February 4th, 2025 Chapter Minutes

Minutes of Members Meeting #170                         February 4, 2025

The AFSA Members Meeting at Four Points by Sheraton, Richmond VA was called to order by AFSA VA Chapter President Bob Beckwith at 2:00pm.

AFSA members and guests present included:

Bob Beckwith – Cavalier Sprinkler

Tom Klecka – ACI

Craig Smith – Ferguson Fire

Steve McGee – ACI

Chris Amorese – JCI

Adam DaSilva – Hajoca

Hooper Loscomb – Eagle

MaryCatherine Coyle – Eagle

Shawn Walls – Hajoca

Anthony McDaniel – ACI

Jason Gill – CG Fire

Rudy James –  Hajoca

Justin Houser – VSC

Louie Perkins – Summit

Chris Stone – ACI

Roy Orsborne – Fire Tech

Scott Monroe – Zurn

Dominique Rose – VSC

Brandon Harris – Ferguson

Stephen Kirby – Everon

Ryan Baker – Everon

Kris Wright – Chesterfield Fire

Ryan Smith – ODFC

Joe Rainey – Wiley Wilson

Jeff Lewis – VSC

Bruce Allen – Hajoca

Danny Santiago – Fire Tech

George Wagner

Krista Grimes – Viking

Terry Laffey – Viking

Louie Perkins – Summitt

Danielle Fowler – Potter

Anthony Schultz – Eagle

Mark Wagner – Hiller

Allen Barr – Hiller

Bill Meyring – Clark Nexsen

Bev Cocke – Henrico Co

Mac Beaton – Henrico Co.

Tony Gore – Ferguson

Joe Saffer – AFS

Ryan Simmons – ACI

Mark Nunnally – ACI

Chris Born – Clark Nexsen

Chip Halloway – Everon

Josh Shapiro – Reliable

Tyler Wells – Ferguson

Justin Houser – VSC

Chase Mounce – RMI

Bill Jones – Fire Pro

Introductions:

Bob Beckwith opened the meeting by welcoming the board members. Bob asked everyone to introduce themselves. Bob introduced the speakers for today’s meeting.

Treasurer’s report:

Craig Smith, Treasurer, reported that the AFSA Checking account held $30,265.77 and the AFSA Janney investment account held $74,897.97.

Committee Report

  • Legislative:

Hooper reported the following:

Hooper reported that there was not much to report. Hooper is working with Marjorie on the National Level on backflow work. The Home Coalition is still in the process of discussing residential codes.

  • Membership:

Bob reported the following:

Uponor, Everon, Fire Sprinkler Services, Costal Fire, H&E and Wiley Wilson are our newest members that have joined our Chapter starting this year. Thanks, Guys, for y’all’s support.

  • Program:

Tom Klecka reported the following:

This year’s seminar is scheduled for September 18th at Chesterfield Training Facility.

Tom has decided on a couple of topics but is still accepting topic suggestions for this

year’s seminar. Tom is providing lunch from Mission BBQ and promises cookies this

year.

  • Public Relations:

Hooper reported the following Sprinkler Saves:

December 7, 2024, just before 7:00pm, Norfolk Fire-Rescue were called to the Consulate Health Care Facility on Llewellyn Ave. When crews arrived at the scene, they found an electric wheelchair caught fire inside a resident’s home. The sprinkler system in the room helped to douse the flames. One person had to go to the hospital with minor burn injuries. Patients had to be evacuated to unaffected wings but returned to their rooms once the atmosphere was clear. An investigation into what caused the wheelchair to catch fire is still under investigation.

January 6, 2025, an investigation is under way after a fire Monday morning closed a North Suffolk business. Buffalo Wild Wings at 7386 Harbour Towne Parkway in the Harbour View Marketplace area for an alarm around 7:40am. When an officer arrived, all doors were secured and the officer noted water inside the restaurant. Suffolk Fire & Rescue arrived just after 8:10am and found light smoke and several inches of water. It was determined a fire happened in the kitchen area and was put out by the sprinkler system. No fie was found beyond the kitchen. Moderate smoke damage was reported along with water damage. No one was injured and the restaurant is closed for repairs.

  • Social Media Committee:

MaryCatherine reported the following:

MaryCatherine continues to update the AFSA web site and has provided post for the Golf Tournament, Career Fairs, and our 2025 calendar. Any future Career Fairs shall be posted as well. MaryCatherine will be looking for pics to post for all upcoming events.

  • Golf:

Bob Beckwith reported the following:

Bob has secured September 24th as the next AFSA/BSF Golf Tournament at the Williamsburg National Golf Course. Lunch and dinner will be provided by O’Toole’s. Hotel reservation will be available at the Doubletree by Hilton, Williamsburg. Applications for this year tournament will be sent out the end of April.

  • NexGen:

Dominique Rose reported the following:

The putting contest at the beginning of our AFSA Golf Tournament was a tremendous success. Dominique mentioned several ideas going forward to implement to move our NexGen in the right direction. Dominique has agreed to help with the registration with several of our meetings. Dominique is looking for a new vice-chair.

  • Community Projects:

Jeff Lewis reported the following:

The second floor of the Hermitage ACE center is to be built out with student workers and will be starting soon.

The ribbon cutting for the House Project will be announced to take place sometime in April.

Meda Merritt and April Jones from AFSA National will be touring the ACE Building and the House Project along with attending our Members Meeting.

  • Scholarship:

Jason Gill reported the following:

Jason informed everyone that this year’s scholarship has been sent out. Jason encouraged everyone that receives the scholarship application to please post it where all employees have access and are made aware of this opportunity for all upcoming seniors. The deadline for applications to be sent in is April 30th.

  • Education/Apprenticeship:

Jeff Lewis reported the following:

The Henrico Career Fair is scheduled for February 25th at Regency Mall with more than 300 students attending.

Need support for the ACE Building Sprinkler Test Room to get completed.

State program development takes place February 20th – 21st. Currently there are 4 students attending this year with 7 students that have signed up for next year.

The Henrico Mega Career Fair is scheduled for February 11th, which is an all-adult career fair. There are four tables left, if you are interested contact Bec Cocke.

Germanna CC has had their Pipefitter Program approved by the DOL.

  • Code Assistance

Joe Saffer reported the following:

Joe is still working to set up a dedicated email specifically for committee questions. Joe is aiming for a 24-hour turnaround time on responses. Program should aim to supplement more on local AHJ requirements, specific our areas. Need to provide a disclaimer to protect AFSA and the responder.

Old and New Business

  1. Bob Beckwith mentioned how important AFSA membership is driving AHJ free membership. Our AHJ membership is outstanding.
  2. Future Board and Members meeting dates for 2025 are June 3rd, September 23rd, and November 4th.
  3. Next Board and Members meeting shall be at Old Dominion Raceway, Thornburg, VA, June 3rd.
  4. At the conclusion of each member’s meeting a certificate will be available for anyone requiring NICET points. Please identify your need to obtain a certificate when you sign in or notify Steve McGee prior to the meeting to be available after the meeting.
  5. 2025 AFSA National Convention will be held October 15th – 18th at the Gaylord National, Washington DC.
  6. Tom Klecka’s seminar is set for September 18th at Chesterfield Training Facility.
  7. Bob Beckwith has secure 2025 AFSA/BSF golf tournament for September 24th at Williamsburg National.
  8. George Wagner shall be the committee chair to oversee the BSF committee. George will be overseeing the needed to ensure the paperwork and money are properly accounted for. An annual report will be required.
  9. BBQ Gives Back is scheduled for March 21st – 23rd at Beth Page Campgrounds. Bill Jones is accepting any donations to help with this program due to the rising cost of supplies.

Speakers: Our members had two very informative speakers for our April Meeting which created many questions during their presentation.

Presentation Speaker: Bill Jones w/ Fire Pro: discuss what’s involved putting together the BBQ Gives Back contest to be so successful to provide AFSA a donation each of the past 4 years.

Vendor Presentation: Josh Shapiro w/Reliable: showed a video demonstration of the effects of lithium batteries in-racks that caught fire and how the sprinkler system responded.

Our 50/50 drawing was conducted at the end of our meeting with the results of Terry Laffey w/ Viking winning the amount of $82.00 which he donated to the Chapter. Terry was given a surprise gift for returning his portion of the drawing.

 There being no further business, the Members Meeting was adjourned at 2.29pm.