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New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJ FMBA)

The New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJ FMBA) is the largest labor union representing over 6,500 career Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, and Dispatchers throughout New Jersey. Founded in 1897, the NJ FMBA advocates for the interests of its members and the communities they serve at the local, state, and federal levels. Mission Statement

It is the mission of the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association to represent, protect, and educate the Firefighters, EMTs, and Dispatchers throughout the State of New Jersey through representation at the local, state, and federal level. To advocate on the publics' behalf for legislation that protects both our citizens' and first responders' safety. To protect and maintain the health benefits, pensions, staffing, and any other benefit negotiated for our members through collective bargaining.

History

The New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association was organized and established on December 11, 1897, at the first annual convention held in Jersey City, NJ. At that seemingly uneventful gathering, whereupon only six original member Locals: Jersey City, Paterson, Hoboken, Newark, Trenton, and Camden, united to incorporate under the banner of Firemens Mutual Benevolent Association of New Jersey, birth was given to a new era in the history of the career fire service in New Jersey.

Thomas O’Neil of Jersey City Branch 1 was elected as the first President of our organization, along with Harry Lester of Paterson Branch 2 as Vice President, Jason McCarron of Newark Branch 4 as Secretary, and Michael Cambell of Trenton Branch 6 as Treasurer.

At the time of its formation the NJ State FMBA had Branches, not Locals. They were assessed $5 per year. Back then, Pensions and Legislation were as much a priority for the organization as it is now. They discussed the Pension of Law of 1896 and gave the President authority to have the Legislative Committee, one of the first Committees formed at the Convention, to act as they saw fit to block passage of any bill that may be “a detriment to the Firemen of this State.” In retrospect, it is, at best difficult, to estimate if our founding fathers possessed full awareness of the time enduring significance and the tremendous positive impact this organization was destined to have upon its members, their families, and the general public throughout the decades to follow. Given that particularly industrious point of our society’s growth and development, the time was perfect to organize such an association. And organize they did. By 1907, less than a decade from its inception, Local membership doubled from six to twelve locals, with total membership increasing to 1,157. Today, with 130 Fire, EMS, and Dispatch Locals on its roster, the New Jersey State Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association proudly maintains an active membership of over 6,500 career personnel.

Structure and Membership

The NJ FMBA is composed of Locals throughout New Jersey, each representing Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians and Dispatchers in specific municipalities or regions. The Union works to ensure that its members have access to crucial support services, such as legislative advocacy, disability benefits, and legal assistance. Members are employed by municipal, county, and state departments. The NJ FMBA is governed by an elected board of officers, including a President, Executive Vice President, District Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary and Trustees. Locals are also governed by their own elected leaders who handle day-to-day concerns specific to their communities.

Advocacy and Legislative Efforts

A major aspect of the NJ FMBA’s work is advocating for policies and legislation that benefit Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, Disptachers and their families. This includes lobbying for: • Improved safety standards and equipment for first responders • Workers' compensation and disability benefits • Legislation related to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues affecting first responders • Advocacy for proper funding for Fire Departments and EMS services • Increased support for survivors of Fallen Firefighters • Pension and Heaalth Benefit security • Cancer Presumption and Cancer Screening

The NJ FMBA has successfully lobbied for several laws in New Jersey that enhance Firefighter safety, including stronger workers' compensation protections and legislation that provides for the treatment of certain cancers as work-related diseases for firefighters. As well as legislation that recognizes Dispatchers as First Responders.

Community Outreach and Support

The NJ FMBA has an active role in community outreach. It supports local charities, disaster response initiatives, and public education campaigns on fire safety, emergency preparedness, and health awareness. The association has long-standing partnerships with several organizations that assist in the health, safety, and well-being of New Jersey’s residents.

In addition, the NJ FMBA operates various fundraisers through our 501(c)(3) Foundation, including charity golf tournaments, 5K runs, and food drives, all aimed at giving back to the community and supporting their charitable goals.

Notable Initiatives

The NJ FMBA has been a key player in several high-profile initiatives, including:

• Pension Break Out of NJ PFRS: The NJ FMBA spearheaded efforts to establish a separate pension system for Police and Firefighters in New Jersey (PFRSNJ).

• New Jersey Fallen Firefighters Memorial: The NJ FMBA aided in securing funds to build a memorial which honors the lives of firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

• Firefighter Cancer Screenings Legislation & Roll out: Established to raise awareness and test for fire-related cancers

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Awareness: The NJ FMBA has been a vocal advocate for addressing PTSD among first responders, providing education, resources, and legislative support to ensure mental health is treated with the same seriousness as physical injuries.

• Fire & EMS Lifeline: The NJ FMBA worked with the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety and Rutgers University to establish and fund a 24/7 hotline to provide aide and resources to First Responders throughout New Jersey.

• NJ FMBA Political Action Committee The NJ FMBA PAC is the political arm of the NJ FMBA. It was formed to help fund the work of the Legislative Committee, to support legislation beneficial to our membership, to block and/or amend legislation detrimental to our membership, and to support candidates for elected office whose platforms are consistent with the goals and objectives of the NJ FMBA. In addition, the NJ FMBA PAC is registered with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission as a Continuing Political Committee and as such, complies with all of its laws and regulations. No dues money is utilized to fund the NJ FMBA PAC. All donations are voluntary.

• Independent Expenditures: The NJ FMBA established First Responders for a Stronger New Jersery, Inc. to make voluntary independent expenditures on the behalf of the NJ FMBA for the benefit of its members and interests.

Leadership

The NJ FMBA is led by a team of dedicated professionals, including:

President Ed Donnelly: President Donnelly is the driving force behind the NJ FMBA's mission. He has been instrumental in the passage of significant legislation, including the S-5 Pension Carve Out, Fire/EMS Lifeline, COVID-19 Presumption, and the Bill Ricci World Trade Center bills.

Executive Vice President Wayne Wolk: As the Labor Chair, Executive Vice President Wolk brings decades of experience in contract negotiations and labor relations.

Treasurer Troy Powell: Treasurer Powell manages the NJ FMBA's budget and provides financial guidance to local chapters.

Secretary Chris Esposito: Secretary Esposito maintains the NJ FMBA's membership database and ensures that information is disseminated effectively.

District Vice Presidents: District Vice Presidents provide support and assistance to members across their assigned regions.

Northern District – Ed McKeown

Central District – Kevin Beyrouty

Southern District – John Varallo

NJ FMBA Foundation – The 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the FMBA supports a variety of causes, including: • Children's Burn Camp • Family Promise of Bergen County • Mark A. Virag Memorial Cancer Fund • Team Shamrock • The Burn Center at Cooperman Barnabas • Tunnel to Towers Foundation • Victims of fire and natural disasters

The NJ FMBA Foundation raises funds through various events, including: • Fallen Heroes 5K Memorial Run • Annual Foundation Golf Outing • Cooked and Uncorked • Mark A Virag Memorial Fishing Trip • Mark A Virag Cornhole Tournament

NJ FMBA Presidents:

Thomas O’Neil - Jersey City Local 1 1897-1903

Michael J. Ryan- Paterson Local 2 1904-1908

William H. Aiken - Atlantic City Local 8 1909-1910

Thomas P. Plunkett – Hoboken Local 3 1911-1915

Frank M. Beckett - Atlantic City Local 8 1916 & 1918

George C. Henry - Oranges & Montclair Local 10 1917

Robert Campbell - Paterson Local 2 1919

Peter Cooney - Bayonne Local 11 1920-1921

Thomas P. Plunkett – Hoboken Local 3 1922

Frank M. Beckett - Atlantic City Local 8 1923

James Fallon - West New York Local 15 1924

Kohler Dunn - New Brunswick Local 17 1925

Thomas Dowd - Newark Local 4 1926

Martin Farrell - Passaic Local 13 1927

Thomas Fagan - Newark Local 4 1928-1929

William Tettemer – Trenton Local 6 1930

Joseph Kernaghan - Atlantic City Local 8 1931

John Grimly - Harrison Local 22 1932

Nicholas Head - Montclair Local 20 1933-1934

Humphrey Lynch - Bayonne Local 11 1935

Joseph Scott - Maplewood Local 25 1936

Frank Finnerty - Hoboken Local 3 1937

James Delaney - Elizabeth Local 9 1938

Robert Wonsetler - Camden Local 5 1939

Fred Bailey -Weehawken Local 26 1940

August Bomke – Plainfield Local 7 1941

Arthur Wright - Bayonne Local 11 1942

William Boorer - Trenton Local 6 1943

James Van Houten - Clifton Local 21 1944

William Mccullough - Ridgewood Local 47 1945

Chester Strzelecki - Newark Local 4 1946

Joseph Mcnamara - Passaic Local 13 1947

George M. Salzmann – Union Local 46 1948

Daniel Tomasule - Trenton Local 6 1949

Chester Strzelecki - Newark Local 4 1950-1953

Spencer Smith, Jr - Camden Local 5 1954-1956

William Mallon - Elizabeth Local 9 1957-1969

August J. Duva - Jersey City Local 1 1970-1973

James Heller - Rahway Local 33 1974-1975

William J. Kosakowski - Bayonne Local 11 1976-1989

William Flynn - Paterson Local 2 1990-1992

Charles Steinel - Union City Local 12 1993-1996

William J. Lavin - Elizabeth Local 9 1997-2013

Edwin Donnelly - Union Local 46 2013- Present

State Office Location: The New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association 1447 Campbell Street Rahway, NJ 07765 732-499-9250 Social Media:

Instagram: @njstatefmba Facebook: njstatefmba

References:

“New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association.” New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association, www.njfmba.org.

New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association. Information Guide, 2024

“NJ Legislature Bill A3939 Session 2024 - 2025.” New Jersey Legislature, 2024, www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2024/A3939. “NJ Legislature Bill A6093 Aca (1R) Session 2020 - 2021.” New Jersey Legislature, 2024, www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2020/A6093. “NJ Legislature Bill S5 ScaSa W/GR (3R) Session 2018 - 2019.” New Jersey Legislature, 2024, www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2018/S5. “NJ Legislature Bill S716 Aca (1R) Session 2018 - 2019.” New Jersey Legislature, 2024, www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2018/S716. “NJ Legislature Bill S2898 Session 2018 - 2019.” New Jersey Legislature, 2024, www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2018/S2898.

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