October's Meeting Minutes 2025

EAST QUOGUE FIRE DISTRICT

REGULAR MONTHLY MEETING

OCTOBER 9, 2025

 

 

The Regular Monthly Meeting of the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District was called to order by Chairman James Schaefer at 7:00 p.m.  Present were Commissioners James Schaefer, Allyn Jackson, Stephen Gregory, Edmund Densieski and Bob Despres, Treasurer Colleen Pearsall and Secretary Lorraine Gregory.

 

 

FIRE DISTRICT FACILITIES SUPERVISOR REPORT

See attached report.

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

Commissioner Gregory will contact Mr. Schaffauer tomorrow regarding the radio for 7-6-1 and the 90 day repair warranty.

The following proposals were received for the replacement of the garage doors:

            1.  Door Performance  -  $11,025.00

            2.  T.M. Kenney Door Systems  -  $15,585.00

A motion was made by Commissioner Densieski, seconded by Commissioner Despres, accepting the proposal from Door Performance for the replacement of the garage doors, in the amount of $11,025.00.  Approved 5-0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Despres, accepting the proposal from Steve’s Landscaping for aerating ($300.00) and seeding the lawn ($500.00) at Station 2 and seeding the lawn ($200.00) at the Main Firehouse, at a total cost of 1,000.00.  Approved 5-0.

MAINTENANCE REPORT

Maintenance Report dated 9/1/25 to 10/9/25 submitted to the Board.

MEDICAL COORDINATOR REPORT

See attached report.

MATERIAL REQUESTS:

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, authorizing the purchase of the medical supplies requested, from Bound Tree Medical, at a total cost of $142.99.  Approved 5-0.

REPORT DISCUSSION

Stryker Service Contract  -  Tabled pending further discussion with Mr. Danowski.

EMS Clothing  -  Tabled.

CHIEF'S REPORT

No report submitted.

REQUESTS

ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

 

ATTORNEY DISCUSSION

Mr. Glass was not in attendance.

MINUTES

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, approving the Minutes of the September 4, 2025 Regular Monthly Meeting.  Approved 5-0.

TREASURER'S REPORT

A motion was made by Commissioner Despres, seconded by Commissioner Densieski, approving the Treasurer’s Report as submitted.  Approved 5-0.

ABSTRACT OF BILLS

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Gregory, approving the Abstracts of Bills for the General Fund consisting of 15 checks totaling $24,157.00 dated October 9, 2025, 3 checks totaling $1,350.76 dated September 25, 2025 and 28 checks totaling $31,203.15 dated September 30, 2025 and to authorize the transfer of $150,000.00 from the Money Market to the Checking Account.  Approved 5-0.

A motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Despres, authorizing the payment for the two (2) Stair Chairs, in the total amount of $12,321.20, to be made from the EMS Special Account.  Approved 5-0.

COMMUNICATIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE

Correspondence received including the following:

1.  Facility Usage Request from Denise Flynn for a combination Birthday Party and Westhampton High School Cheerleaders Pasta Party on October 23, 2025.

2.  A letter from the East Quogue Fire Department advising that Michael Weir had been sworn in.

OLD BUSINESS

Commissioner Jackson advised the Board that he had received a letter from Sand Pebble giving their estimated cost of $690,000.00 for their handling of the building renovation project.  Commissioner Gregory suggested that the Board address the Department members for their input – renovate or build new.  Commissioner Jackson advised that he will start work on the bond issue.

After a brief discussion regarding the Personal Protective Equipment Policy, a resolution was drawn up and states as follows:

2025-25.  The Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District hereby resolve to adopt DA-034 Personal Protective Equipment Policy as part of the District Administration Section of the Policy and Procedures Manual as follows:

Purpose:  The purpose of this Policy is to establish written guidelines and procedures to set forth minimum standards for the issuance and upkeep of Personal Protective Equipment (“PPE”) for firefighters in the East Quogue Fire Department.  It is further intended to confirm with the laws, rules and procedures of New York State.

Authority:  This Policy is adopted by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the East Quogue Fire District pursuant to its authority under New York State law.

Procedure:  The Officers and members of the East Quogue Fire Department shall carry out and obey all sections of this Policy.

DEFINITIONS:  The following definitions shall apply to this Policy:

Specific Requirements:

 

* Interior Firefighter – a firefighter who has been medically certified and properly trained to carry out firefighting operations on and in structures while wearing Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (“SCBA”).

 

* Exterior Firefighter – a firefighter who has been medically certified and properly trained to carry out firefighting operations in non-enclosed areas and without the necessity for SCBA.

 

* Fire Police - a firefighter medically certified and trained by Suffolk County.

 

* EMS Firefighter – a firefighter who has been medically certified and properly trained to carry out firefighting operations in the field of Emergency Medical Services (“EMS”).

*Full Time and Part Time Paid EMS  -  full time and part time medical employees of the Fire District

PPE – refers to equipment issued to firefighters to be used for their personal protection when carrying out their duties.  PPE includes, but is not necessarily limited to, helmets, bunker gear (coat and pants), hoods, boots, gloves and such other equipment as may be furnished from time to time by the Fire District.

PROCESS:  The Fire Department and Fire District shall provide structural firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) to all Class A Interior Firefighters and Class B Exterior Firefighters.  Equipment provided to members shall consist of the following:

 

Class A Interior Firefighter

One (1) Structural Firefighting Helmet

One (1) Self-contained Breathing Apparatus Facepiece

Two (2) Firefighting Hoods

One (1) Structural Firefighting Bunker Jacket

One (1) Structural Firefighting Bunker Pants

One (1) Pair of Bunker Boots

One (1) Pair Structural Firefighting Gloves

Exterior Firefighter

One (1) Structural Firefighting Helmet

One (1) Exterior Firefighting Bunker Jacket

One (1) Exterior Firefighting Bunker Pants

One (1) Pair of Bunker Boots

One (1) Pair of Structural Firefighting Gloves

The Fire Department and Fire District shall provide Fire Police and EMS personnel with protective equipment (PPE) to all EMS responders.  Equipment provided shall consist of the following:

Fire Police “Certified” as per Suffolk County

One (1) Yellow Jacket

One (1) Vest

One (1) Helmet

One (1) Pair of Pants

One (1) Pair Reflective Gloves

EMS Volunteer (EMT’s not Firefighters)

One (1) Reflective Coat

One (1) Reflective Vest

One (1) Light Duty Cover Pants

One (1) EMS Helmet

One (1) Pair Tactical Gloves

EMS (who are Firefighters *)

One (1) Reflective Coat

One (1) Pair Light Duty Pants

 

*Firefighting PPE not to be worn in the ambulance.

Full Time Paid EMS

One (1) Yellow Reflective Four-Season Coat

Two (2) ¾ Length Zip Pull Over (replaced as needed)

One (1) Pair Reflective Light Duty Pants

Two (2) T Shirts

Part Time Paid EMS

One (1) T Shirt (replaced as needed)

One (1) ¾ Length Zip Pull Iver (replaced as needed)

One (1) Reflective Coat – to be shared

PPE Maintenance

It is the responsibility of each member to bring to the attention of the Chief all PPE that is in need of service.  All PPE shall be regularly inspected by a certified repair service once per year.  Repairs shall be made as needed, as determined by service.  PPE shall be taken out of service if beyond repair as determined by the service.

PPE shall be washed whenever it has been exposed to carcinogenic substances or at least once per year.  The member must advise the Chief of the need for cleaning and the District will provide for an approved cleaning.

The Fire District notes that the “ten (10) year standard” espoused by the NFPA is just that, a standard.  It is neither rule, nor law, as has been confirmed by the New York State Department of Labor’s PESH.  Accordingly, and due in part to the relatively light use that some PPE encounters, the District declines to adopt the NRPA standard.  This policy, including the routine annual inspection, constitutes the District’s own standard for the issuance, use and replacement of PPE.

PPE Replacement

In general, the Fire District budgets to acquire a certain amount of new PPE each year.  The determination of which members shall be furnished with new PPE will be up to the Chief.  The Chief shall forward a request to the Board of Fire Commissioners to fit certain members with new PPE.  The standard to be used by the Chief will be a combination of reviewing member activity points for the prior year and reviewing/inspecting the PPE currently issued to all members.  Priority shall be given to members whose gear is most in need of replacement and members who are most active in the prior year.

New members and members whose PPE no longer fits them or has been put out of service will be fitted with used PPE that the Fire District has in stock.  Such PPE has been washed and inspected and will be tailored as required.

PPE that fails inspection shall be declared surplus by the Fire District and properly discarded.

No member may utilize personal protective equipment that is not issued by the East Quogue Fire District.  Any member who believes that they need replacement items of PPE must notify the Chief immediately.  If a member’s PPE is taken out of service and the member cannot be provided with temporary PPE, then the member shall not respond to alarms for which PPE is required.  The member can respond to the firehouse and seek to perform service for which PPE is not required until they are properly equipped.

No member may respond to alarms or drills that requires PPE without such PPE.  Members found in violation of any part of this Policy may be subject to disciplinary action by the Chief.

No member may use Department/District PPE for personal reasons or as a costume.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

The adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly put to a vote and upon roll call, the vote was as follows:

Chairman James Schaefer                   )  AYE

Vice-Chairman Allyn Jackson            )  AYE

Commissioner Stephen Gregory         )  AYE

Commissioner Edmund Densieski      )  AYE

Commissioner Robert Despres           )  AYE

The resolution was thereupon declared duly adopted.

Dated:  East Quogue, New York

             October 9, 2025

Commissioner Schaefer advised the Board that he had spoken to Kathy Galway and that the District would be allowed to pay the late fees amounting to $1,900.00 regarding Brian Danowski’s NYS Retirement issue.

Commissioner Gregory stated that the remnants of the recent Seafood Party have not been cleaned up and properly stored.  The Chief will be notified and requested to have the issue taken care of.

Commissioner Despres advised the Board that the refurbishing of the antique fire engine may be done by the end of the year and that measurements will be taken for the lift.

NEW BUSINESS

Commissioner Jackson suggested that some repairs should be made in the Steel Building.  Insulation needs to be covered and the floor needs painting.

2025-26.  Whereas, Section 175-a of the Town Law, as amended, provides for a system of registration of Fire District elections; and

            Whereas, a register of eligible Fire District voters must be prepared prior to the Fire District election: and

            Now therefore, be it resolved that three resident election inspectors of the East Quogue Fire District be appointed to constitute the East Quogue Fire District Board of Elections for the 2025 Annual Fire District Election;

            And be it further resolved, that in case any of the members appointed therein are unable to assume or perform the duties required of them, the Board of Fire Commissioners will appoint three alternates who are resident electors ;

            And be it further resolved, that the Chairman, Election Inspector and Poll Clerk be compensated in the amount of $70.00 for their services and attendance at the annual election which shall take place during the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.;

            And be it further resolved, that if clerical help is deemed necessary, this Board of Fire Commissioners will consider the appointment of such clerical persons upon the request of the Chairman of the Fire District Board of Elections.  

A motion was made by Commissioner Despres, seconded by Commissioner Jackson, accepting the adoption of Resolution 2025-26.  Approved 5-0.

At this point, an alarm was sounded and four of the Board members responded.  Upon their return, the meeting continued.

No Workshop scheduled for October.

A motion was made by Commissioner Gregory, seconded by Commissioner Despres, granting permission for Denise Flynn to use the Meeting Room on October 23, 2025 for a combination Birthday Party and WHB Cheerleader Pasta Party.  Approved 5-0.

At 8:50 p.m., there being no further business, a motion was made by Commissioner Jackson, seconded by Commissioner Despres, to adjourn the meeting.  Approved 5-0.

Submitted by

Lorraine Gregory, Secretary

 

East Quogue Fire District’s House Attendant Report

To the Board of Fire Commissioners,

This is the attendant’s report for October 9^th, 2025, meeting including but not limited to:  

• General Maintenance and building care.
• Updated the website For the District.
• Updated the sign.
• EMS Helmets were delivered
• Green Earth Plumbing has completed work on the heating system.
• Reinstalled the radio in 7-6-1
• Replaced the GFI for the sign
• PM’s completed for 7-6-16 and 17
• Windshields repaired on 17 and 32 vehicles and replaced on 80.

Topics for discussion:

I would like to replace the radio in 7-6-1with a tri band as the old came back from repair and is still having a problem. We have the quote from the one we purchased for 33’s vehicle

.

Garage door replacement. Quotes attached               

Seeding and overseeding Quote        

 

No Chiefs report this Month