October 8th, 2024 Chapter Minutes

Minutes of Members Meeting #168                                 October 8, 2024

The AFSA Members Meeting at Double Tree by Hilton, VA was called to order by AFSA VA Chapter President Bob Beckwith at 1:00pm.

AFSA members and guests present included:

Bob Beckwith – Cavalier Sprinkler

Chris Pickford – Victaulic

Tom Klecka – ACI

Craig Smith – Ferguson Fire

Steve McGee – ACI

Chris Amorese – JCI

Joe Saffer – America

Danielle Fowler – Potter Electric

Adam DaSilva – Hajoca

Hooper Loscomb – Eagle

Anthony Shultz – Eagle

MaryCatherine Coyle – Eagle

Shawn Walls – Hajoca

Josh Shapiro – Reliable

Brandon Harris – Ferguson

Eric Pegram – Mosley

Tori Loefle – Hiller

Jason Gill – CG Fire

Katie Meehan – VSC

Mike Meehan – VSC

Rudy Jones –  Hajoca

Woody – Victaulic

Steve Tajer – ASC

Jack Medovich – Summit

Margaret Beckwith – Cavalier

Nick Armbrister – BFPE

Dominique Rose – VSC

Tommy Clements – VSC

Jeff Lewis – VSC

Andrew Scholle – Cornet

Louie Perkins – Summit

Asa Baskins – Summit

Bob Caputo – AFSA National

Linda Biernacki – AFSA National

Chris Stone – ACI

John Leyton – ACI

Joe Saffer – AFS

Karen Saffer – AFS

Ayden Saffer – AFS

Dan Stack – AFS

Kaira Ednie – AFS

Andy Anderson – AFS

Joseph Solomon – Core & Main

Introductions:

Bob Beckwith opened the meeting by welcoming the board members. Bob advised everyone that the speakers for today’s meetings will be Bob Caputo w/AFSA National and Jeff Lewis w/ VSC. Bob then asks all the attending members to introduce themselves.

Treasurer’s report:

Craig Smith, Treasurer, reported that the AFSA Checking account held $29,211.58 and the AFSA Janney investment account held $70,732.58

Committee Report

  • Legislative:

Hooper reported the following:

Not much with the Board of Contractors. Two Board members terms ends, one an electrician and one a general contractor. Not sure what effects this will have on our chapter. Home Fire Coalition spoke at National Board for Housing for the State of VA, there are revisiting new residence housing.

  • Membership:

Bob reported the following:

Bob Beckwith spoke with Ben Davis with Coastal Fire in Chesapeake, VA. Coastal is expected to join in 2025.

  • Program:

Tom Klecka reported the following:

The seminar was a sellout and a huge success. Bob Denhardt was the main speaker and Jay Davis with the State Fire Marshal’s office was available for questions. Victaulic sponsored lunch from Mission BBQ. Tom will be in contact with Chesterfield to set a date for 2025. Tom is accepting suggestions for next year’s seminar.

  • Public Relations:

Hooper reported the following Sprinkler Saves:

  • August 1, 2024, Lynchburg, VA Nursing Home, fire crew responded to a fire at Lynchburg Health & Rehab, boxes located in a shower room in the facility caught fire just after noon. Residents used extinguishers on the fire, and the sprinkler systems kicked in and help finish the job by the time firefighters arrived. Chief

Mike Reeves said since the fire originated in a shower room, it’s unlikely it would have spread, although there was some lingering smoke in the area. The initial call indicated there may have been oxygen present in the room, but Reeves said they only observed two small bottles that may have been empty. The fire marshal will investigate to determine the cause.

  • August 25, 2024, fire crews say no one was injured in a Charlottesville Apartment fire Sunday morning. Crews say the call for a fire on Carlton Ave. fire came in just before 8am. Once on the scene crews say they worked to put out a small fire. There is slight water damage from a sprinkler head, according to the Charlottesville Fire Department and the cause in still under investigation.

The Red Cross is assisting displaced residents.

  • Social Media Committee:

MaryCatherine reported the following:

MaryCatherine has been keeping the AFSA website updates with the Home Sprinkler System installation status. Provide a recap of the last golf meeting and continuing to update the AFSA & BSF web sites. She will be adding the Minutes of the latest Members Meeting. She will be posting numerous seminars from the National Convention. As well as posting the Golf Tournament reactions from tomorrow’s event. Lastly, she will be posting the Letter of Proclamation from the Governor for the work the Chapter has been involved with Henrico Co.

  • Golf:

Bob Beckwith reported the following:

Bob reported 244 golfers, a sellout, are ready to participate in tomorrow’s Tournament. Lunch and dinner will be provided by O’Toole’s. Bob promises fantastic weather and an all-around great day. Lots of prizes and award will be handed out at the end of the tournament.

  • NexGen:

Tori Loefke reported the following:

NexGen is sponsoring a putting contest prior to the golf tournament with great prizes. Starting November Tori is putting together monthly meetings looking for new ideas. Looking to sponsor the Men’s Mental Health Awareness in June. Lastly, she is looking into putting together a Career Fair /Rodeo similar to that of Henrico Co. Tori’s goal is to get younger participants to get involved which is an investment for the future of this industry. Tori has agreed to help with the registration with several of our meetings.

  • Community Projects:

Jeff Lewis reported the following:

Bob Beckwith will be participating in the Hire Education conference on October 23rd.

The Skills curriculum Development is scheduled for February 20 – 21 for the Fire Protection Program. Currently there are four students signed up.

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

The ribbon cutting for the House Project is scheduled for April 1st. After which the house will be put on the market to sell.

  • Scholarship:

Jason Gill reported the following:

Jason mentioned the winner of 2024 scholarship, Conner Pegram. Jason will be providing information for next year’s scholarship coming out in January.

 

  • Education/Apprenticeship

Bob Beckwith reported the following:

Jeff Lewis, Joe Saffer, and Bob Beckwith are working with Germanna Community College October 23 – 24. Bob to speak on Apprenticeship Programs offered though AFS. Our goal to have information on-line for more access.

Lastly, our goal is to allow students who complete this program to get credit for the first year of the sprinkler fitter apprenticeship. Henrico’s pilot program for this will proceed and be available this fall; they have students signed up for it but need a teacher.

Old and New Business

  1. Bob Beckwith mentioned how important AFSA membership is driving AHJ free membership. Our AHJ membership is outstanding.
  2. Future dates for 2025 Board & Member Meetings: February 4th, April 1st, June 3rd, October 7th, and November 4th
  3. At the conclusion of each members meeting a certificate will be available for anyone requiring NICET points. Please identify your needs to obtain a certificate when you sign in or notify Steve McGee prior to the meeting to be available after the meeting.
  4. Tom Klecka’s to secure a date for next year’s seminar.
  5. Bob Beckwith is secure a date for next year’s golf tournament.
  6. Need to address Members to pay their annual dues to maintain status with AFSA.
  7. Tom Klecka’s tenure with AFSA Board expires at the end of 2024. Ballots will go out in December for sprinkler contractors to vote for Tom for another term or nominate a person of your choice.
  8. Bob suggested our chapter have a Code Committee to help with members with local code requirements. Joe Saffer to head up this committee. Joe to provide an agenda prior to a Board vote to proceed.
  9. Bob & George suggested to have a committee chair to oversee the BSF. Due to the size of this foundation oversight is needed to ensure the paperwork and monies are properly accounted for. An annual report will be required. Anyone interested to be part of this committee contact Steve McGee

 

Speakers: Members had two very informative speakers which created many questions during their presentation.

  1. Program: Bob Caputo w/ AFSA National. Bob discusses what’s new with AFSA and how AFSA can help all the chapters.
  1. Vendor Presentation: Jeff Lewis w/ VSC. Jeff discusses the Henrico Co Home Project and the help he has received from any of our vendors and contractors.

50/50 drawing was conducted at the end of our meeting, Linda Bernacki was the winner in the amount of $114.00 which she donated the entire amount to the Chapter. Linda was given a surprise gift for returning her portion of the drawing.

 There being no further business the Members Meeting was adjourned at 3:21pm.