September 18 and 19, 2026
18 committee members signed in and 16 non-committee and 6 members attended on zoom.
The Executive Board meeting was held and the budget for 2027 was approved as presented.
President Whitmore introduced Representative Joe McAndrew, who addressed the group. PA Fire Commissioner Tom Cook gave a report and stated that the Commissioner’s office does support relief reform, but his office cannot introduce legislation. There is a slight reduction in this year’s relief amounts being distributed. All relief expenses must be pre-approved at a relief meeting. The grant cycle is now open and closes at 4 pm on October 22. Lois Martin, President of the Ladies Auxiliary welcomed everyone. Matt Brown, Administrator of the Allegheny County Department of Emergency Services was introduced and spoke as well.Diane Ginter, representing The Pennsylvania Fallen Firefighters Foundation, gave a stimulating presentation on the plans for a PA Firefighter memorial to be located near Somerset.
It will be a “remember me rose garden”. It was stated that if every fire company in PA donated $300, this would become reality.A motion was made and approved to contribute $10,000 from the FASP. <
Dave Duckworth reported on our current finances and included the report on investments.
Kim Costello’s report showed 652 individual members, 500 company members and 49-100% companies representing 2420 members.
Two by-law changes were read for the 2nd reading and both were approved.2 year terms of offices and nominations being changed to July will take effect.
Red Flegal brought up the Federal CARES Act under law and legislation. Every PA official should be on the list in support of this. February 18 will be the date for the Breakfast on the Hill in Washington DC. There is a Capitol rally planned for September 28 in Harrisburg regarding online raffles etc. Brian Connely mentioned that Jim Carstater is having health issues and the legislative committee is being revamped with the plan to bolster the relationships with our partner organizations.
Bernadette Rose is the key contact person for the 2026 Conference in Penn Hills and the 2027 conference in Verona. . Her phone number is 814-243-1228.
Kim Costello reported that there have been two future requests for the hosting of our conference. 2027 is Verona FD Station 28 and 2028 is Buchanan Valley. In the future, the convention committee is looking at moving the July meeting to the center of the State and also combining the ladies dinner, the gooseneck dinner and the President’s dinner into one on Friday evening.
Nominations were held and the following were nominated:
President-Brian Connely
Sr. VP-Sandra Waybrant
Western VP-Ruth Hereda
Eastern VP-Jay Reigh
Central VP-James Hoerner
Chaplains-Marshall Lillie and Peter Keady
NW Director-Vacant
SW Dir.-Thomas Shank
NC Dir. – Brian Phelps
SC Dir.-Vacant
NE Dir.-Paul Lukus
SE Dir.-Bob Timko
Executive Board Chair-Martin Wetmore
The Secretary, Larry Baughman, cast the unanimous ballot for all offices.
Jim Fox gave a report on the 911 Advisory committee.
Deanna Force, will attend the NVFC meeting in Kentucky in September.
Red Flegal reported on the IAFC legislative Hot Sheet.
Bill Jenaway gave a detailed report on the SAFER grant program and discussed several issues with the Feds on our grant reimbursements submitted. There are certain items not permitted any longer. Several requests were approved for payment out of the grant now that the money has started to come through. We will also attempt to tie in with Fire Commissioner’s website to share information. Inexpensive display boards are available for purchase at a cost of $285 each.
The Ladies Auxiliary presented their annual awards to start the day on Saturday.
President’s Dinner attendance is down significantly.
Beau Crowding gave the fire training report. American Hose Company 1 and Cambria County Regional Fire Association applied for grants since the last meeting and they were approved by a motion. The committee’s budget was discussed and approved with an increase to $15,000.
A motion was made to allow the public relations committee to look at the process involving zoom meetings.
JC Tedorski swore in the new slate of officers for 2027, which will take office on January 1.
Larry Baughman gave the scholarship report as part of the start of the Annual awards program. For 2026-2027 academic year a total of 33 students were approved in the amount of $1000 each pending appropriate documentation. 13 applicants from the southeast, 1 from north central, 4 from south central, 5 from northwest, 1 from northeast and 9 from the southwest. The list of names and hometowns were read by Larry.
Awards chair, Tom Shank then opened the awards committee presentations. His wife Amie Shank emceed the program and representatives from Provident and VFIS assisted in the awards presentations along with the committee.
Tom Shank presented a resolution to Martin Wetmore, from Penn Hills VFC.
Kathy Snauffer then announce to the group and presented the annual President’s dinner award via Zoom to Kenneth Beam.
