William Brower's Profile

The New Jersey State FMBA proudly hosts an annual awards presentation in April to recognize members of the organization who have gone beyond the overall call of duty in their communities to earn the title of “hero”. In addition, we also recognize several other Service Award recipients. These include a Humanitarian Award, the George Steele Award for Media, named after past NJ FMBA Secretary George Steele, The Mark Virag Brotherhood Award winner, named for past NJ FMBA  Sergeant at Arms Mark Virag, and the Scott Garber Service Award, named for past NJ FMBA Trustee Chairman Scott Garber. The applications are reviewed by a panel of NJ FMBA members and Corporate Sponsors to determine the recipients. 

The 2021 Valor Awards Dinner will be held on Saturday August 21, 2021 at the Pines Manor in Edison, NJ

It is with deep regret we announce the Line of Duty Death of Captain Vincent Intiso, East Orange Local 223.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at Caggiano Memorial Home for Funerals, 62 Grove Street, Montclair, NJ 07042 from 4pm-8pm. Parking for Visitation will be in the TD Bank Parking Lot, diagonal from the Caggiano Memorial Home for Funerals. Firefighter walkthrough assembly will be at 5:30pm at the Funeral Home.

The New Jersey State FMBA proudly hosts an annual awards presentation in April to recognize members of the organization who have gone beyond the overall call of duty in their communities to earn the title of “hero”. In addition, we also recognize several other Service Award recipients. These include a Humanitarian Award, the George Steele Award for Media, named after past NJ FMBA Secretary George Steele, The Mark Virag Brotherhood Award winner, named for past NJ FMBA  Sergeant at Arms Mark Virag, and the Scott Garber Service Award, named for past NJ FMBA Trustee Chairman Scott Garber. The applications are reviewed by a panel of NJ FMBA members and Corporate Sponsors to determine the recipients. 

The 2021 Valor Awards Dinner will be held on Saturday August 21, 2021 at the Pines Manor in Edison, NJ

2020 Valor Award Recipients

Local of the Year

Irvington Local 14

President Edwin Velasco

Executive Delegate Daniel Richardson

Multi-Agency

None

Group Effort Medical

Ridgewood Local 47

FF/EMT Matthew Bombace

FF/EMT Mark Barone

Group Effort Non-Fire

Elizabeth Locals 9 and 209

Captain David Bialas

FF Andrew Deegan

FF Patrick Palovack

FF Ronald Salermo

Group Effort Fire

Maplewood Local 25

DC Richard Salkowski

Captain Keith Addie

FF Kenneth Yarussi

FF James Richardella

FF Anthony Marinello

Prob FF/EMT Anthony Pafumi

FF/EMT Jonathan Conklin

Prob FF/EMT Patrick Alvarez

Civilian Award

Trooper Lt Edward Ryer

Nominated by Belleville Locals 29 and 229

Humanitarian Award

FF Ray Dean

Nominated by Paterson Locals 2 and 202

George Steele Media

None

Capt. Mark Virag Brotherhood

Tyrone Smith

Peer Assistance

James Keefe

Peer Assistance

Scott Garber Service

FF Edwin Donnelly

Nominated by Union Local 46

Lifesaving Award

FF James Kroll off-duty Kearny Local 18

EMS Medal of Distinction

Lakewood EMS Local 380

EMT Jose Ortiz

Bronze Medal of Valor

Maplewood Local 25

FF James Richardella

FF Anthony Marinello

Prob FF/EMT Anthony Pafumi

Silver Medal of Valor

Rahway Local 33

Captain Ray Lopez

FF Terry Bell

Gold Medal of Valor

Plainfield Local 7 

FF Melvyn Jason Armstead

FF Gabriel Ocasio

FF Hassan Sanders

Unfortunately, over the years there has been confusing messages put out there about the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund (“VCF”) and various deadlines that may or may not apply to you.    In the last few months, many 9/11 organizations and VCF law firms have been talking about a deadline that is fast approaching, July 29, 2021.

So what is the July 29^th 2021 Deadline and does it apply to you?

Location: Bill Pascrell, Jr. Fire Headquarters, 300 McBride Ave. in Paterson NJ

Date: June 21

Time: 11am

The Office of Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. invites you to the 20^th Anniversary celebration of the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Congressman Bill Pascrell authored and introduced the "Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement (FIRE) Act," the first comprehensive legislation dedicated to meet the special needs of America's 32,000 volunteer, paid and part-paid fire departments. Since 2001, the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program has provided firefighters and first responders with the equipment and resources they need to protect our community. Please save the date and join us on this momentous occasion!

The Investment Committee met in late March to review Division of Investment (DOI) performance and assess three potential investments which were being presented to the State Investment Council. At the April Board Meeting, the Board passed two resolutions; One resolution directed the DOI to formalize the asset transfer into dedicated PFRS Accounts, and the other resolution authorizes the DOI to invest system assets in accordance with the prior approved asset allocation plan. These are both very significant resolutions as the Board is preparing to formalize the asset transfer process, which has been in the works for many months.

Spring has sprung, and after what may have been the worst year any of us has ever seen, there are many reasons that the remainder of 2021 and beyond will be better times. COVID related illnesses are decreasing, businesses are reopening, and warmer weather is finally here.

The NJ FMBA Legislative Committee is pleased to announce that the Governor has signed 20 and Out bill for New Jersey Firefighters and Police Officers. This retirement option for PFRS members is long overdue, and has been a legislative priority. The Coronavirus pandemic has added an enormous layer of danger to a profession that routinely encounters physical trauma, air and blood borne pathogens, myriad carcinogens, and many potential bacterial and viral sicknesses. 

I realize the return of cost-of-living adjustments to our retirement allowance is of great importance to all members of the PFRSNJ system.  For those that have been retired for many years, the impact is even greater.  

Before one looks at how to fix it, let’s make sure we have the facts.  First, the new pension board was not the one to suspend COLA, that was done under the Christie administration.  

In fact, the NJ FMBA fought vehemently against Chapter 78 and the suspension of COLA.  To sum up the lawsuit, the Supreme Court ruled - we have a non-forfeitable right to a pension but do not have that same non-forfeitable right to fund the pension.  Crazy, right?!  We can discuss that in another article!  This was one of the main reasons the NJ FMBA, with the NJSPBA, fought to pass monumental pension legislation to take back the control and governance of our pension and give us the ability to address COLA restoration.

The past year has been trying for NJ FMBA members and their families. Penn Medicine Princeton House First Responder Treatment team will host a confidential virtual support group beginning on or about April 20 called “Too Strong for Too Long.” At the end of the six-week group, we’ll launch a virtual group for family members designed to address issues and concerns that specifically affect your families. Our intention is to provide a confidential setting that will be open to questions and specific topics relevant to the work you do.

A few years back, members of the NJ FMBA participated in survey regarding perceived health risks of firefighters. The survey was conducted by Iris Udasin, MD and the Rutgers Environmental Occupational Health Sciences Institute.

The data collected from the survey was analyzed to determine if firefighters’ perceived health risks and the actual risk of chronic disease in firefighters were aligned. Dr. Udasin and colleagues produced an article to address the results. The article was published in the April 2021 issue of the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.

The New Jersey Marijuana Legalization Amendment (S2703/A4497) amends the state constitution to legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults age 21 and older. It also legalizes the cultivation, processing, and sale of retail cannabis. The constitutional amendment took effect on January 1, 2021

Governor Murphy, in his 2021 budget address, committed a full payment into the State’s pension system. This will be the first full contribution since 1996. The Governor’s original plan had a 90% contribution planned for this year, with the first 100% contribution pegged for 2023. 

The Board approved the final steps to adopt the regulations, a groundbreaking achievement in setting the course for the transfer of fund assets and independent control over by the PFRS Board. Senior Board leadership and management are in ongoing discussions with the Governor’s office regarding the next steps of the asset transfer. The Board’s regulatory attention will now shift towards administrative regulations and the proposed modifications to the break-in-service rules. 

The “20-and-out” Bill, S1017, has passed both legislative Chambers and now is with the Governor’s Office for approval. The main implication of this bill is that members who have 20 years or more of service can retire on a 50% Service Retirement benefit at any age. Previously, the last piece of legislation which granted this benefit required that the member be enrolled by January of 2000 in order to retire at any age with 20 years of service. For members enrolled after that date, retirement was still available after 20 years however benefit payments would not start until the member attained the age of 55 years. This bill has no effect on the Special Retirement for members retiring with 25 or more years of service.