Fireman's Convention

[NJTF1Bowman]

Ok, it's little early so to speak But who all is going this year and have you had trouble finding a motel for the weekend? Just got back from Wildwood hit the motel I stayed at last year and put my name in for a room, hope to hear that one is available soon (just me and my family, another department is staying there and hopefully there is a room not being used)....Well here's the kicker, talking for the desk person she tells me this is the motels last convention it's being replaced with condo's and not just this motel but three to four others within a three block area are also closing....Yea the word is there is going to be two high-rise motels built by the convention center within two years for a total of another 2000 rooms, but what about 06' and 07' convention don't think the new ones will be done in time.

[Engine58]

Got my room booked and ready to go. I know our motel we've been using is undergoing renovation they added on a whole new 4 or 5 floor addition. Also the neighboring town had booked there motel for this year and when they called the owner to confirm the registration and pay the guy he told them that they need to find another place because it was torn down. Hopefully this year will be a good year.

[BD6413]

The Wildwood Convention is in no way shape or form what it used to be. I remember as a kid going to the parade {which started at 1pm} and still be watching it at 7:30 - 8:00 that evening and most years it rained with the exception of a 1/2 dozen or so going back to the mid to late eighties.

My company still registers for a motel and the members pay the price. We've even down-scaled from what we once were. Straight room prices. - We used to hire a caterer, supply the beer / soda, and ice hire a DJ the whole bit. Prices became to high, and we haven't competed in 4 years {excluding 2001 for obvious reasons} - After winning the over-all championship 4 times in a row, a loss in 1999, and returned and cleaned up in 2000 we've done what was never done by any other company in the 127 years the convention has existed.

Wildwood in general is becoming a dangerous town. Violence at the bars, more and more problems from the summer rentals, Resturaunt Prices out of this world in some spots and now the motels that we all used to enjoy our convention weekends in are falling to higher priced condominiums - Because the city is falling apart and they need to re-vitalize it. - Aside from the Usual Summer renters My own opinion is that the Firefighters convention brought alot of money to that city in just four days than all other functions combined. - Think-of it Thousands of Firefighters and thier famlies means $$$$$ for the city but as usual a city is never satisfied

[NJTF1Bowman]

Originally posted by BD6413
Wildwood in general is becoming a dangerous town. Violence at the bars, more and more problems from the summer rentals, Resturaunt Prices out of this world in some spots and now the motels that we all used to enjoy our convention weekends in are falling to higher priced condominiums - Because the city is falling apart and they need to re-vitalize it. - Aside from the Usual Summer renters My own opinion is that the Firefighters convention brought alot of money to that city in just four days than all other functions combined. - Think-of it Thousands of Firefighters and thier famlies means $$$$$ for the city but as usual a city is never satisfied

Man do they get you coming and going in Wildwood, when we were down on Saturday I saw some signs for 3% sales tax at some of the construction supply places, now when I was on the boardwalk at one of the pizza places there on the back of the menu it stated there is a 8% Cape May County sales tax. Time to find another place to have this convention, I have three to go before I'm a lifemember by the time I'm done I'm going to be in the red just for being a delegate.

[Bones42]

We've been in the same motel since the convention moved back to Wildwood. Each year, while there, we book the rooms for the next year. This year, the motel has been sold. We're still in, but have yet to hear from the new owners what their plan is for next year. Being as we are diagnolly across the street from the convention hall, we're guessing the motel will be gone soon. I live in a town that is somewhat like Wildwood but on a MUCH smaller scale. The "summer weekend" visitor crowd has been getting more and more out of control. I think they figure if they are not drunk and breaking something or being loud, they aren't having fun. :rolleyes: We do spend a considerable amount of money in the restaraunts, bars, and boardwalk, but we don't walk around being loud and making @$$#$ of ourselves.

Wouldn't it be great if they added some (if not more) training/seminars to the convention weekend? They try once in a while, but no one knows about it until 2 or 3 days beforehand, which is too late.

I'm going to be in the red just for being a delegate. Made Life a few years ago and I have never had a year that I was not in the red. The state "reimbursement" doesn't even cover the cost of the room.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Wildwood is not a dangerous town becuase of the tourist and transient crowd. It is a dangerous town due to the greediness of the hotel/motel operators who take/took in welfare people in the "off-season" then couldn't get them to leave. This has created a city with extensive urban blight, gang problems and the like.

The plan for rescuing the city is the condo craze and the creation of the "DooWop" theme area in the Crest. IMHO won't work. here's why.

Every year I took my family for a week at the Wai KiKi in the Crest. This year's rate was, with tax, about $230 a night for the type of room I need. One parking space. Rude hotel staff. Rooms that have not been upgraded in 20 years. No room service. Outrageous telephone rates. Even a $10 key deposit.

Last year, I took my family to Myrtle Beach. Price for a room with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, full kitchen, living room oceanfront, about $240 plus tax. Almost a brand new room. Room service. 2 televisions. two restaurants. Five pools. Two hot tubs. Tiki bar. Health club. Movie theater. Crowded city, but felt completely safe. Beautiful area. Wonderfully nice people.

I will only go back to Wildwood if I am doing an investigation. I would never go back there on vacation.

The convention should be abolished completely. I handed out this challenge last year. What business is conducted at that convention that has a positive impact on the NJ Fire Service?

The educational programs don't work because the FF don't want them. They want a three day drunk fest.

[NJTF1Bowman]

Wouldn't it be great if they added some (if not more) training/seminars to the convention weekend? They try once in a while, but no one knows about it until 2 or 3 days beforehand, which is too late.


I wouldn't mind having a seminar as part of the convention


The convention should be abolished completely. I handed out this challenge last year. What business is conducted at that convention that has a positive impact on the NJ Fire Service?

Your right there all business is done long before the convention, we are there just going thru the motions


The educational programs don't work because the FF don't want them.


You might be able to, if you make it part of the program. Safety or something that they can take back to their department, But that's reaching they would have to remember the three days they stayed in Wildwood first



They want a three day drunk fest.



That's the part of what I hate about going to Wildwood, I have to find my own motel for my family and I because the members of my department don't want family around because this way they can act up and get drunk


My view on this and it's just that my view. Do away with the convention as it is now, what's the attendance 2000+ delegates plus whatever Lifemembers show up say 3500 tops.... have the convention where just the people that are involed attended have your vendors and apparatus displays but add a seminar or two (one each day) and see how that works for a year.

[Bones42]

Actually, attendance is closer to 7000 the last 2 years. It is definitely much nicer in the new hall. :o

Seminars would work, but not having just 1 or 2. They need to setup a bunch of different options to get guys interested. While I think FDIC East was a great setup in Atlantic City, what I observed was the days that there were H.O.T. sessions were fairly calm, but the rest of the days turned into the drunkfest and gambling fest. It won't stop the "partying", but it will give more of a purpose for the others to attend.

In my opinion, until the great North vs South divide stops, nothing will get accomplished.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Then the South should give in.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Relax. It was a JOKE!

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Sorry for butting in... Do you ever get sick of "Benny's" ? :cool:

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

Originally posted by MIKEYLIKESIT
Sorry for butting in... Do you ever get sick of "Benny's" ? :cool:
I must confess. I have a friend who got a job working for the Monmouth County Parks Department..She taught me that.

[Bones42]

MIKEYLIKESIT, No, I honestly don't get sick of the "Benny's". Most of them are just out looking to relax and have some fun. Of course, you get the few that are PITA, but again, the majority are fine. With being on the boardwalk most of the summer weekends selling Harley raffle tickets, you get to meet a lot of people from all over the area. Get to see quite a collection of FF t-shirts walking around. FDNY still is the most popular, and most of the guys we talk to with them on, aren't members. :rolleyes:

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Are most of the people you see wearing Yankee jerseys memebrs of the team?

[Bones42]

George, since they are not doing as well this year (by Yankee standards), there aren't a lot of Yankee fans showing their support in my area. Seems they only support the team when it's got a great record and not just a good record.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by Bones42
George, since they are not doing as well this year (by Yankee standards), there aren't a lot of Yankee fans showing their support in my area. Seems they only support the team when it's got a great record and not just a good record.

Didn't answer my question.

[Bones42]

Sorry, that would be no.

Then again, haven't seen any Yankee's shirt yet this summer so it would have to be based on last years observations.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

So its not really that big of a deal that people wear shirts from a FD hat they dno't belong to, is it?

[Bones42]

Get to see quite a collection of FF t-shirts walking around. FDNY still is the most popular, and most of the guys we talk to with them on, aren't members. Sorry George, had to repost what I said. Can't see where I said it was a big deal. Just mentioned a small fact. Most of the guys/girls that had other department shirts on, were members, in case you cared. And nope, that's not a big deal either. Thanks for asking.

[NJTF1Bowman]

Well another update, went to Wildwood again this past Satuday and what do you know about three to four block south of the convention hall there was a Motel that sat on three quarters of a block well it's gone now.

[Bones42]

I just watched a documentary type show on a NJ channel about Wildwood and it's history. It was actually kind of interesting. The last 15 minutes was about their current trends of replacing the old hotel/motels with condos. From the show, there are definitely two groups down there anymore, the hotel/motel owners and real estate developers. The motel owners are saying the real estate developers are driving everyone away and will eventually "kill" Wildwood. The reat estate developers are saying the hotel/motel owners just don't understand the current wishes of people. They don't want to stay in hotels, they want condo rentals. :rolleyes:

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Originally posted by Bones42
I just watched a documentary type show on a NJ channel about Wildwood and it's history. It was actually kind of interesting. The last 15 minutes was about their current trends of replacing the old hotel/motels with condos. From the show, there are definitely two groups down there anymore, the hotel/motel owners and real estate developers. The motel owners are saying the real estate developers are driving everyone away and will eventually "kill" Wildwood. The reat estate developers are saying the hotel/motel owners just don't understand the current wishes of people. They don't want to stay in hotels, they want condo rentals. :rolleyes:

I saw this show too. It was very interesting. I never realized that Wildwood was such a music mecca.

I don't know a whole lot of people who can afford to buy a condo down there. (My wife almost bought a condo in Diamond Beach 20 years ago for the whopping price of less than $30,000. Can you imagine?). What they are doing is taking the profit away from the hotel/motel owners andp utting it int he pockets of developers.

Not for nothing, but the hotel/motel owners. for most part, have a hx. of treating the tourists like crap. Most of the hiotels down there are sub-standard when compared with other resort areas at comparable prices. No sympathy from me. I do think, however, that the only place that will survive realtively intact will be the Cerst. the rest of the place is headed the way of Asbury and Perth Amboy.

You will never catch me in Wildwood again (unless I am doing a fire down there).

[Bones42]

I never realized that Wildwood was such a music mecca. Total agreement.

the rest of the place is headed the way of Asbury and Perth Amboy Interesting you mention Asbury. It's in the process of being "revitalized". How? Tearing everything down and building overpriced condos. :rolleyes: Asbury will never be what it used to be. The "revitiliaztion" will never work as who would want a high-priced condo with the drug capital of the shore in your back yard.

[SAFDENG506]

Yeah i'm going down to Wildwood...Gonna be a good year hopefully. Another REPEAT from last year. I'm prob gonna go down after class on friday or even thursday depends on my schedule with school and work. The family is going down so i cant be too too wild but i plan on having a good time. :D :D

[FIRE1426]

My Dept stays in the crest of wildwood at Pier6600 for the past 30 years we have a nice hotel it's on the beach and it's not to crazy hotel prices are cheap compared to some of the others , a great place to eat is Juan Pablos real good food and at a decent price :)

I would like to see some hands on training demo's but with all the people down their i think that it would be to packed to even get near it. Half the time you cant even move in the tents :mad:

[Bones42]

There are 4 seminars offered this year at Wildwood. 2 on Wednesday and 2 on Thursday. From what I have been told, they are all classroom lectures and no hands on. Starting time is 8:30am each day.

[FIRE1426]

Does anyone know if we have to stay for the meeting on friday and saturday the meeting on friday is 2 hrs and saturday is all day some years we had to stay other we signed in and left ? :confused: :confused: :confused:

[PFDTruck2]

There are 4 seminars offered this year at Wildwood. 2 on Wednesday and 2 on Thursday. From what I have been told, they are all classroom lectures and no hands on. Starting time is 8:30am each day.


Do you know what the classes are on?

[Bones42]

Does anyone know if we have to stay for the meeting on friday and saturday the meeting on friday is 2 hrs and saturday is all day some years we had to stay other we signed in and left ? :confused: :confused: :confused: God, I hope you put more effort into it than this. :(


Juvenile Fire Setters seminar, NJ Fire Deployment Act, can't remeber the other 2.

[FIRE1426]

We left because nobody in the state had to stay for the metting unless they wanted to :p ANOTHER WORDS IT WAS OPITIONAL :eek:

[BD6413]

We left because nobody in the state had to stay for the metting unless they wanted to :p ANOTHER WORDS IT WAS OPITIONAL :eek:


If i understand correctley either the Friday or Saturday Meeting was kind of a manditory thing. You had to present your card both signing in and out to receive credit for the meeting I believe companies receiving money for this had something to do with it. - I'm not a delagate so I really don't know but rumor around the station has it as such.

In General the convention is a BIG WASTE OF TIME Meetings where basically nothing gets accomplished, A parade with fewer and fewer companies participating each year, Expo and Equipment Muster still being held in out-door tents usually soaked with mud from over-night rains that are convention tradition. - Not to mention the tents are so crowded you can hardley move {Yet they built this multi-million dollor convention center how come we're still outside ??????

And let's get to the motels....1st. of all extremley over-priced - infact the whole city is over-priced. I'll spend in a course of a weekend in Wildwood what I'll spend in an entire week in Myrtle Beach, S.C. with Meals {excluding my beach front condo which I pre-pay every January} and I'm driving down there at these wonderful gas prices. The party atmosphere of the Wildwood Convention can be pretty crazy too. Ever go to the Firehouse Tavern the Thursday / Friday Night of convention ? well if you ever get the chance pass on it. Never a dull moment, crowds out the door and fights galore - Just not worth it.

Each year at least for the last few some drunk idiot either jumps from thier motel balcony into the pool and ends up parlized for life or dies in those moonlit-mightnight ocean swims because "The Water looks so calm" - some get tickets or actually arrested for drunk and diorderly acts and than there are others - the vast majority - who come to convention, have a good time {yeah get a little juiced if they're drinkers} and act responsible. I say this every year the convention is an over priced waste - it needs major over-haul.

[NJTF1Bowman]

The only classroom lecture that was brought up at the pre-meeting was one by the State Police on Highway Op's.... The word on if they are going to require people to re-sign in was brought up again, it depends on attendance at the end of the meeting Friday if they draw names on Saturday.

[Bones42]

1 is Arson detection and K9's. The last of the 4 is Sizeups on Factories and Warehouses.


(Those are the 4 according to NJ DFS, so how correct that may be...)

[tanker1595]

See ya at the beer garden! lol :)

[EngCo29]

Hey all we go down every year, we are not sure if our rep. wants us to bring our new truck down this year.I think we will like last year,who elses company is brining down their apparatus?

[224FFEMT]

I am very interested in any training that will be going on @ the convention this year. If anyone has any details (when, where, what, pre-reg required?) please e-mail me @ sta224ffemt@comcast.net . Thanks!!

[MEck51]

224, Contatct the DFS or go online.The classes are usaly fire inspector or instructor classes. Maybe one day we can actualy have classes that will benifit all of firefighters that attend and are sober. Oh wait I guess we wouldn't need any. NJ firefighters need to take the oportunity to speak up and demand the classes and than attend. Wildwood should not just be a drink fest but a chance to learn.

[PFDTruck2]

MEck51

I agree, other states and organizations have training as part of there conventions.

[sassy1]

:confused:
I am unclear on what Wild wood is??? I hear talk from a few members here about going but no one has actually been too specific on how you go about doing it? ( Okay.... that doesn't sound right :rolleyes: ) Well... I didn't know you have to have a room. Actually I thought from listening to some guys from a different dept. that it was an amusment park???? Then I found out it was more like a convention... with lots of drinking :D So I really want to go and be part of it, but I'm not sure where, when or how... But then again that's no suprise for me these days!
Help me !
Sassy would like to know what the deal is?!
I want to be there! ;)

[Bones42]

Wildwood is the host town for the NJ State Fireman's Convention. The "idea" of the convention is for the states county fire associations and their delegates to have a meeting to elect officers and conduct business. That normally accounts for about 4 hours of the Thursday-Saturday event.

Unfortunately, 99% of the people there think of it as "a convention... with lots of drinking" and make it the most embarrassing event for the NJ fire service there is.

If you go, you will see (most likely) the world's largest number of "whackers" wearing every FD T-Shirt slogan EVER made, the largest "whacker" light bar displays in creation, way too many males and females getting way too drunk, a large fire that every squirrel in the state will show up, try to help, chastise the wildwood FD, throw things at them, and mess with their crap, and if "tradition" continues, some jack@$$ will get drunk and die trying to drive on the beach, swim in the ocean, or fly from an upper floor balcony into a pool.

Yup, it's truly a weekend to be proud of. :rolleyes:

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Wildwood is the host town for the NJ State Fireman's Convention. The "idea" of the convention is for the states county fire associations and their delegates to have a meeting to elect officers and conduct business. That normally accounts for about 4 hours of the Thursday-Saturday event.

Unfortunately, 99% of the people there think of it as "a convention... with lots of drinking" and make it the most embarrassing event for the NJ fire service there is.

If you go, you will see (most likely) the world's largest number of "whackers" wearing every FD T-Shirt slogan EVER made, the largest "whacker" light bar displays in creation, way too many males and females getting way too drunk, a large fire that every squirrel in the state will show up, try to help, chastise the wildwood FD, throw things at them, and mess with their crap, and if "tradition" continues, some jack@$$ will get drunk and die trying to drive on the beach, swim in the ocean, or fly from an upper floor balcony into a pool.

Yup, it's truly a weekend to be proud of. :rolleyes:

That's the best assessment of the event that I have ever seen.

Question: If you are a whacker, do you still think "they" are whackers?

[DougVelting]

<shamefully raising my hand>
Former whacker, realized it a few years ago, sorry for not waking up sooner :)

[Bones42]

Doug, when the "Rolling River" was new...some "whackerism" was allowed. :p

[sassy1]

:o What's a whacker??? :confused:

[Bones42]

In a nutshell, they worry more about light bars, sirens, scanners, and T-Shirt slogans than fire training. They talk as though they have been at ever major incident in the country and most have yet to even be on a line in 1 fire. They can recite all of FDNY's 10 codes ;) but not tell you anything about their own engine and/or their own departments procedures. Lot's of times, they tend to be new, young, and male....but not always. They aren't bad people, just "whackers".

[hoseheadmaps]

bones,

you forgot a whacker will most likely have at least 2-3 pagers on their side - one department just isn't enough.

didn't a drunk cop kill someone last year. I once heard that there is more damage over the one weekend there then during the entire 3 weeks of "senior week" in June.

we're you at the wet down in the early 90's at your place.......

[Bones42]

Not sure on the details of last year's.

I was one of the chairmen of the Party on the Beach. Twas quite a day. In the little parade, we had 223 vehicles registered. 3 tillers drove down our main street mostly sideways, like the Little Rascals. As I remember, Yardley PA did quite well with the judging.

And in that day, 3 complaints to police. 1 was for someone blocking a driveway, 1 was for a guy (actually 5) mooning a lady, 1 was public urination. It was refreshing to see such a large gathering controlled well and very little trouble. :)

[hoseheadmaps]

we still have the bronze statue displayed in the front of the station.

i know our ladder took overall piece at wildwood last year - the first time in many years the top prize has left the state. i'm not sure if it will be back to defend top honors this year or not.

still not sure who started the water fight at your parade - got a little crazy

[Bones42]

still not sure who started the water fight at your parade :o might have been one of the chairmen... :cool: ;)

[hoseheadmaps]

there aren't many people left in our dept that were there - for those who were it still comes up as one of the best parades we've been to.

remember when someone thought a kid was lost in the surf and a human chain was formed to find the kid in the ocean, only to come to find they were safe on the beach.

[Bones42]

Yup. Nothing like having a couple hundred "experts" coming to the rescue. :rolleyes: We were just about finished with the tug of war. Remember the reddish/brownish pit? Few gallons of ocean water, couple large bags of purina dog chow, powdered hawiian punch mix, and some gravy for coloring. THAT left a mark on quite a few white uniform shirts. :D

ps - 125th anniversary is coming in a few years. Planning is already under way. ;)

[hoseheadmaps]

have to mark the calander-

stay safe

[MEck51]

I agree with george, which strangely enough has been happening a lot lately. Anyway, bones your assesment of the convention is dead on. I have even read in an earlier post someone complain about the four hours that you are actualy supposed to be doing something, hello you get paid to be there if you are a delegate. Suck it up. In answer to an earlier question, yes an off duty PD member struck and killed a person. Last year or the year before a person tried to go swimming in one of the worst currents in NJ and sadly died. It is realy a sad state of affairs. I only go because I live less than 5 miles away and can get out before it gets too ugly.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

I agree with george, which strangely enough has been happening a lot lately. Anyway, bones your assesment of the convention is dead on. I have even read in an earlier post someone complain about the four hours that you are actualy supposed to be doing something, hello you get paid to be there if you are a delegate. Suck it up. In answer to an earlier question, yes an off duty PD member struck and killed a person. Last year or the year before a person tried to go swimming in one of the worst currents in NJ and sadly died. It is realy a sad state of affairs. I only go because I live less than 5 miles away and can get out before it gets too ugly.

Did the off-duty PD member also happen to be a volly?

Don't forget. Someone post one piece of meaningful business that was accomplished down there.

[FFTrainer]

Don't forget. Someone post one piece of meaningful business that was accomplished down there.
We've answered 6 calls including an MVA with entrapment since half our guys headed south!?!?! :confused:

Oh wait that was something meaningful that got accomplished up here where we are still sworn to protect our community!!!

[NJTF1Bowman]

Well, as far as I could tell the convention was calm. But then again I was under my car half the time (POS Merc. decided to throw a tie-rod end, cost me $200 to get it repair and it had to be cash) alot of talk in the meeting again about housing in Wildwood and the same replies. The item about benefits for firefighters on active duty with the military that are killed in action did pass, and after a heated talk the exec. committee was pressured into having a quick meeting about upping the money for lifemembers and delegates by $25 for this convention and afterwards they will review the cost of housing and transportation each year. Again the subject of a second fireman's home was brought up with no reply from the exec. end.

[njt4276]

Just returned from the State Convention. We arrived in Wildwood on Thursday afternoon. Went to the boardwalk late in the afternoon and paid 4 dollars to park in the lot behind Macks Pizza. We stayed late and returned to our rented house. The next morning we went to the same lot only finding that the price to park was now 10 dollars. We paid and headed to the tents and truck displays. When walking out of the lot were we parked there was a pile of signs made with prices up to $30 for parking. We walked passed one location charging 20 dollars and another charging 25 dollars. Pricey huh. Well we returned back to our rental and decided to go back to the boardwalk that evening. Again the price changed for parking. Saturday we went to Cape May. Walked the shops and paid 4 dollars per hour for parking at the Acme. We ate at a local pub and lunch cost us 75 dollars (6 people). Some of us could only eat half of our sandwiches due to the meat being real strong. On the way out of this pub I picked up another menu and found the pricing to be less. The girl in charge said that this was their regular menu. The menu we were given was for our weekend at the shore. We left there and went back to the rental. Dinner that evening was at a Buffet on Oak street. They charged 11 dollars per person for food that we found dried out and bad tasting. We left there and went to the parking lot by the Convention center where the cost for parking according to the sign was two dollars. When we returned to this same lot Sat night to attend the parade awards the fee changed to three dollars. The total out of pocket expenses came to $300 not including the rental. This by the way was an additional $300. I get nothing from the Relief Association because I choose not to attend the meeting. This is a very expensive weekend for us on a fixed income.

I hope something changes so that we can continue to enjoy this Convention.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Well, as far as I could tell the convention was calm. But then again I was under my car half the time (POS Merc. decided to throw a tie-rod end, cost me $200 to get it repair and it had to be cash) alot of talk in the meeting again about housing in Wildwood and the same replies. The item about benefits for firefighters on active duty with the military that are killed in action did pass, and after a heated talk the exec. committee was pressured into having a quick meeting about upping the money for lifemembers and delegates by $25 for this convention and afterwards they will review the cost of housing and transportation each year. Again the subject of a second fireman's home was brought up with no reply from the exec. end.

So if I understand you correctly, most of the business at the convention was convention-related. Soif they didn't have a convention to complain about, there would be almost no business to discuss and no need for a convention.

How'd I do?

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

Just returned from the State Convention. We arrived in Wildwood on Thursday afternoon. Went to the boardwalk late in the afternoon and paid 4 dollars to park in the lot behind Macks Pizza. We stayed late and returned to our rented house. The next morning we went to the same lot only finding that the price to park was now 10 dollars. We paid and headed to the tents and truck displays. When walking out of the lot were we parked there was a pile of signs made with prices up to $30 for parking. We walked passed one location charging 20 dollars and another charging 25 dollars. Pricey huh. Well we returned back to our rental and decided to go back to the boardwalk that evening. Again the price changed for parking. Saturday we went to Cape May. Walked the shops and paid 4 dollars per hour for parking at the Acme. We ate at a local pub and lunch cost us 75 dollars (6 people). Some of us could only eat half of our sandwiches due to the meat being real strong. On the way out of this pub I picked up another menu and found the pricing to be less. The girl in charge said that this was their regular menu. The menu we were given was for our weekend at the shore. We left there and went back to the rental. Dinner that evening was at a Buffet on Oak street. They charged 11 dollars per person for food that we found dried out and bad tasting. We left there and went to the parking lot by the Convention center where the cost for parking according to the sign was two dollars. When we returned to this same lot Sat night to attend the parade awards the fee changed to three dollars. The total out of pocket expenses came to $300 not including the rental. This by the way was an additional $300. I get nothing from the Relief Association because I choose not to attend the meeting. This is a very expensive weekend for us on a fixed income.

I hope something changes so that we can continue to enjoy this Convention.
What are you going to change? Pass a law that says you have to cook good food? Pass a law that says you can't raise prices when a special event comes to town? Pass a law that says you can only charge $1 to park on private property?

I can fix these problems easily. Don't go. All FF boycott next year's convention. The secret is that you don't need to have a convention anyway. Have a one day meeting somwhere, get the mandatory business done and go home. Screw Wildwood. It is a city in decline and doesn't know it yet.

[Engine58]

I've attended the firemens convention for the past 6 years 3 of them as a regular firefighter, I'm only 20yrs old and I've had enough already...Its expensive and theres nothing but problems because everyone gets there beer muscles and thinks they are big and bad....sure it happens all the time...but seems to happen more so amongst the firefighters. The tents this year were OK...Found some good little toys for my gear at decent prices...most of the t-shirts they were selling were "wackerish" On a good note I was mighty impressed with what the Fire Association has done with the Make a wish foundation and what they did for the kid who was the grand marshal of the parade. giving him that turnout gear was a really nice gesture but yea...the convention this year on a scale of 1-10....I give it about a 3 or 4....As for attending next year...I dont think so.....The hotel we've been staying in is being demolished to make room for yet MORE condo's. The convention needs a major overhaul and until things change for the better...I dont think I will be attending anymore...On the bright side we did get to check out some tower ladders and get information for a new truck...That was about the only thing we got accomplished this weekend of importance..

[DrParasite]

it was a waste of time.

I went down on saturday, left around noon, figured everything would still be on show until 5pm.

got there around 2pm, all the demo trucks were gone, the tents were all closed, the place was deserted.

I won't pay to stay over night, it's a waste of money because all that goes on at night is everyone gets totally wasted.

two hours down, two hours back, nothing to eat between 2pm and 4:30pm (everything was closed).

unless them move it to a more centralized location, as well as provide other stuff to do on the weekend time (and not close at 5pm), I probably will never go down to wildwood again.

[NJTF1Bowman]

So if I understand you correctly, most of the business at the convention was convention-related. Soif they didn't have a convention to complain about, there would be almost no business to discuss and no need for a convention.

How'd I do?

You are correct, most of what was brought up was about the convention at Wildwood and the problems with housing. The last 30 minutes was interesting because someone did their homework and had the exec committee over a barrel on a motion on the floor. We did vote "NO" on having the convention in Wildwood for 2010 or more like not to decide on Wildwood in 2010

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

The bottom line is that this organization does nothing to advance or promote the fire service in NJ. There are so many issues facing the fire service in NJ, yet these guys simply go out to perpetuate their party time. It's a waste of time, money and resources to continue to have this convention and pretend that this organization is doing some good.

[hoseheadmaps]

can a list of the winners be found anywhere??? highest BAC. , most vomit in one try. first to get so drunk they piss themselves??

[Bones42]

Actually, I had a pretty good time. Saw quite a few vendors that I wanted to who had the products on site to see. Found a couple new restaraunts that are off the beaten path. Saw a bunch of friends from around the state that I don't see enough of. Saw more State Forest Service vehicles than I knew existed. :eek: Meetingwise, sorry to say but the leaders of this organization again embarrassed themselves in showing how incompetent they are and the epitomy of the "good ole boys club".

It will be interesting to see how many of the guys that spoke up about the location will come back with ANY suggestions of new locations. It's been talked about for years and there has yet to be a valid suggestion.

I will admit that I was surprised that the resolution to increase the max age failed.

[PFDTruck2]

I went down Weds. and returned Sunday. Theres 20 of us that stay at the same motel and we didn't have any problems. We compiled alot of information for spec'ing out our new truck and had some gear questions answered for spending our grant money.

[Klink75]

Get ready for price gouging to set in for next year. This was our last year at our current motel - getting knocked down sometime in the next 2 weeks. We lost our previous motel 4 years ago to the same thing. We tried to get into a new place for next year and were told that we must rent the entire motel, for a price of $165 a night per room for street side, $185 a night for ocean side. :eek: As the motel owner said, "It's all about the money, if you don't like it, then don't come down." The same place only charges between $50 and $65 a night for Irish weekend.

[NJTF1Bowman]

This the last year for the motel I stayed at also......Big sign out front for the condos that will be going up in it's place....going for $649.900 per unit....there is no way you can tell me that the prices during the convention don't go up (them dumb firemen will pay anything to stay) and don't look for relief when the new motels get built (brand new motel/hotel are going to charge out the @$$ for rooms) which won't be available for another 2 to 3 years down the road. I hope the "NO" vote for the 2010 convention gets some attention in Wildwood, The Wildwood Business Assco. better wake up and smell the smoke cause this is going to be a four banger by that time if nothing is done to control the motel/hotel owners jacking the rates up.

[Klink75]

I checked out a few of these new $500k+ condos that were under constuction when I was down there. The majority of them are no bigger then the average motel room. Sorry, if I'm going to invest that much money into a property, it's not going to be in Wildwood.

[Knighthawk]

Well, NJTF1 Bowman,

You really hit the nail on the head with this one. That's all the convention seems to be anymore, nothing but "whackers" and the every popular public description of the term "Volunteer Firefighter" - Overweight, Smoking, Beer Swilling, Every FD T-shirt wearing person. Thanks for keeping the volunteer image alive fellas!

I stopped going when the department made it clear that "your" family isn't welcome down here 'cause we are gonna get drunk, raise some h&ll (sorry closest thing to an e I could find), and drive apparatus around with the lights on, heaven forbid you should stop by and say HI and maybe eat some food from the hospitality room!! Besides the Sales tax, Hotel Tax, Convention Tax, and any other tax we can slap on has gotten way out of control.

Although I do like the Idea of making the convention productive by having some training going on. I mean you've got all these vendors displaying there products lets have some H.O.T. training going on and make a sale!!! You want me to buy your extrication gear because you have them sticking out of a car in serveral spots, SCBA, Turnout gear beacuse it looks pretty on the manakin???

Oh well, enough for now - you call all rip me a new one now.

[FFTrainer]

Oh well, enough for now - you call all rip me a new one now.

Rip you a new one??? FOR WHAT?? Being right?

I bet if you offered HOT and Classroom training along with the meeting part of the convention that my dept would be a 180 degree swing. Those of us who stay home and maintain a working dept would want to go and the 'others' would not be interested and would stay home.

Sad isn't it??

[sassy1]

I'm not sure what I should make of Wildwood. I drove down there by my self, and the convention center was closed. The tents were already starting to pack up, and there was supposed to be a parade, but I missed it trying to see what the vendors brought. I wasn't impressed though. Most of what I saw, I'd already seen in catalogs ( and cheaper too). To top it off, I couldn't find where I parked my car ( which led to it's own adventure) and I couldn't eat until after 4:30 in Cape May to get seafood. I felt like I was driving all over for nothing. But hey... Dr. Parasite got a $41 Lobster tail out of it... see how grateful I was to have a FF brother come save me! ;)
I think it would be more productive if most of the convention took place later in the week and into the weekend, so not as much time could be whittled away on booze.. ofcourse, if I want to pretend that I'm in a B-movie remake of Animal House ( Firefighter style) I could always join the part a little earlier next year! :p

[Halligan84]

I agree that the Association does little to nothing for firefighter causes. My personal feeling is that the relief money should be used while we are alive for safety and operations. Think about the average town merely investing in a 10K term life insurance policy, the cost would be far less than what is in the Relief accounts now. As far as the rest of the weekend, I had always thought that the Association ran that too until a few years ago. The Wildwood FD's put the rest of the weekend on (parade, tents, etc..) , I would suppose any training opportunities could be coordinated through them if they were interested. My company always has a pretty good time, we pay our own way except for delegates and get together for a barbeque during the parade. For quite a few of our members the whole family comes down. The room rates are getting crazy, but where along the Jersey shore isn't?

[Bones42]

Ok, for Sassy and DrP, who appear to not know when the convention is, the tents are open from around 8am FRIDAY until around 12:00pm SATURDAY. The meetings are 1pm on FRIDAY and 10am SATURDAY. The parade starts at 1pm on SATURDAY. Most of the trucks on display are gone before the parade starts as some of them are in the parade. Coming down late morning on Saturday you will see very little of anything convention related as that is when it ends. Saturday night, at the convention hall, there is a short ceremony giving out awards from the parade.

as for eating...anyone that would pay $41 for a lobster tail :rolleyes: (I hope it was at least good ;) )

[sassy1]

Thanks Bones... I'll keep that in mind for next year, after all I wasn't even sure what Wildwood was two weeks ago...As for the lobster tail.. I bought that for DrP. And I finished it for him(he wasn't impressed) and yes it was good. I wanted Seafood ( the ocean smell did it) and we couldn't find anything, so we ended up carpooling over to the Lobster House in Cape May. Not bad, but more than it was worth. A beer and steak would've been better and cheaper. Again... all things to keep in mind next year ( if I go). :p

[Bones42]

mmmmmm, Lobster House. Was guessing that was where you went. I'd like to say their prices change at other times of the year, but I can't. Been there off season and on and they seem to be in the same area. Cape May is a great little area to visit.

PS - Hours of operation for convention will be the same in 2006 and it will be farewell to our hotel also. :(

[sassy1]

What do you mean ... a fare well to our hotel"... ???? I thought all the condo's they're building were there for rental as well. Not only that but I'm sure they can't tear down every hotel in the town? Is there something special about that one Hotel???? Yes, as you can see I am still very confused at the whole Wildwood thing... ironically everyone at the firehouse has been asking me if I've gotten blonder lately??! :p :rolleyes:

[BD6413]

I think the No Vote for 2010 might open the eyes of the Five Mile Beach Association, Business Associations, Ect....But what about 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 ??? Four More Years of outrageous prices, limited housing / motels and a parade that is an absolute disgrace.

My company had about 20 - 25 people attend some with famlies and some guys solo. {No Competition -- Delagates attended the meetings} and by 11:00 on Saturday Night most were back home. {70 Miles away} -- I remember in years past when I attended We would stay the full three days and three nights, Clean up at the parade {5 Years in row Over-All State Championship} Let our hair down and have a party Saturday Night and head home right at 11am check out on Sunday.

Now......The wax is hardened, Armor-All is packed away, and the rags are retired. {Fire House is under major construction} There is no reason to attend this mess any longer........As I previously Posted earlier in this segment I traveled to Myrtle Beach at the end of August. Minus Our Portion of the beach front rental {Split 3 Ways}, and Fuel for the trip down and Back My Wife and I spent less in a week than we would have in three days at Wildwood and had alot more fun.......Gotta love the beach, golf, and a little shopping. We came close to Wildwood expenses but in the end not as much as I bugeted for.

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

I agree that the Association does little to nothing for firefighter causes. My personal feeling is that the relief money should be used while we are alive for safety and operations. Think about the average town merely investing in a 10K term life insurance policy, the cost would be far less than what is in the Relief accounts now. As far as the rest of the weekend, I had always thought that the Association ran that too until a few years ago. The Wildwood FD's put the rest of the weekend on (parade, tents, etc..) , I would suppose any training opportunities could be coordinated through them if they were interested. My company always has a pretty good time, we pay our own way except for delegates and get together for a barbeque during the parade. For quite a few of our members the whole family comes down. The room rates are getting crazy, but where along the Jersey shore isn't?

No no no no no no no!

You have no understanding of what the real mission of the Relief Association does aside from the convention. No insurance policy can do what the local Reliefs do. Please don't make that mistake.

My complete and total problem with them is this stupid, poor excuse for a convention and the lack of productive business that takes place at the convention.

BTW, I seem to remembeback in the "80's that they voted not to have it in Wildwood anymore. The convention bureau begged and pleaded and promised to play nice and the FF's gave in.

That is what will happen this time...mark my words.

[Halligan84]

Well.. one more down.. from what I hear the Lobster House burned to the ground over the weekend....

[sassy1]

Umm... EXCUSE ME--Now I am totally lost???!!! What exactly is the purpose of this convention? Is it to obtain detailed goals for the LOSAP thing or the retirement home in Boonton??? Or is it to Display and sell/buy merchant goods, or is it just a special end of summer "Hoo-rah?"? It doesn't seem to have any kind of clear purpose to the outside eye(like me). Just clarification would be nice. This is all new to me. We have NOTHING like this out West. :confused:

[sassy1]

:eek: :eek: No WAY??!!! Are you serious???!!! Weird. :(

[DrParasite]

Ok, for Sassy and DrP, who appear to not know when the convention is, the tents are open from around 8am FRIDAY until around 12:00pm SATURDAY. The meetings are 1pm on FRIDAY and 10am SATURDAY. The parade starts at 1pm on SATURDAY. Most of the trucks on display are gone before the parade starts as some of them are in the parade. Coming down late morning on Saturday you will see very little of anything convention related as that is when it ends. Saturday night, at the convention hall, there is a short ceremony giving out awards from the parade.

as for eating...anyone that would pay $41 for a lobster tail :rolleyes: (I hope it was at least good ;) )
you know bones, I came down last year (friday night into saturday morning), and thought the tents were open later than 2pm. either way, it doesn't pay for me to take off a day from work, drive the two hours each way, pay an over priced rate at a hotel, just to go home on saturday at 3pm. it's just not worth it.

and as much as sassy hates me to say it, i wasn't impressed with the lobster tail. but it was a different taste, and I'm glad i did try it (and even more glad that sassy treated me to it :D ). but next time, and good burger and some french fries, and I'll be just as happy as having lobster tail.

as for the fire at the lobster house, here is what I found:
Charred Restaurant to Reopen
CAPE MAY HARBOR, NJ-September 27, 2005 - Just a day after a devastating fire, a landmark business at the Jersey shore restaurant will reopen.
Action News was first with the pictures of this fire at the Lobster House restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf in Cape May Monday morning.

The fire started in a storage area and heater room.

Fire did spread to part of the main dining room. It will remain closed today.
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=local&id=3477550

and

Fire Damages New Jersey Lobster House Restaurant
POSTED: 8:16 am EDT September 27, 2005
UPDATED: 10:56 am EDT September 27, 2005

LOWER TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- Fire damaged the landmark Lobster House Restaurant in Lower Township on Monday, leaving hundreds of employees out of work.

State Commerce Department officials are considering what to do for the 350 employees. The restaurant is one of the largest employers in south Cape May County.

The cause of the fire has been traced to a malfunctioning exhaust fan.

No one was injured.

The wholesale seafood business, fish market, raw bar, dockside take-out operation and schooner will reopen Tuesday.

The business has been a fixture since the 1920s.

[Bones42]

Sassy, the convention is for the State Relief Associations to get together and conduct some business. Discussions about the home in Boonton and the whackjob from Ocean County that wants to build a second home paid for by casino's is a constant. LOSAP is not discussed as it has nothing to do with the Association. The vendor displays and tents are just byproducts of something having a lot of FF's around in one area. The light bar displays draw them like moths to a bug zapper. :D

Why isn't Wildwood seriously going to worry about the convention not being there? Simple. Find another place. When a reasonable one is suggested, maybe they will worry. A/C is often discussed and always gets the same response...A/C won't allow a weekend convention.

PS - Sassy, by "our" hotel, I meant the one that my company has stayed in since the convention returned to Wildwood from A/C. It's being torn down after the 2006 season and replaced with some "supertower" thing of 28 floors. Yes, there will be condo's available, but they are being geared more for long term rentals, not a weekend. By the way, this would be the hotel that is closest to the convention hall, it had a big billboard on the side showing it's future appearance.

[sassy1]

Oh. Okay... :) Thanks for the clarification, and BTW DrParasite...The next time you come save me from being stranded and alone.. a burger and Beer is exactly what you will get! No complaints there from me either! ;)

[MEck51]

Lobster House. I was first in engine (we respond in automatic aid for that area). We managed to make a good stop despite it taking nearly an hour and a half for the electric co. to show up. The fire was located in very close proximity to what was reported as an 1000 amp power lines. We had to wait for a power crew from Glouscter, I guess some of you jeresy guys know how far that is. Anyway, we saved most of it. The raw bar and schooner are still there, and they hope to have the main dinning areas reopened by thanksgiving. The kitchen and storage areas took a big fire hit, but the dinning rooms are mostly water damage from a sprinkler pipe that busted and the fact that we weren't going to shut it oof until we could get lines where we needed them without getting electricuted. Just my luck though, big fire and our normal pump operator was on vacation leaving me the lovely chore of wrestling for pressure.

[sassy1]

Well who cares about the Lobster House??!!! Atleast you're safe!!! Thankyu for your hard work--sorry you had to wrestle. :p

[rescueal]

3 bed room condo for rent

Do you still need a place to stay during the convention? what about a 3 bedroom condo, on Spencer ave near ocean ave, just a few short blocks to the convention hall.

The price is for the 14th, 15th and 16th of September for only $600.00 (aaditonal nights are only $150.00 per night)

Do the math, thats only $100 bucks per guy for 3 nights..it sleeps six

All we ask is that you follow a few simple house rules:

Don't let the place catch on fire..I think you can handle that right?
Don't leave your partner passed out in the bathroom.
Don't leave a mess...make the rookie clean up each morning.
Oh, and don't bring attention to any over zealous cop to the condo..They love to ticket noise violators

A small refundable security deposit of $500 on top of the fee will be required.

if you are interested and in need of a place to sleep, email me at Albert.almeida@yahoo.com

Good luck!

[NJFFSA16]

I haven't been to Wildwood for many years...what's expected this year?

The NJ Forest Fire Service is celebrating it's 100th anniversary, in conjunction with the NJSFA Convention.....but you won't find me making my way to the land of TramCars. :eek:

Been ripped off by hotel/motel owners, disenchanted by lack of equipment displays and/or training opportunities, disappointed and embarassed by the actions of immature, drinking firefighters, unimpressed by activities conducted at the business meetings and thoroughly fed up with driving 130 plus miles for the opportunity to sleep in a rundown facilty, with no restaurant, arrogant staff, no place to park, high prices...and an attitude of "we've got you by the ball$...take it or leave it."

No thanks....I'm on my way to a conference in Big Bear Lake, California and then...on to Hawaii, where for 185 bucks a night..in my studio condo on the beach in Maui...I can sip a cool one and enjoy the sunset in peace. :cool:

NJ