GWINNETT CITIZEN FIRE ACADEMY
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
"Please check for updates in all sections"
Youth Fire Safety Training Facility at Fire Station #20
GCFAAA "Refurbish Project 2010"
WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL GWINNETT CFAAA WEBSITE
Gwinnett County is located northeast of Atlanta, and is the largest fire service district in the State of Georgia for the number of legal jurisdictions (15) under one fire department. The county is one of America's fastest-growing counties for the past 20 years. Our 437 square miles combines big-city living with the comforts of the suburbs.
The Gwinnett Citizen Fire Academy Alumni Association (GCFAAA) is a made up of graduates of the Gwinnett Citizen Fire Academy. It was established in 2003, after the first class graduation, with the help of Les and Diane Woods.
For more information on the Gwinnett Citizen Fire Academy or an application, please go to:
Click here for the CFAAA video
Click here for a Citizen Fire Academy Application
MISSION STATEMENT
Our Mission is to contribute to the comfort and safety of our community as it relates to fire and life safety education issues. The Gwinnett Citizen Fire Academy Alumni Association (GCFAAA) is dedicated to working in partnership with the Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services, to promote fire and life safety education and to project a positive image of the Department and the GCFAAA at all times.
NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT
We are continually being asked to support Gwinnett Fire and Emergency Services with our volunteers. Please check "Upcoming Events" for the list of where and when we are needed. You have already seen references to "Your Time Counts". For every 2 hours of your volunteer time or attendance at a meeting, you will receive a ticket. During the following month's meeting, a drawing will be made from all of the tickets received during the month and a Ride-A-Long will be rewarded.
Look at the list of Committees for a way to spend some volunteer time. You may volunteer at any time on any of the Committees by contacting the email address shown. The appropriate Committee Chairperson will contact you. The list of active project Committees will change as projects are completed or added.
If you have questions, want to volunteer or have suggestions, please email me at gcfaaa@gmail.com
Thank you all for your volunteer time. Increase your chances of winning a Ride-a-Long by volunteering, attending GCFAAA meetings and wearing GCFAAA apparel. Opportunities are on the web calendar.
New CFA Class Starts September 2, 2010
Citizen Fire Academy Class 14 will start on September 2, 2010, from 6pm until 9pm for the next 12 consecutive Thursday evenings. Graduation will be on November 18, 2010. We need Alumni hosts to help our instructors keep these classes running smoothly. You can volunteer for one class or as many as you can fit into your schedule. This is also a good time to revisit your favorite class or pick up on one that you may have missed. We would like to see as many Alumni as possible attend the first class. This will be a welcome session with the Chief's office and Fire Headquarters Staff. Please come out to support GCFAAA. Snacks are needed for this night. Email Ryan Haney at aresryan@gmail.com with your date selections. Remember all hours go toward "Your Time Counts".
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DATE
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SESSION
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LOCATION
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9/2/2010
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1 - Welcome - Chief's Office
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Fire Headquarters
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9/9/2010
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2 - 911 Communications
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Police Headquarters
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9/16/2010
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3 - Operations
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Station 5
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9/23/2010
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4 - Fire Training 1
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9/30/2010
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5 - Fire Training 2
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10/7/2010
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6 - Fire Training 3
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10/14/2010
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7 - Fire Training 4
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10/21/2010
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8 – Community Risk Reduction
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Fire Headquarters
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10/28/2010
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9 - Operations / Specialty Teams 1
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Station 14
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11/4/2010
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10 - Operations / Specialty Teams 2
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Station 20
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11/11/2010
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11 – Operations / Specialty Teams 3
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Station 24
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11/18/2010
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12 - Family Night Graduation
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Fire Headquarters
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Alumni Recognized At Fire Stats Meeting
Congratulations to Alumni, Veronica Clark, Angel Alonso, Michael Stebnicki, Judy Adanich and Dave Adanich who were honored at the monthly Fire Stats meeting at Gwinnett Fire Headquaters on August 12, 2010. The team was recognized for their outstanding participation in refurbishing the “Youth Fire Safety Training Facility”. This facility is used to teach children safe fire practices and the safe way of exiting a burning house and what to do once you have exited.
Citizen Fire Academy "Class 13" Graduation Ceremony
Congratulations to Citizen Fire Academy "Class 13" on completing their 12 week course. Graduation ceremony and reception was held at the Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Serevices Headquarters in Lawrenceville, Georgia on July 1, 2010. The following is a list of graduates:
Angel Alonso Jr., Joann Armonta, Gabriela Arquett, Keith Bisanz, Thomas Bourne, Tom Clark, Veronica Clark, David Crook, Martin Dorfman, Michael Hamilton, Frank Howland, Robert Mallett, Corey Millwood, Sam Nation, Steve Pinkston, John Purcell, Michael Stebnicki, Jerome Stoklas, Keri Stoklas
Many of these graduates have already participated in Alumni Volunteer Events. THANK YOU!
UPCOMING GCFAAA EVENTS
Monthly meetings are normally on the first Tuesday of the month at various locations. Check Below.
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DATE/TIME |
EVENT AND LOCATION
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GCFAAA Meeting Fire Station 20 Business Meeting - bring items for discussion, topics and ideas for future meetings, etc. Remember to wear GCFAAA apparel for an extra ticket toward "YOUR TIME COUNTS" |
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Thursday, September 2, thru November 18 6 pm to 9pm |
CFA Class 14 See Schedule in "Breaking News" above for topic and locations
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Thursday, October 28, 2010 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm |
Fire Academy Graduation Ceremony at Hebron Church Chapel in Dacula Volunteers needed to set up, greet, assist family members during the ceremony and clean-up. Let's support the new members of our "Fire Family" |
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COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES
Please check updates
Membership: Chairperson - Judy Adanich - Contact gcfaaa@gmail.com
Responses have all been positive. We still have a few members to contact. If you know someone from your graduating class that you have not seen at meetings, call them and invite them to join in the Alumni activities.
Long-Term Activities: Chairperson - Angel Alonso - Contact webmaster@gwinnettcfaaa.org
We are looking for an activity or activities where we can make a difference in the community other than what we already do for the community. Ideas and suggested activities so far are: Assisting families create fire escape plans, Clown programs that will teach all age groups about fire safety, slips-trips-falls, bike safety, etc. We are open for ideas! Ideas will be investigated and presented to the membership and GFES. This Committee has 4 members and we are still looking for additions to the Committee!
CPR/AED/RISK REDUCTION Class Assistants: Chairperson - Judy Adanich - Contact gcfaaa@gmail.com
This Program is offered once per quarter. This Committee does not have regular members. Anyone may volunteer.
CFA Class Assistants: Chairperson - Ryan Haney - Contact aresryan@gmail.com
The next CFA Class begins on Thursday, September 2, 2010. The schedule of session dates, topics and locations is posted in the "Breaking News". and activities will be posted soon. We would like to have at least 2 CFAAA members at each session to assist and host. Volunteer and enjoy!
Youth Fire Safety Training Facility Refurbish: Chairperson - Dave Adanich - Contact webmaster@gwinnettcfaaa.org
The Youth Fire Safety Training Facility (YFSTF), pictured at the top of the website, is located behind Fire Station 20 on Cruse Road. It is a great asset to our community and has been the location for training many school classes, scouts, homeowner groups, etc. since 1997. It is now in need of repairs and maintenance.
As of June 21,2010, we have a new roof, new laminate floor, new carpet on stairs, the air conditioner has been moved to the second floor, outside lights have been replaced, rotted door frame has been fixed, and bushes on the back side of the building have been removed. A million thanks go to Michael Stebnicki and Angel Alonso and their work crews for stepping up and providing the materials and labor. The initial coat of paint inside was done by 6 members of the L.O.V.E. committee (Leading Others with Voluntary Efforts) backed by Mitsubishi Electric America Foundation. We have a great muralist who has volunteered to paint murals inside the house. She will turn one room into a kitchen and another will simulate a living room with fire place and the upstairs room will have a bed and dresser painted on the walls. The murals will help the children depict familiar rooms and furniture that would be found in the average house.
The next step to finishing up the YFSTF refurbish is to assemble a crew of painters and complete the painting inside. If you can hold a brush and can spare a few hours of time, please let me know. We can work in the evenings or the weekends or both.
Youth Fire Safety Training Program Assistants: Chairperson - Judy Adanich - Contact gcfaaa@gmail.com
Programs to train school groups, scouts, etc. are conducted on 2 Week days and 1 Saturday per month. The scheduled days vary each month. Assistants are needed to assist and support the Fire Department Educators. This is a fun assignment! You will be working with the children so that they get the most out of their experience and visit to our Youth Fire Safety Training Facility. The volunteer needs for the month will be posted on this website and on the Monthly Meeting Agenda. This Committee does not have regular members. Anyone may volunteer for any of the Programs.
LEADERSHIP PHOTOS AND BIOS
Jeremey Webb, Fire Inspector and CFAAA Advisor
Jeremey Webb is a young ambitious man with many aspirations all clearly pointed at changing the world for the better. He is involved with the community in many ways from a blossoming five years with fire service to spending many volunteer hours with organizations like Muscular Dystrophy Association. Following the guidance of his loving parents, Jerrod and Nancy, he tries to set a good example for his younger brother, Jordan. Family, friends are integral parts of his life; however, his relationship with God is always paramount and essentially the motivating force behind his having a warm demeanor and large heart.
Jeremey lives in Conyers, Ga and was born at Grady Hospital in Atlanta in April 28th, 1984. He grew up in Conyers and graduated from Salem High and went on to Georgia State University. Jeremey joined Gwinnett Fire Services on November 20th, 2004. He worked in the field approximately 3 years and came to Fire Marshal's Office. Jeremey works in the Community Risk Reduction Education Section as a Supervisor since January, 2010.
Judy Adanich, GCFAAA President
Judy is a graduate of CFA Class 11. Judy is retired from Bell South (AT&T) where she worked for 38 years with jobs in project management, training delivery and development, personnel and supervision. She enjoys the administrative work at Fire Headquarters and is very involved in CFAAA activities. Outside of CFA, Judy likes to read, volunteer at Church, do counted cross-stitch angels and keep up with husband Dave. She has one cat and is looking for a new Golden Retriever to rescue.
Ryan Haney, GCFAAA 1st Vice-President
Ryan was born and raised in Gwinnett County. He graduated from CFA Class 7 in 2006. He has also completed the CERT (community emergency response team) course and helped host many of those classes. Ryan is also very active in the Gwinnett ARES (amateur radio emergency services) and National Weather Service SKYWARN group. He is active in his church choir and in the Men of Praise Singing Group at First Baptist Church in Snellville.
Tommy Vort, GCFAAA 2nd Vice-President
Tommy is a native of Atlanta. His interests are baseball, hockey, and reading books on the Civil War and the Titanic. He also enjoys all kinds of music from oldies to international tunes. He is retired from MARTA after 25 years of service, which included jobs in both the bus and rail departments. Some of his work duties included pulling parts for repairs, and walking the rail line inspecting the tracks for possible problems. He is a graduate of CFA Class 12. He has one son and three grandchildren. He and his wife have lived in Gwinnett County for twenty years.
Bill Black, GCFAAA Secretary and Past President
Bill is one of the "founding Fathers" as he was in the First CFA Class in Gwinnett. He was one of the guinea pigs for the program and instrumental in developing the class as it is today. Bill is involved with several volunteer groups including: CERT, CPA, Skywarn Spotter and GCFAAA. He has interest in Search and Rescue, Rehab Services and Fire Safety Education. Bill is married to Sharon and has one teenage son, Chris.
Glenn Hartley Sr., GCFAAA Treasurer
Glenn has been a fire buff for about 50 years starting when he was an Insurance Underwriter. Glenn started collecting fire memorabilia during the mid 70's when he met David Chamberlain, a Lieutenant in the Atlanta Fire Department who later became Chief. He collected so much fire stuff that it became a museum named Smokey's Fire Museum after his late Dalmatian - Smokey. His museum was featured about 10 years ago on a PBS program called "Collecting Across America".
Glenn is a graduate of the Third CFA Class in 2003. He has been the Treasurer since 2004. Glenn is a member of the Metropolitan Fire Association (a fire buff club), and the Fire Mark Circle of the Americas (a national collectors and educational organization). He has also been a Doorkeeper in the Georgia House of Representatives since 1995. He sings in a 120 voice Senior Gospel Choir called the "Silvertones" and he has just completed a two year term as President of the Gold Wing Senior Club from Bogan Park in Buford, Georgia.
"As volunteers, we give away valuable time for no money and in the vague hope of imparting some positive benefit to strangers"
WEBMASTER
Email the Webmaster at: webmaster@gwinnettcfaaa.org with comments, stories, information and pictures. Thanks for your support
All materials on this web site © 2010 Gwinnett Citizen Fire Academy Alumni Association Inc.
8-31-2010-818