President Karl Tillman.
Roll call of officers indicated officers present, President Karl Tillman, First Vice President Denny Sexton,
2nd Vice President Robin Sanders, and Secretary/Treasurer Jim Curran.
Officers Absent: None
Roll call of departments indicated 18 departments represented with 48 members present.
The donations received for dinner is in the amount of $126.00 and 50/50 of $92.00.
June minutes were reviewed. Motion by Cory Burks with support from Roger Tumbleson to approve the
June minutes as presented. Motion Carried.
The June treasurers report was presented. Motion by Roger Tumbleson with support from Dale Stover to
approve the June treasurers report. Motion Carried.
Bills submitted for payment: None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
911 Committee: Rich Knuth – Dale Stover reported for Rich and states that phase III of communications is
to simulcast the signal. This is being worked on at this time. There are dispatcher openings and if you are
interested please log onto berriencounty.org.
Emergency Management: Mike Bradley – reports the decon training with two different departments have
been completed and went very well.
DNR: Mike Pine – None
Chiefs’ Association: Bruce Stover – reports the pagers are in to TelRad and will be programmed according
to the grant specifications. This includes channels available for each individual department.
Dispatch: Denny Sexton – reports other committees have covered dispatch information.
Training Committee: Cory Burks – reported for Skip Munson, who was present at the meeting, that
information packets will be available at the August meeting on FF I & II and FO I & II classes. There is an
upcoming class on AEP high power line training.
Resource Directory: Gerry Kabelman – reports to send any updates to him at: gerrykabelman@mail.com.
HazMat: Chris Corteville – None.
OLD BUSINESS: Skip Munson was acknowledged and welcomed back from his open heart surgery.
NEW BUSINESS: Mike Davidson advised the membership of an ill firefighter in Lake Township Michigan,
who needs assistance with medical bills. Motion by Pete Fister with support from Rob Gruener to donate the
50/50 proceeds to the firefighter. Motion carried. Mike then asked any member who wished to donate on
their own to place their donation in a can at the officers table. $125.00 will be donated on behalf of the
Berrien County Firefighters Association to Chief Craig Ackerberg from Baldwin, MI.
COMMUNICATIONS: Angie LaVanaway from the Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross,
addressed the membership, where she thanked everyone for their support of the pancake breakfasts which
raised money to help the chapter. Angie also advised, the public after hours phone number has been changed
to 866-568-5607.
Sheriff Bailey advised the membership that Bill Farhat is leaving the department. Bill has taken a job as
assistant Fire Chief with the University of Notre Dame. We wish Bill well in his new endeavor.
Dale Stover advised the membership that Coloma/Hagar F.D. is buying all new gear and if anyone is
interested in buying equipment for their own department, they can add to the Coloma/Hagar list to get a
quantity discount. Contact Dale or Randy at Coloma/Hagar F.D.
Dan Durham advised the membership of a charity softball tournament to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy
Association. The tournament is scheduled for Saturday, August 25th @ 10:00AM. Contact Rod Blaylock,
Benton Twp. F.D. at 269-921-3428.
Host Chief Kevin Luhrs thanked everyone for coming.
Meeting adjourned at 2105 hours.
Respectfully submitted,
Jim Curran
Secretary/Treasurer
The next meeting will be held on August 15, 2007
at the Berrien County Fairgrounds
Dinner will be at 1830 hours, followed by the meeting at 1930 hours.