Local firefighters and first aid squad officers sworn in

Vernon - First aid squad officers and firefighters from Vernon and its associated localities were sworn in at a council meeting on Feb. 27. Deputy Mayor Neil Desmond read each officer’s name, and the members then walked to the front of the meeting room and pledged to serve the township for yet another year. Following the ceremony, McAfee Fire Department Treasurer John Devlin told the mayor and council that he is concerned about being able to reward the hardworking volunteers who give 300 or more hours in their service to the township each year. Devlin remarked that the Vernon fire companies had investigated the merits of using the New Jersey Emergency Services Volunteer Length of Service Award Program, known as LOSAP, and had decided that the amount of paperwork the fire companies would be required to do to qualify outweighed possible benefits. The program, which was signed into law in 1998, provides a means for a municipality to contribute funds into a tax-deferred investment for active volunteer members of an emergency service organization. Under the program, a municipality may invest the money in mutual funds or annuities on behalf of the volunteers. Devlin said that after examining the program, the firefighters said, “This isn’t for us.” Councilman Ira Weiner remarked that the program sounds good on paper, but the stacks of paper it generates are too high and too numerous. Instead, Devlin proposed that the township grant a clothing allowance to each volunteer. He observed that several other towns in Sussex County, including Franklin and Ogdensburg, provide such allowances to their volunteer squads. “We rip up T-shirts and jeans when we go off to fight fires, and an allowance for new clothing would really help,” Devlin said. While Marc Wtulich, president of the Vernon Township Ambulance Squad, agreed with Devlin that a clothing allowance would help volunteers, he emphasized the problems the squad was having recruiting volunteers, especially for the daytime shifts. Vernon has 31 active ambulance squad volunteers, all of whom invest many hours in training. Wtulich explained that, unlike firefighters who are summoned when fires break out, ambulance crews work 12-hour shifts on weekdays, and 24-hour shifts on weekends. “People burn out after about five years,” Wtulich said. “It’s hard to keep a fully staffed ambulance corp.” He asked the council for help in funding an advertising program to draw new members. Councilman Austin Carew observed that some towns had been hiring salaried ambulance squads. He called for the council to come up with ideas about how to retain and recruit volunteers so that Vernon can avoid the heavy expenses associated with paid first-aid services. Councilman Phil Weiler and Carew agreed to serve as a committee of two to research the issue. Officers for 2006 Highland Lakes Fire Department Chief - Judy Thomas Assistant Chief - Neil Perrotta Captain Training Officer - Ted Warnet Lieutenant - Tim Davis Lieutenant - Karen Davis Lieutenant - Ryan Crotty President - Charley Gueritey Vice President - Jimmy Kensek Secretary - John Paradiso Treasurer - Emil Izzo McAfee Fire Department Chief - Herb Courtright Assistant Chief - George Olsen Captain - Rich Dalyrmple Lieutenant - Robin Williamson Lieutenant - Mike Casbarro Lieutenant - Ray Devlin Safety Officers - Marla Kinsella and John Devlin President - Jon Rockwell Vice President - Ray Schamble Secretary - - Roy Metz Treasurer - John Devlin Pochuck Valley Fire Department Chief - Darren Gable Assistant Chief - John Cosh Captain - Martin Korngut First Lieutenant - Will Reinhart Second Lieutenant - Mark Cosh President - Rich Cosh Vice President - Tom Myslinski Secretary - Sean McGovern Treasurer - Terry Myslinski Vernon Fire Department Chief - Jerry Osterhoudt Assistant Chief - Greg Carter Captain - Chris Begg First Lieutenant - Joe Robibero Second Lieutenant - Mike Delatorre President - John Auberger Vice President Judy Bissell Secretary - George Rice Treasurer - Fred Van Leten Glenwood-Pochuck Volunteer Ambulance Corps Captain - Roy Meyers III Lieutenant - Joseph Fischbach President - Tara Meyers Vice President - Sean Brady Secretary - Stefanie Meyers Treasurer - Sue Dementher Vernon Ambulance Squad Captain - Chris Jensen Assistant. Captain - Mike Emmerich First Lieutenant - Jane Van Sweden Second. Lieutenant - Ron Bernier President - Mark Wtulich Vice President - Jen Robine Secretary - Jeanette Emmerich Treasurer - Andrea Cocula