Meeting Report - March, 2005

After close to fifty members enjoyed a wonderful dinner, President Steve Velasquez opened the March 24 meeting at the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department in Great Neck.

added note: (4/1/05): left out of the original posting! Special thanks to Fire News for the theater tickets given away as raffle prize.

Steve led with the pledge to the flag and told the members that 13 of them had taken 27 tests the night before at SUNY – Farmingdale. Chris Lo Preto, our own Sayville mechanic and former LIEVT president, who moonlights as a professor of automotive engineering, had conducted a class to prepare them for the test. He plans to do the same for the next test which will be held on a Saturday morning in June. Chris had arranged for this past test to be held on a weekday evening which earned praise from member Phil Santoli. LIEVT sponsored the test and paid for the proctor. He mentioned the questionnaire that Kit handed each attendee. He stressed the importance of the website, http://www.lievt.org and urged the members to become familiar with it. More folks seem to be using it. He pointed out the literature that was available for the members.

Steve introduced and thanked Commissioner Robert DeVito and Chief Mechanic Tim Gould of Lakeville-Manhasset. He presented each with the LIEVT Chef’s Helmet and a recognition plaque for the department.

Gordie Harris, northeast regional manager from Elkhart Brass, was introduced. He talked about his long association with this organization and displayed all their new products and answered questions about their features. He also talked about their very liberal refurbishing program. In addition to a selection of literature, each member received a pen and their choice of beautiful American Firefighter Art Series. Steve presented him with a recognition plaque.

Manhasset-Lakeville have had recent deliveries of KME and Crimson Fire Apparatus. They are well pleased and we invited both companies to have people on hand who could answer any questions our members might have. They each made a generous contribution to the association.

Jim Duncan was snow-bound at the KME plant in Nesquehoning. Tom Murray and Steve Applebaurm stepped in to represent KME. The early arrivals saw their new apparatus and the later group saw their older KME which responded to a call during the dinner.

John Greible, Northeast Regional Manager of Crimson and Andy Buglione were on hand to answer any questions our members had when they looked at the Crimson.

Steve presented KME and Crimson with LIEVT recognition plaques.

The treasurer, Paul Sailon reminded the members to please pay their dues. They get quite a few good meals and education for the $35. annual dues. The form is on the website. He also reminded the members that the association will reimburse members who attend Firehouse Expo in Baltimore – July 28-30 up to $100 for their fare on Southwest. Keep the stub or proof of purchase and submit with Firehouse badge.

Vice-President Tom Probst talked about the Society of Fleet Supervisors Expo-05 which will be held on Wednesday, April 27 from 3 to 7 PM at the New Hyde Park Inn at 214 Jericho Turnpike in New Hyde Park. He has free tickets – Call him at 631-424-8354 or order online http://www.sfsny.org. If you don’t have a ticket, there will be a $10 charge at the door. There will be displays, technical representatives, food and door prizes.

Kovatch donated travel and attaché bags as well as shirts for the raffle. Elkhart gave pens with a lifetime guarantee and shirts. Crimson donated many tickets to a fishing trip.

Watch this website http://www.lievt.org for the next meeting date.