What is the Association?
The New Jersey State Fire Chiefs Association is an organization of Chief Fire Officers.

What are its objectives?
The objectives and purposes of the Association are:

To provide a forum for the discussion and dissemination of information on the methods of prevention and suppression of fires.

To give attention to matters that may be referred to it by the fire service.

To act as a referring agency for questions referred to it regarding fire laws, suppression, prevention, training, and equipment.

To provide for the beneficiaries of deceased members by the establishment of a Life Insurance Policy through V.F.I.S.

To promote social and fraternal fellowship.

Who can join the Association?
Active membership is open to Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, Deputy Chiefs and Battalion Chiefs of any Fire Department, Company, or Brigade, whether paid, volunteer, or industrial.

Associate membership is open to Captains and Lieutenants of any Fire Department, Company, or Brigade, whether paid, volunteer, or industrial.

What does the Association do?
The Association meets once a year at our Annual Conference in Wildwood, New Jersey, when officers are elected and the memorial service is held. The meeting include reports from the officers and committees and a technical program.

The Association publishes a newsletter, The Five Trumpet Journal – five times each year. News of the meetings, committee reports, firematic information, and announcements are printed. A subscription is included as part of the membership.

The Association sponsors a monthly e-mail newsletter, The RELAY, for any member who provides an e-mail address.

The State Chiefs’ was a founding member of the New Jersey Fire and Emergency Medical Services Institute and actively participates in its work. The Association participates in the Fire Chiefs Alliance.

By law, the Association has a member on

1. the Fire Safety Commission

2. the 9-1-1 Advisory Commission, and

3. the New Jersey Domestic Security Planning Group.

Eagle Scouts who are Junior Firefighters or relatives of Association members are recognized at their Court of Honor.

How are the objectives met if the Association only meets once a year?
The Board of Directors meets regularly to transact the business of the Association. From the information in the Journal and the RELAY, members have an opportunity to provide information to the Board.

Much of the work is done by Committees. Special Committees are appointed as required.

The Legislative Committee considers proposed legislation, particularly on the State level, confers with other firematic organizations, and makes the Association’s opinions known to the Legislature.

The Valor Awards Committee screens and selects the applicants most worthy to receive the valor awards for volunteer firefighters. The presentations are made at the Spring Meeting. The award consists of a framed certificate, a lapel pin, and a savings bond.

The Scholarship Committee screens and selects recipients for college level scholarships. The value of the awards is based on the amount of funds made available to the Committee by private sources and the Association. Presentations are made at the Annual Meeting.

Members are appointed to participate in work groups that have a mission that relates to the objectives of the Association.