Minutes of the November 2025 Meeting

This month?s meeting was held at the Riverhead Fire Department Headquarters on Thursday November 13. The meeting was called to order by Vice President Brendan DeGraff at 19:47 hours with a salute to the flag followed by a moment of silence with 41 members present. Members were treated to a delicious dinner served by members of the host Department. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

Barbara opened a discussion about purchasing a gift and plaque for President John Manetta as he has chosen to step down at this time. Motion made for Barbara to move forward with the purchase.

Lengthy discussion regarding the positions of President and Vice President moving forward. Motion passed that Vice President DeGraff will fill the vacant President position and nominations for a vice President will continue at the December Meeting.

Jeff Gaskin reported on the newly formed FAMA Fire Apparatus Symposium, next year?s program will be held on November 2nd and 3rd in Orlando. The discussion that followed leaned toward the FAMA conference being a better choice than the FDSOA program that has gone downhill with regards to EVT training.

Jeff has been in communication with instructors that will provide specific EVT test preparation and he will continue to gather information to discuss the local training at our next meeting. Jeff requested that if anyone knows of or hears of anyone providing this sort of training that they please get the contact info to Barbara. Brendan and Jeff will work on an electronic survey to question members on what tests they would like to see given locally.

Talk of testing and being or becoming certified moved to then discussing the benefits as well as pros and cons of certifying with insurance and liability being the main factors discussed.

The meeting adjourned at 21:05 hours Minutes by Roy Ekelund