All meetings of the Firefighters Association are held on the third Wednesday of each month. The location for this month's meeting can be found on the BCFA Meetings page.
Life member and an integral element of the Association, Chief Joseph Arnao left us and will not be forgotten. " Joe" Arnao took particular pleasure in motioning for a round of applause for the Ladies Auxiliary, if present, and to the hosting Company, in their absence, for their hospitality. The business of the Association would stop for the motion to be presented and it was always carried unanimously!
Association Past President C. Kenneth Anderson has been awarded the Burlington County Emergency Services Lifetime Achievement Award . "Ken" Anderson received the award during the graduation ceremony of the County Emergency Services Training Center on June 26th, 2008.
The 2008 Memorial Service was held on May 21st.
The Burlington County Firefighters Association invited the emergency services organiztions of Burlington County to join us in honoring those who had lost their lives in the line of duty. Due to threatening weather, the service was moved to the Emergency Services Training Center on Wednesday, May 21st at 19:30 hours. Immediately following the service, the Firefighters Association met in the training center auditorium.
The Burlington County Firefighters Association of New Jersey wants volunteers to help with the organization and implementation of the Burlington County Memorial Service that will be held every year in May. The Association will be the lead organization for planning and organizing the Burlington County Memorial Service. We are calling upon our Member Companies to send their delegates to help make the Memorial Service a memorable one. We want delegates who are willing to be a part of every aspect of the job needed to hold a successful service.
The Firefighters Association is well represented.
One of our delegates holds a seat on the Burlington County Emergency Services Advisory Board and we are one of the members of the County Emergency Services Service Awards Committee. The representative of a volunteer fire services organization on the New Jersey State Fire Safety Commission is a member of our Association. The ideas and opinions of this Association are heard because our delegates bring them to the Advisory Board and Awards Committee as well as the County Chiefs, Fire Marshals, and Fire Police Associations. Volunteers are wanted to continue to serve the needs of the Firefighters, E.M.T.’s, and ultimately the citizens of Burlington County.
Any number of members of any department or company may be delegates to the Association. We meet on the third Wednesday of every month at 20:00 hours. Meeting locations are published in the Emergency Services News, on the Burlington County Fire Chiefs website, and on the Firefighters Association website.
The Burlington County Firefighters' Association of the State of New Jersey was organized at Relief Engine Company on Chester Avenue in Moorestown on November 17, 1915. The date, November 17, was the third Wednesday of November in 1915. The third Wednesday is still the traditional meeting day for the Firefighters Association.
Ray Di Patri
Association Secretary
The Firefighters Association Memorial Service for deceased Burlington County Firefighters is held in Moorestown at the November meeting each year. The 2007 Memorial Service was held at Moorestown Station 311 on November 28th, the fourth Wednesday, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Association Chaplain Reverend Philip W. Stowell led the service. Past President Kenneth Anderson read for the First Lesson from "Wisdom 3:1-5" and for the Second Lesson from "John 14:1-6". After a Meditation by Reverend Stowell, Secretary Ray DiPatri read the role of deceased firefighters after which Fire Marshal Robert Worrell rang the last bell for them. Twenty-eight deceased firefighters from nineteen stations were honored.
This Association welcomes all firefighters. More than one member attending from any company is encouraged. Those interested may attend the next monthly meeting or contact association President Jeff Boileau at jeffreyboileau@comcast.net or the Association Secretary Ray Di Patri at rdipatri@mtps.com