February 7, 2012. OFFICERS AND MINUTES 1963
December 10, 2011. (From Fire Department records.) This is an
acutal copy of the
Annual
report, re-created word for word just
as it was written by George Sauer in 1963.
Today much of the ideals in this report still hold true, and the
membership continues to strive for greatness and to truly be the pride
of Knotts Island.
ANNUAL REPORT
FROM: President, Board of Directors.
TO: Board of Directors.
Members of the Company.
Gentlemen:
Slightly more than a year ago the citizens of our community and our
volunteer fire department were the sole owners of a fire truck in
inoperable condition, rejected and parked in the mercy of the elements.
Deposited in the departments bank account was a sum of approximately
$86.00. Some members of the board and some of the members of the
company were in favor of and on the verge of selling the apparatus back
to the Creeds Vol. Fire Dept., from which it was purchased some three
years prior thereto.
Some of the local citizenry and members were opposed to this sale and
practically overnight they virtually demanded an opportunity to
reorganize for the sole purpose of activating this defunct vol. fire
dept. In October 1962 a public meeting was held and the resignations of
most of the members of the board of directors and members of the
company were submitted and accepted. Immediately, an election was held,
though somewhat in haste, because new officers and members were
installed only from those personnel present at this public meeting. The
result could not be classed as a perfect or ideal situation, but what
we may have lacked intellectually was more than compensated for with
spirit and detemination. With this enthusiastic response and total
cooperation, the new organization endeavored to excite and promote
general interest thru-out the entire community in an attempt to win
over the doubtfulls as well as the pessimists.
At this point it must be stated that the secretarial records maintained
by the original charter members were in excellent form in view of the
conditions prevalent during those original three years. To this extent,
a voice of appreciation is expressed by your president.
Present Organization:
The current organization gave enthusiastic response to your president's
ideas and efforts toward rasing money the get the appartus in operable
condition and a building in which to house it. With this in mind, an
entertainment committee was established to utilize the past experience
of certian personnel. Therefore, to generate and maintain Island-wide
interest, the "Miss Knotts Island" pageant was born and with looking
foreward to repeating each year, the general name of Annual variety
Show was selected. Over and above the expectancy of raising money was
the whole-hearted spirit of attempting to inject some local pride and
interest into an otherwise dull community. As an added attraction to
this show, an award was to be presented on stage by the newly selected
and crowned young lady from our very own community, to help add
prestige to her title in representing the fire dept. The hours of work
involved in this production are vast but immaterial when speaking of
revenue recieved therefrom. Your president feels responsible in this
success, much the same as he would fell responsible in faliure.
Within two months after accepting the office of president, the treasury
of the department was enriched with well over $1000.
A building committee was appointed, plans made and construction was
begun. It was understood and agreed with the building committee that
the fire station be constructed complete the first time, rather than
add on in a few years and then add on again in later years, resulting
in additional expense plus a patched up building.
In the meantime, your president avoided the establishment of all the
titles affiliated with the company and for many various reasons, some
to be explained later.
In the spring of the year the entertainment committee concieved the
idea of presenting a spring jamboree show to help make money for the
building fund. Again, to stimulate interest, we felt we should give a
little to the citizens who have given so much. Every adult citizen on
the Island was aked by mail to sponsor a lady and man for consideartion
in the selection of a Lady of the Year and Man of the Year. In addition
to the honor and pride we have spread thru-out the neighborhood, the
net results was an increase in the treasury balance.
Immediatly following the woods fire which enveloped the northern
section of the Island, it was felt that the psycological moment was
present in which to campagin for additional funds from the entire
community. The record speaks for the success of this drive and the
members who participated are to be commended.
During the summer months it is evident that the volunteer interest
dropped off as fewer members were present at meetings and fewer still
to continue giving their service to our ultimate goal, a completely
organized and well trained functional volunteer fire department. It was
obvious that some members were lossing interest, while others even
failed to pitch in and help toward the completion of our project. It
appeared the ineveitable was going to happen, that is, the novelty was
wearing off and only the true at heart were remaining. Those of you who
refuse to get discouraged, where nothing can separate you from the
volunteers and evey thing a volunteer fire department stands for, you
should be the ones from whom selections are made for Chief, Ass't
Chief, Captian, etc. Our building is almost finished and the boys are
just about separated from the men by now.
Bear this in mind when you make your individual vote for whom you want
to represnt your fire dept. in your community. It is a grave
responsibility and not to be taken lightly. Education, character,
leadership, knowledge, sobriety and common sense are just a few of the
fundamentals to take into consideration when you are asked to cast your
ballot for the men you can be proud to call your Chief, or Ass't Chief.
The second annual variety show was more of a success than anticipated
and a word of appreciation is extended to our Ladies Auxilliary for the
tremendous help and support rendered and to the young ladies who
participate for the "Miss Knotts Island" title. The revenue recieved
from this and the television raffle is now heating our building.
Eduation and training:
In the past year most of the attention was focused on the construction
of the building. Some of us have had past experience in fire-fighting
and the manual operation of pumps similar to our apparatus. It was
stated time after time that is anyone wanted to get a working knowledge
of this vehicle, they had to but come here to the station and ask. In
spite of this free will to instruct our fellow members only a few have
obligated themselves to learn. Others avoid the station entirely
between meetings. There is no valid excuse for not knowing how to
operate this truck and it's pumping equipment.
Future Plans:
We have hopes of acquiring an ambulance someday.
Yet, there are so few of us that are technically qualified to drive an
emergency vehicle of this nature. If qualification and registration
with the American Red Cross is required, as I understand from Ira
Jones, then none of us are qualified as of this date. The initiative
rests with the individual.
Looking forward into the new year, thoughts and
plans should go into the establishment of filling stations
strategically located thru-out the island. As an example, probably the
best central location would be the canal at Bayvilla Diner. And for the
extreme southern end of the island, would probably be either the ferry
slip or possibly Mrs.Barnes canal. There should be at least one more
between these two locations and others established at points northward.
Any filling station established must be with the complete consent of
the owner because at anytime of the day or night, when seconds on the
clock are vital in fighting fire, the truck must be able to refill
immediatly at the nearest filling station, without fear of tresspassing
or awakening the tennant of the land. Samples of approved filling
stations can be seen in the National Fire-Fighters Manual or almost any
other approved manual on suburban fire-fighting.
Fulfilling these requirements have a direct bearing on the reduction of
fire insurance premiums.
Financial Statement:
As required by the constitution of this volunteer
fire dept., the finance auditing committee has audited the books and
records of the treasurer and their signature affixed thereto, all money
recieved from all sources and all money expeneded for all causes, has
been legitimate and in good faith for the organization and improvement
of the Knotts Island Volunteer Fire Dept.
Special Report:
In reference to the constitution, Section 4,
Articles 3 thru 8, inclusive, it is my opinion that subject titles of
office are too many for a volunteer fire department of this size.
Briefly, it amounts to "too many generals and not enough soldiers."
It is my reccomendation that these articles be studied by a
constitution committee in an efort to reduce these titles by number to
within our scope of organization.
Other vol. fire depts. could be studied to get a proper perspective.
Personal Summary:
I am a resident of Knotts Island. This is my home.
My heart and soul went into our Volunteer Fire Department when I was
called upon to convey my administrative ability, personnel management
and fire-fighting experience to this community.
My one request: if you want to be a member, be a true dependable one so
that your fellow members can be proud to call you one of us.
My sincerest appreciation goes to those of you who know within your own
heart and mind what you have done to help make our Volunteer Fire Dept.
a success and a pride to our community.
Respectfully, George A. Sauer President-1963