Nebraska Serious Injury & Line-of- Duty Death Response Team
3rd Annual Meeting Minutes
01/09/2010

Kearney Training Facility
4300 Piper Avenue

Team Mission Statement: “Assist families and departments to Honor with
 the highest dignity our injured or fallen Brothers and Sisters by 
representing the highest quality of attitude and professionalism
Meeting was called to order at 9:00am by President Karla Houfek.

Attended: Tom Grosse, Andrea Weed, Brad Isaac, Leo Benes, Roger Hanson,
 Mitch Bolte, Mark Bonser, Nolan Paulsen, Roseanne Scurto, Karla Houfek,
Casey Pascal, Rick Bourque, Bill Fortune, Tim Norris, Dave Backhus, 
Todd King, Kevin Placzek, Carrie Wagner, Ron Tubbs, Jim Schafer, Bruce 
Messenger.

Welcome by Kearney Fire Chief Jerry Thompson
Introduction of Honorary Survivors - Deanna Schutte, Melissa Wach, Eva
Heminger and Melissa Woitalewicz.
Introduction of Board of Directors and E-Board
Introduction of Members

Secretary’s report from 01/17/2009 Annual Meeting was read by Roseanne 
Scurto.  Motion by Kevin Placzek and seconded by Todd Grosse to approve
 as read, motion passed.

Treasurer’s report from 01/17/2009 was available in individual packets 
for review.  Motion by Leo Benes, 2nd by Rick Bourque to approve report.
Motion passed.

OLD BUSINESS
2009 Accomplishments
* No Line-of-Duty Deaths for 2009, job well done!  2 years running with
 no LODD! 
* L.A.S.T. Team shirt sales to Response Teams in 24 states
* Monthly E-Board Conference calls
* LB206; Line of Duty Dependence Education Act – Report by Bill Fortune
 stating that the NSVFA and the IAFF   worked together to secure 
benefits for LODD’S
* Confirmed Gene Copple’s death was a LODD (worked with his widow) 
* Submitted PSOB for Deputy Christopher Johnson-Platte County Sherriff.
* Submitted PSOB for Hall County Correction Officer – John Fosket. 
* “Taking Care of Our Own” class will be held at the Annual 2010 
Nebraska State Fire School in May
* Code save at fire school – Meadow Grove Fire Department member. 
*Monthly Remembrance Newsletter
* Nebraska Firefighter’s newspaper provided to all survivors at no 
cost. 
* NFFF 31 cent scoop fundraiser with Baskin Robbins. 
* Tubbs & Nielsen to TCOOO Class in Minnesota. 
* Assisted Nebraska Law Enforcement Memorial Committee dedicate their 
memorial.
* Cast members in California.
* “Call to duty” ride in memory of Jeremy Wach.
* Terry Farrell Jim Beam Promotion ($1,000).
*Nebraska Fire & Rescue Memorial – Wood River. 
* National Honor Guard Commanders association asked to send in a 
feature article for the NHGCA web site on the NSILODD trailer.  
* Team annual Picnic at Scurto’s. 
* Several TMA, CISM meetings: Feb. Waterloo, March Beatrice, April St. 
Paul & Blue Valley Conference, July Waverly.  
* 2nd Annual Meeting held at Kearney VFD Station #1 January 17, 2009

2010 Upcoming Events
Feb. – Les Lukert Mid-Winter Conference
May 2010 – Annual Nebraska State Fire School
August 2010 – 3nd Annual Response Team picnic to be held at Karla 
Houfek’s home
October 2010 – National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in 
Emmitsburg, MD

Nebraska Fire/Rescue Memorial
Mark Bonser presented an overview of the Memorial status, several of 
which were already presented in the accomplishments section.  
The E-Board has designated this Memorial as the Teams priority for 
2010 until completed.

NEW BUSINESS

ELECTION OF OFFICERS – All positions are 2 year terms and up in 2012. 
Board of Directors / Seat #1 – Leo Benes
Board of Directors / Seat #2 – Ron Tubbs
E-Board President – Karla Houfek
Treasurer –Mitch Bolte
Member at Large #2 – Nolan Paulsen

Karla Houfek requested that those in attendance to please complete 
the 1yr, 3yr & 5yr goals for the Response Team. Complete ASAP and 
submit to Karla your team goals.

The trailer has been organized and is color coded.  Inventory book is 
inside the trailer and the check out process needs to go through 
Melissa Woitalewicz.

Discussions of the following – whether to e-mail minutes to the 
membership monthly or not.  The minutes are posted on the website for 
easy access one month following the actual meeting (after approval by
the e-board).  Suggestion was held about having a monthly meeting for 
all members to call into.  Move the annual meeting around the state 
instead of centrally located.  Meet every 6 months in October and 
February so there is more involvement of the entire team.  Some members
 feel like there is nothing going on in the organization and would 
like involvement in the e-board meetings and other activities.

Membership – still taking applications for Western Nebraska if you 
know anyone who is interested they can get an application on the 
website.  

Discussion of expressing final wishes:  Suggestion to put a guideline 
on the website for fire departments to have their membership fill out 
and sign and share with their family while also keeping it on file at 
the fire station so if they should pass their wishes are known.  It is
suggested that the Chief of individual departments might have to write
 a SOG.  

Motion by Dave Backhus to adjourn the meeting 11:00, seconded by Leo 
Benes. Motion carried.  Lunch followed meeting and then annual training
 began at  12:00.

Annual Training – 
Team training was provided by Keith “Doc” Patterson, sponsored in part
by the Nebraska Society of Fire Service Instructors.   The training 
was on motivation and the Nebraska Fire & Rescue Memorial project, how 
to succeed.  Suggestions on how to accomplish the memorial project in 
fundraising, support, getting the information out there and so on.

Respectfully submitted,
Roseanne Scurto
Secretary

Nebraska Serious Injury & Line-of- Duty Death Response Team
Conference Call – 12/05/10

Team Mission Statement: “Assist families and departments to Honor with
the highest dignity our injured or fallen Brothers and Sisters by 
representing the highest quality of attitude and professionalism

Meeting was called to order at 20:10 by President Karla Houfek.

Attended via phone:  Karla Houfek, Mitch Bolte, Brian Policky and 
Nolan Paulsen.   Excused: Roseanne Scurto Mark Bonser,

Secretary report:  Motion to approve the minutes from 11/07/2010 by 
Mitch Bolte and seconded by Brian Policky and passed with all in favor.

Treasurer’s report: Presented by Mitch Bolte as sent to all E-Board 
members.  Motion to approve the treasurer’s report by Brian Policky 
and seconded by Nolan Paulsen ~ unanimously Approved.  (See attached).

OLD BUSINESS

Memorial:  
Mark will report at next month’s meeting.

Remembrance newsletter: continues to go out on the first day of the 
month to all members.  We continue to post on Facebook the date of past
LODD’s to remember those lost.  Discussion, are all board members 
receiving the newsletter, continue emailing newsletter next year.

Shirts – Added Connecticut.

Fire School – Nolan will visit with Kyle Ienn on anything else he needs
 and as of now Kyle is the only one that has expressed any interest in 
being on the Fire School Committee.  Discussion on challenge coins 
distributing at Fire School. Maybe consider a kool-aide stand at our 
booth at fire school and let Ryan W. run it.

Museum Garden Committee:  Tabled until next month when we have more 
information.  Ken Tracy borrowed our trailer for the memorial garden 
dedication and in turn they would like to purchase something for our 
trailer as a thank you.  Possibly considering a platform to be used for
 funerals if we have a means to transport it.  Considering something 
portable and foldable but have no idea what it would cost.  Currently 
Kevin Edwards and JR Christensen get the one from Millard when we need 
one.   If we pursue this we would suggest Kevin and JR as the people 
assigned to handling this.  Brian Policky will talk to Kevin and JR and
 gather more info and see where we want to go with this.  Eagle Raceway
 would like to contribute to the purchase of some item as well so 
possibly this could be done with the two groups together.  May get 
between $300 and $400 from Eagle Raceways, and anticipate that it might
 cost $600ish.  Nolan offered to have the design drawn up.   We will 
keep this on the agenda until we find out more information.

Eagle Raceway – We do not know at this time what the donation amount 
will be but the money should be coming soon.
Tabled until next month.  Karla will contact Susan. 

Chester Peak – We (Nebraska) are at an point of being able to do as 
much as we can for them without crossing boundaries and doing their 
teams work.  We will stand by until we hear more from them or when 
they need more from us.

Annual Meeting will be January 15, at the Ralston Fire Station.  It will be an 8 hour refresher put on by NFFF, 
followed by the annual meeting.   
Committee reports
•	Treasurer Guidelines update for bylaws- Brian Policky
•	Election Committee- JR Christianson, Kevin Edwards, Ken Self
•	Secretary Minutes from 2010 meeting, Roseanne 
•	Treasurer Report for annual meeting – Mitch Bolte
•	NFRM update- Mark

Lunch- Mitch will take care of putting this together. 
Transportation for NFFF members - Nolan will take care of this.

New Business –

	Doc Patterson will be coming back to Nebraska in Feb at the NSFSI Conference covering Advanced Boot 
	Camp… more info to come!

Anything for the good of the cause?    Bonser assisted Hall County of Corrections with their 11/05/2009 
	Line-of-Duty Death John Fosket. Bonser helped secure  PSOB benefits for Fosket’s family.

Team Successes:  Ryan Hummert – Missouri
	PSOB Paid to the following – 
                             January 2008 – Linda Soderquist 
                             February 2008 - Teresa Aunkst
                             June 2008 – Melissa Wach
	                             November 2010 - John Fosket (Hall County of Corrections)

Motion to adjourn by Brian seconded by Mitch and passed.  Meeting adjourned at 20:56. 
       Minutes taken by Nolan Paulsen 
       Nebraska Serious Injury & Line of Duty Death Response Team.

12/05/10

Nebraska Serious Injury & Line-of- Duty Death Response Team
Conference Call – 11/07/10

Team Mission Statement: “Assist families and departments to Honor with the highest dignity our injured or fallen 
Brothers and Sisters by representing the highest quality of attitude and professionalism

Meeting was called to order at 20:07 by President Karla Houfek.

Attended via phone:  Karla Houfek, Roseanne Scurto, Mitch Bolte, Brian Policky and Nolan Paulson.  Excused: Mark 
Bonser.

Secretary report:  Motion to approve the minutes from 8/01/10 and 09/19/10 by Mitch Bolte and seconded by Brian 
Policky and passed with all in favor.

Treasurer’s report: Presented by Mitch Bolte as sent to all E-Board members.  Review of annual expenses include:  
Insurance for trailer and its contents, licensing of the trailer, taxes, accountant expenses all total probably 
approximately $1000.  Will have something established with details for the annual meeting.  Motion to approve the 
treasurer’s report by Roseanne Scurto and seconded by Brian ~ unanimously Approved.  (See attached).

OLD BUSINESS

Memorial:  
Mark will report at next month’s meeting.

Remembrance newsletter: continues to go out on the first day of the month to all members.  We continue to post on 
the date of past LODD’s to remember those lost.

Shirts – Working with Washington on shirts and Wyoming (who is in the process of putting a team together based out 
of Casper and are asking us for our help in forming their team and for shirts). Will continue to leave this on the 
minutes.

Fire School – At this point we do not have anyone putting this together for 2011, but Karla has been thinking 
about the class and was a part of a CISM training put on by a presenter out of Baltimore recently that dealt with 
post traumatic stress and listened to a speaker, suggests that we consider this type of a class for fire school
 – but utilizing people that have learned from their own experiences, for example, Wymore and Wood River members 
stated that they experienced this when they went through their loss and wish they had known some of the do’s and 
don’ts after experiencing a loss.  Discussion of ideas for fire school and will be passing it on to Nolan to 
implement into the 2011 class.  Along with the protocols for types of funerals for firefighters lost (line of duty 
or not).  Possibly consider “tracks” for the class to offer a variety of options so we don’t continue to have the 
same class we have always taught.  Nolan will continue working on this with these new ideas.  
Maybe consider a kool-aide stand at our booth at fire school and let Ryan W. run it.

Museum Garden Committee: Ken Tracy borrowed our trailer for the memorial garden dedication and in turn they would 
like to purchase something for our trailer as a thank you.  Possibly considering a platform to be used for funerals
if we have a means to transport it.  Considering something portable and foldable but have no idea what it would 
cost.  Currently Kevin Edwards and JR Christensen get the one from Millard when we need one.   If we pursue this
 we would suggest Kevin and JR as the people assigned to handling this.  Brian Policky will talk to Kevin and JR 
and gather more info and see where we want to go with this.  Eagle Raceway would like to contribute to the purchase
of some item as well so possibly this could be done with the two groups together.  May get between $300 and $400 
from Eagle Raceways, and anticipate that it might cost $600ish.  Nolan offered to have the design drawn up.   
We will keep this on the agenda until we find out more information.

Trailer Question – Mitch asked if we have an inventory list for all the items in the trailer. If so, where is it?  
Karla replied that the list in to the left of the side walk in door.  There is a clipboard that lists everything 
in the trailer and what tote it is in.  Since it was being used at the time that Mitch was showing it the list may 
have been in Ken Tracy’s possession.  BUT, it should be in there.  Karla will follow-up with Melissa W. to make 
sure the sheet is there.

Eagle Raceway – We do not know at this time what the donation amount will be but the money should be coming soon.  
Will report at next meeting.

Chester Peek – Chester has been moved from Madonna but we do not know where to.  Spoke with Andy Moffit twice 
since then but he was supposed to return calls and still has not.  Karla has not followed up since.  Discussion 
and the consensus is that Kansas should handle their people but we feel bad for the family because they are 
receiving no help from their team.  Karla will forward all e-mail communications on to Eric Nagle so that they 
can see what we have tried to do to help and under the pretense that we are just following up now that Chester is 
out of Nebraska and Kansas is now back in the lead on this.  Mitch asked the question of “does the Dept of Justice 
actually do anything at all to assist the serious injury person” and got the answer of “we don’t really do much 
about that.  Wanted to know if we know what they do for serious injury.  Karla reported that she believed that 
they do have a PSOB program and Kevin Placzek has been our contact with the attorney because our involvement began 
in Kearney region.  Will follow-up and send info to the e-board.

Annual Meeting will be January 15, at the GI Law Enforcement Training Facility and an e-mail has gone out to 
Russ Zeeb in an effort to get some of the law enforcement guys to attend the training.  It will be an 8 hour 
session followed by the annual meeting.

Newsletter – just sent out to all members to keep everyone updated.

Executive session – 8:47 pm.  Out of session at 8:50.

New Business –

	Doc Patterson will be coming back to Nebraska in Feb at the NSFSI Conference covering Advanced Boot 
Camp… more info to come!

Anything for the good of the cause?  Nothing to report.

Team Successes:  Ryan Hummert – Missouri
		PSOB Paid to the following – January 2008 – Linda Sonderquist, February 2008 - Teresa Aunkst,
June 2008 – Melissa Wach

Motion to adjourn by Roseanne Scurto seconded by Mitch Bolte and passed.  Meeting adjourned at 20:56. 
Roseanne Scurto 
Secretary ~ Nebraska Serious Injury & Line of Duty Death Response Team.			12/04/10

Nebraska Serious Injury & Line-of- Duty Death Response Team
Conference Call – 9/19/10

Team Mission Statement: “Assist families and departments to Honor with the highest
 dignity our injured or fallen Brothers and Sisters by representing the highest 
quality of attitude and professionalism

Meeting was called to order at 20:03 by President Karla Houfek.

Attended via phone:  Karla Houfek, Roseanne Scurto, Mitch Bolte & Brian Policky.
Excused:  Mark Bonser and Nolan Paulson,

Secretary report:  Motion to table the minutes from 10/01/10 taken by Mark Bonser,
until the next meeting by Mitch Bolte and passed with all in favor.

Treasurer’s report: Presented by Mitch Bolte as sent to all E-Board members.  
Motion to approve the treasurer’s report by Roseanne Scurto and seconded by Brian
~ unanimously Approved.  (See attached).

OLD BUSINESS

Memorial:  
Mark will report at next month’s meeting.

Remembrance newsletter: continues to go out on the first day of the month to all 
members.  We continue to post on the date of past LODD’s to remember those lost.

Shirts – No shirts sent out this month.  Will continue to leave this on the 
minutes.

Trailer Use Protocols Discussion – Kyle had indicated that we needed to do 
something in reference to this.  Karla opened the floor for discussion.  
Brian stated that he was fine with allowing fire departments to use our trailer 
and letting them do what they think is right and what the family wants for the 
funeral but we need to limit how much our team is involved in the funeral 
especially when it comes to the family requests and proper criteria for levels of
funerals.  
Mitch stated that he feels we need established guidelines as a team, unsure whose
we should use as an establishing example but strongly feel that we cannot dictate
what a fire department chooses to do for a funeral.  IF they use our team then 
we should tell them that these are the guidelines we follow for this type of 
funeral and if we assist then we have to do this but if you want to use our 
equipment and do as you please then that should be acceptable.  If we do the 
funeral then it should be by our guidelines.  But if we loan equipment to them 
then they should be able to do as they please.  
Karla stated that we are currently using guidelines from Taking Care of Our Own,
from Dan from Illinois.  We see these level 2 & 3 funerals as training for a level
1 funeral.  
Roseanne stated that in her opinion it would be so difficult to tell families 
that they cannot have a certain aspect in their fallen funeral when we really do
not know how active or how much this person may have given to the fire department.

Will educate fire departments on the different levels of funerals criteria, what 
is normal for each level of funeral so they are aware of what is acceptable. 
Establish a guideline form that is sent out to all fire departments that lists 
all options and lets them choose what they want for their fallen.  Include this 
in the trailer as well so when it is borrowed they know what the levels are and 
expectations are. Don’t need to change protocols at all – just need to advise 
fire departments of what they are.  We can do this education through fire school
class as well as TCOO classes.  Also send it out through the mail list that we 
have and other forms of sharing.  The more the better.

Chester Peak -  Will be moved to a facility in Omaha to work on his memory, 
cognitive skills.  He is still not doing well at all.  Karla has been working 
with Kevin Placzek on the benefits aspect of Chester’s situation.  Madonna has 
told us that Chester’s wife has not been to see him, they have three children and
 she has had to take a part time job to supplement the lost income.  Doesn’t 
sound like they are getting any help from anyone in Kansas to do the paperwork, 
and Kansas has not been receptive and has not returned any of our e-mails so a 
call was placed to Andy Moffit by Karla when they had asked for assistance in 
transporting one of their individuals from Kansas to Nebraska and asked what is 
it you need from our team to assist with.  Told him what we have done already 
and he was very appreciative of the update and he was supposed to follow-up with
his teammates in Kansas.   
Some concern of why Nebraska is doing so much while Kansas is doing so little.  
Nebraska has visited Chester more and done more to find out financial help then 
Kansas has.  Karla will let the team know when he is moved to Omaha and were he 
ends up at so if anyone up there can see him they will know where he is.

New Business –

	No new business.

Applications – No applications at this time.

LAST TRAINING – Kyle told us that the foundation would like to do LAST Training 
refresher classes in our state and would we like to incorporate that into our 
annual meeting?  Officers all agree that it would be a great idea and that we 
should do that for the January 2011 annual meeting.

Newsletter/Overview – September will be the next update to all members on the 
status of the team.  Then will try and get a newsletter put together after that 
with Roseanne.

Anything for the good of the cause?  Nothing to report.

Team Successes:

	Ryan Hummert – Missouri
	PSOB Paid to the following – 
		January 2008 – Linda Sonderquist
		February 2008 - Teresa Aunkst
		June 2008 – Melissa Wach

Motion to adjourn by Roseanne Scurto seconded by Mitch Bolte and passed.  Meeting
adjourned at 20:36.

Roseanne Scurto 
Secretary
Nebraska Serious Injury & Line of Duty Death Response Team.

11/06/10

Nebraska Serious Injury & Line-of- Duty Death Response Team
Conference Call – 08/01/10

Team Mission Statement: “Assist families and departments to Honor with the highest dignity our injured 
or fallen Brothers and Sisters by representing the highest quality of attitude and professionalism

Meeting was called to order at 20:05 by President Karla Houfek.

Attended via phone:  Karla Houfek, Mark Bonser, Nolan Paulson Mitch Bolte present.  
Excused, Roseanne Scurto Absent: & Brian Policky.

June Minutes: Motion by Bonser seconded by Bolte to suspend reading of the minutes.

Treasurer’s report: Presented by Mitch Bolte as sent to all E-Board members. Trailer license plates, 
insurance and accountant’s bill are all past due. Mitch will take care of bills immediately. Motion to
 approve the treasurer’s report by Bonser seconded by Paulsen, approved.    
Beginning balance $5869.84

06-09 check #1060    $541.50 Ralston Vol. Fire Dept. (reimbursement for rooms 
for  guest speakers at fire school)
06-10     "     #1125        10.70 U.S. Postal Service
06-15     "     #1126          4.90 U.S. Postal Service

Ending balance    $5312.74

OLD BUSINESS

Memorial:   NFRM CC was held 7/22/10. Karla working on a FF appreciation day at Eagle race way. She will 
meet with race way representatives on 8/03 and update the team. Minutes attached for E-board’s review.

Monthly remembrance news letter has been sent.

We have received several good reports back from the 2010 Fire School class. Paulsen will chair the committee 
for the 2011 FS classes, if interested contact Paulsen.

New Business –

Applications:  None

20:33 – Executive session.  
20:37– Executive session completed

Kansas FF’s – Several team members have made time to visit with the injured KS FF’s while in Kearney & Lincoln 
hospitals. Houfek has visited the FF in Madonna Re-hab nearly daily. Anyone available to visit Chester 
Peak please do.

NSILODD (Houfek) provided lodging for FF’s Family members.

Placzek working with the Kansas State Firefighter’s Association to secure benefits for their FF’s and their 
Families.

Bonser serving as Liaison between KS LAST & NSILODD.

Anything for the good of the cause?

Motion to adjourn by Bolte, seconded by Paulsen - passed.  Meeting adjourned at 20:45. 

Mark Bonser
Vice President
Nebraska Serious Injury & Line of Duty Death Response Team.				
08/01/10

Nebraska Serious Injury & Line-of- Duty Death Response Team
Conference Call – 6/17/10

Team Mission Statement: “Assist families and departments to Honor with the highest dignity our 
injured or fallen Brothers and Sisters by representing the highest quality of attitude and 
professionalism

Meeting was called to order at 20:06 by President Karla Houfek.

Attended via phone:  Mark Bonser, Karla Houfek, Roseanne Scurto, Nolan Paulson & Mitch Bolte.  
Brian Policky excused for work.

Secretary report:  Roseanne corrected the minutes to reference the last page referring to Rick 
Bourque to remove his last name from the minutes because we did not know who it was until later 
when confirmed by the attorney.  Motion to approve the minutes from 4/11/10 by Mark Bonser, 
seconded by Nolan and approved.  May 2, 2010 minutes also presented and corrected the change 
of “will be attempting to schedule interviews with the widows”, motion to approve with that 
change by Mark Bonser, seconded by Mitch Bolte and approved.  
Treasurer’s report: Presented by Mitch Bolte as sent to all E-Board members.  Question of 
May 10 & May 6 receipts of postage to be reimbursed by the memorial committee for the total of 
$58.45.  Motion to approve the treasurer’s report by Mark Bonser, seconded by Nolan Paulson
 ~ unanimously Approved.  (See attached).

OLD BUSINESS

Memorial:  
IRS issues with the 2008 taxes were never filed and Karla is handling the situation but at this 
time will not hear anything back until after July 8, 2010.  This subject will be tabled until more 
information is available.  The IRS has recommended that the team add to their by-laws that the taxes 
be filed every year by our team CPA after the annual meeting.  In 2009 it cost us approximately 
$500+ to do the team taxes and the question was raised that it would be nice to find a CPA that 
would donate those services.  Discussion of who does taxes, or should do taxes and if we should 
do our own.  This issue will be tabled until new information is received.  Do need to put together
 a policy and procedure for taxes to be done in a reasonable time period after the first of each year.
  Nolan and Brain will research this and bring suggestions to the next meeting.  Mitch noticed that
 on the 2009 taxes Kevin P. name is still listed so he will take it back to the accountant and have 
it corrected to read his name instead.

PSA- Still trying to get everyone together on a date and time to do the recording.  Mel Wach was 
contacted but has declined involvement.

Water fight Money - Mark was told the money raised was around $2800 but has still not seen any of the 
funds.

Salt dogs Game – coming up next weekend – Approximately 55 tickets sold so money raised is roughly $400.

COINS – Have sold about 25 so far, some through online sales other through personal contacts. Wisconsin and
 Arizona have also contacted us and said they really liked our coins and would like permission to use the 
layouts just changing the side showing the state.

Water fight pictures – All the pictures are posted online and available for purchase with 100% of the profits 
going to the team – so far $17 raised, hoping for more.

Remembrance newsletter:  Continues to go out to all members and posted on face book to remember those lost.

Shirts – sent out another shirt to Wisconsin. We have sold a lot of shirts.  Will continue to leave this on 
the minutes.

Trailer – Wood River has the trailer and they said that they would complete the task of getting the names put
 onto the trailer so that should be done.  Will follow up to make sure it is done.  We have been asked 
recently if it has been done, and why it has taken so long.

Fire School – We had the booth for the team, two tables and room for the trailer, just like last year.  
Kudos’s to Leo and Bev Benes for their support and sales pitch for the tickets and water fight sign-up. 
Unfortunately had very few team members actually help at the booth or ever acknowledge those at the booth.  
Thanks to Samantha Desh as well for being there most of the time.  Water fights were very fun and successful.
  Mitch wanted to actually thank Grand Island Fire Department for everything they did for the success of the
 water fights, Ron Tubbs specifically.  And to those that actually put the time in at the booth.

Summer Picnic – Will be at Karla’s on August 7.  Invitations will be sent out to everyone.

Executive session – Went into at 20:38 went into executive session.  IRS discussion.  Exited executive 
session at 21:18.

New Business –

	No new business.

Applications – Letter of interest to joining team written to Leo Benes from Rick Schneider.  Karla will 
follow-up.

Cairo Iowa Situation – Lost a paramedic and a patient in a MVA involving an ambulance last month.  A member 
of the team was talking to one of GI’s Paramedics and was questioning what benefits the family was getting, 
no benefits were being put out so they went to Mark Bonser to see if there was any way he could get them any 
help.  Mark contacted Ellen at the Iowa Last Team and shared the info and she is now going to follow-up 
because it is a countywide ambulance utilizing tax dollars and shared the contact info with her for her 
follow-up.  The director sent a thank you because he was now in contact and able to get signed up for 
benefits.  Would like to suggest that the team help IF deemed necessary, but only if the Iowa team is not 
able to follow-thru.  Maybe advise John Proels of the situation if necessary.  Mitch reported that he met 
Ellen at the firefighters memorial and she stated that she is the only member of the response team in Iowa 
and that she is proceeding with the paperwork.  She also asked that anytime we had any training that we 
invite her and allow her to attend so she can learn more.  Mark will follow-up with her and just see if 
she needs anything at all.

Iowa Memorial – Mitch reported that he met the lady that was responsible for the memorial in Coralville.  
Roger Hanson & Mitch Bolte attended the ceremony.  Mitch has the book of plans for their memorial for the 
committee to use.  
Minutes – Discussion of whether to send out minutes to each member after each meeting or to post on the 
website and let the members go to the website to view.   Motion by Mark Bonser that following the monthly 
e-board meeting the minutes from the previous month’s meeting (after approval) be posted on the team website 
and the Secretary send an e-mail to every member with an overview of the monthly minutes, a statement that 
the minutes have been posted and any pertinent information/updates.  Seconded by Mitch Bolte.  Passed 
unanimously.

Anything for the good of the cause?  Nothing to report.

Team Successes:

	Ryan Hummert – Missouri
	PSOB Paid to the following – 
		January 2008 – Linda Sonderquist
		February 2008 - Teresa Aunkst
		June 2008 – Melissa Wach

Motion to adjourn by Mark Bonser, seconded by Roseanne Scurto and passed.  Meeting adjourned at 20:41. 

Roseanne Scurto 
Secretary
Nebraska Serious Injury & Line of Duty Death Response Team.						

4/11/10

Nebraska Serious Injury & Line-of- Duty Death Response Team
Conference Call – 5/02/10

Team Mission Statement: “Assist families and departments to Honor with the highest dignity 
our injured or fallen Brothers and Sisters by representing the highest quality of attitude 
and professionalism

Meeting was called to order at 20:04 by President Karla Houfek.

Attended via phone:  Mark Bonser, Karla Houfek, Roseanne Scurto, Nolan Paulson & Mitch Bolte.

Secretary report:  Motion to table the minutes from 4/11/10 until the next meeting by Mitch
 Bolte and seconded by Bonser.  Passed with all in favor.

Treasurer’s report: Presented by Mitch Bolte as sent to all E-Board members.  Mitch confirmed 
that the check from the NSFSI Treasurer for $300 (for Doc Patterson) had come through the bank
 last month and has been shown now on the report, account balance is $6232.05.  Motion to 
approve the treasurer’s report by Roseanne Scurto and seconded by Mark Bonser ~ unanimously 
Approved.  (See attached).

OLD BUSINESS

Memorial:  
Alda Fire Department Celebrity auction total was approximately $6250.00.  Check has not been 
given to Mark as of yet.  Kevin P. may have it in his possession.

Challenge coin is going in to production tomorrow.  Dave Backhus is handling the coin and 
Roseanne helped to design the coin proof.

There will be approximately $500 deposit made into the account from a local bank in town where 
the ladies paid $5 to be able to wear blue jeans on casual Friday.

Alda is working on another $10,000 grant from somewhere to help with the memorial.

Will be attempting to schedule interviews with Eva, Melissa and Mel W so they can do the PSA 
for the memorial.  The guy that designed the face book page and other social networks is 
working on that.  GI TV is doing this, along with advertising through face book, U-tube, 
twitter and a 30 second public service announcement that will be aired on all the major 
networks for free as a PSA.  He charged us $1500 for the entire service and training.

Lots of progress happening with the Memorial after a lull in activity.

Roseanne reported that the application has been filled out and submitted to the Git”r”done 
foundation along with a letter about what the NFRM committee would like to do with the fire 
helmet and either a fundraiser or a raffle along with a concert by Dan Whitney.  Still have 
not heard back from them yet.  Three letters/e-mails had been sent to him in the recent past 
but decided to send it through the foundation in an effort to see progress.  Application was 
sent around May 1, will report when I hear back from them.

Karla may have the opportunity to meet with Dan Whitney through a neighbor, but he has not 
been back in town as of yet.

Baskin Robins – Ran from 5 – 10 pm and was still a line at 10pm and the shut the lights off 
and finished with who was waiting.   The boot will remain up until the end of the day today, 
asking for donations.  Approximately $255 was made in tips.  Guesstimating that we will 
probably make close to $300 by the end of the night.  LFR assisted and brought rigs out for 
the kids to see.  Bev Benes, Bruce Messenger, and always three LFR scooping at all times with 
two in the rigs.  Roseanne took pictures for the team.

Remembrance newsletter: went out in May to all members.  We will also be utilizing face book 
to post on the date of past LODD’s to remember those lost.

Face book – Questioned the criteria for adding things to the face book page, who can add 
things to the page.  Discussion of options.  May have to go through the guy that set it up for 
us, but… like the idea of leaving the it open for people to add to the page.  Be cautious of 
illicit activity added to the page and deal with that immediately.  Started the face book page 
on 4-24-10 and on 4-27 we had 163 friends, on 4-28 we had 182 friends, on 4-29 we had 219 
friends and on 4-30 we were up to 259.  On May 1 we increased to 275, and on 5/2 we were at 
309.  Every day we add at least 20 people to our face book page.  Continue to suggest your 
friends on your own face book pages to join the NFRM page.  Just keep passing the friend 
request to others and numbers will increase.

Shirts – sent out three shirts but not to any new states… will continue to leave this on the 
minutes.

Request for help - Sent out a letter to all members requesting help for transporting the 
trailer to Norfolk but never got any replies at all.  Need to get the names on the trailer 
still, can either deliver the trailer to them for placement of the decals or have them sent 
here and we can put them on.  Karla will have the names sent to us and we will place them on
the trailer.  That way we can get it done sooner – they will be mailed to Mark Bonser and he 
will take care of them.

Fire School – Mark Bonser secured a booth for the team, two tables and room for the trailer, 
just like last year.  The items for the booth were last sent to Grand Island to Fred Benzal to 
use at the Hazmat symposium and will get it to Grand Island for fire school. Needs to be sent 
up Thursday after by 4:00 pm., Karla planning to be there to take care of it but will also 
utilize some of the GI guys.  Suggestion to set the trailer up so that the back is open as 
people walks by so they can see the inside of the trailer better.  Still have no volunteers 
for the booth, Karla and Bruce can help out.  Mitch will check with Roger Hanson as well.

Class for fire school, Mark, Kyle, Ryan Nielson and Ron Tubbs have worked on the class and 
Karla sent an e-mail asking if “we, as a team would agree to pay for the speakers” and we all 
agreed to do that.  The expenses were less the $500 and Mitch and Kyle are going to work on 
the payment – Kyle said we just need to pay for the rooms and he would take care of the meals 
and other things because he got money from the foundation for other expenses.  (This will cover
 three instructors)

BBQ at Waterfites - Ron Tubbs is handling that with assistance from Mark Bonser.  Still 
looking for help at water fights but if no one steps up then Ron will work out help from GI.  
Any help that the team could assist with would be greatly appreciated – but, not much in 
replies from the team members.  Recently we got approximately 10 people that agreed to help in
one way or another at fire school.

Summer Training for the team – At the annual meeting there was a suggestion that we have a 
summer training session but there has been NO response from the team in any manner to support 
the summer training.  E-mail was sent out to all members and no one replied.  The decision was
 made to not have summer training for the team as no one seems to have any interest.  If anyone
 steps up then we can go from there.  Send an e-mail stating that no response has been received
 from any team members but if someone is interested in organizing this training then they can
 be responsible for that.  As well as info about no response for Baskin Robins, Fire School, 
summer training, and so on.

Survivors Conference is May 10 – 12 in Chicago.  Melissa Wach, Kyle Ienn and Mitch Bolte are 
going to represent Nebraska.  Would hope for a short paragraph on their experience to put in 
the June update along with fire school info.

Kyle Ienn wanted to know if the team would take over buying the purple casket flags that we 
have in stock so that if a department wants one for a funeral they contact the team.  When we 
started up we didn’t have any funds to do this project so Ralston Fire agreed to buy the flags,
 stock them and bill out when one was given to a dept.  But, would like to see the team 
actually handle this completely.  They currently order 10 because of the price cut and when 
he gets down to three he orders 10 more.  Sounds like he is sending out a lot, even for 
non-line of duty deaths.  The fire departments that request the flag pays Kyle for the flag.  
Discussion of adding American Casket flags to the stock as well.  But, the team was advised 
that if the firefighter dies in the line of duty or they are military the funeral home provides
the casket flag for free.  May run into conflicts with people that are non-line of duty deaths 
and not military, why they can or cannot have one.  Discussion.  Must follow the flag protocol 
and probably need to review the flag protocol to ensure that the rules are being followed.  
Mitch will review the protocol and send it on.  Motion by Roseanne to take over the purple 
casket flag purchasing and distributing from Ralston Fire.  Mitch can work out the details with
 Kyle to get the transfer of the purple casket flags done.

Executive session – Went into at 20:50 went into executive session.  Exited executive session 
at 20:53.

New Business –

	No new business.

Applications – No applications at this time.

Summer Family Picnic – Discussion of if we want to have one or not, E-board agrees to the party
and it will be at Karla’s with her letting her choose a couple of dates and narrow it down 
from there.  Will advise on dates.

Anything for the good of the cause?  Nothing to report.

Team Successes:

	Ryan Hummert – Missouri
	PSOB Paid to the following – 
		January 2008 – Linda Sonderquist
		February 2008 - Teresa Aunkst
		June 2008 – Melissa Wach

Motion to adjourn by Roseanne Scurto seconded by Mitch Bolte and passed.  Meeting adjourned at 
20:55.

Roseanne Scurto 
Secretary
Nebraska Serious Injury & Line of Duty Death Response Team.

4/11/10

Nebraska Serious Injury & Line-of- Duty Death Response Team
Conference Call – 4/11/10

Team Mission Statement: “Assist families and departments to Honor with the highest 
dignity our injured or fallen Brothers and Sisters by representing the highest 
quality of attitude and professionalism

Meeting was called to order at 20:04 by President Karla Houfek.

Attended via phone:  Mark Bonser, Karla Houfek, Roseanne Scurto, Nolan Paulson, 
Mitch Bolte & Brian Policky.

Secretary report from 2/28/10 e-board conference call was reviewed and motions 
to approve them by Mark Bonser and seconded by Brian Policky, passed.

Treasurer’s report: Presented by Mitch Bolte as sent to all E-Board members. 
NSFSI paid the bill to Doc Patterson for his assistance at the annual meeting.  
That check was lost and Karla re-wrote a check to the NSFSI for the LODD portion 
of his expenses.  Mitch says that the check has not cleared the bank yet; Mickey 
Dvorak confirmed that it had been deposited approximately 1.5 weeks after the 
conference.  The balance of the account is $6394.49 and confirmed with the bank 
statement.  Should be that balance unless the check didn’t come through and he 
missed it.  Motion to approve the treasurer’s report by Roseanne Scurto and seconded 
by Mark Bonser.  Unanimously approved.  (See attached).

OLD BUSINESS

Memorial:  
#1 reply from the museum board of directors – E-mail that was sent to the Kearney 
Museum group asking for our team to meet with them and their reply back to Leo Benes 
where they had originally agreed to meet on March 6 and they cancelled that meeting 
and then moved it to March 27 and we were basically told that if we were coming to 
change any plans or ask them not to do it they really did not want us to come to the 
meeting as it would be a waste of their time and gas and so after that we contacted 
the Attorney General’s Office, which was followed up from a letter from Andrew (our 
attorney ) to their attorney asking them for information to see if we were of like
 kind.

#2 Time sensitive donations – Email that Rick Bourque sent to our entire team about
the time sensitive donations in the amount of $16,000 for and it had to be received by
them no later than March 8. 2010. 
Their attorney got the letter on March 6, 2010 asking for an extension that we could 
then research to see if we were of like kind.

#3 IRS 1023 Application for LODD Team – Narrative from when the team blended with the
 NFRM committee (taking the project under our wings) we submitted this narrative which
 was somewhat vague but would cover the Memorial and any other items that we choose to
 put under our response team dealing with a line of duty death.  It was written 
approximately 4 years ago.

#4 Update on Attorney letter – This is the response that we received from the attorney
 representing the Kearney museum.  It includes their IRS letter declaring they are 
non-profit, a letter from their attorney to our attorney and their financial statement, 
which shows that the granite was purchased on February 17, 2010 which is different that 
we were advised.  It also shows a substantial donation from Rick for pedestals (which was
 confirmed by their attorney, Jim Ager.  The report also shows a large donation from the 
Kearney Fire Department for $17,850.00.  501(C) 3 status.  Still no documentation telling
 us that we are of like kind because we still have not received that narrative although 
we have asked for it.  We received this information on day 29, deadline was 30 days… we 
can go back and ask for the information that was not received but every time we do this 
it is going to cost us money in attorney fees.   Based on this information, which is 
factual and in black and white and gathered by persons outside of our organization, the
 NFRM committee has decided that no additional money should be spent on trying to gather 
information and that the committee should proceed forward with building in Grand Island.

Entered Executive session at 20:22.  Exited Executive session at 21:17.

Motion by Mark Bonser that we seek legal council to advise us on the proper action taken 
regarding the member that was discussed in executive session.  Seconded by Brian Policky.
  Unanimously passed.  Karla will contact the attorney from Ralston about the issue and 
then advise the e-board of the decision via e-mail.

The March & April LODD remembrance newsletters were sent out on the first of each month.

We have mailed shirts to the following states – none sent.

Names on trailer – Done and we need to get the trailer to Norfolk.  Is planning on sending
 an e-mail out to all members seeking a volunteer to take trailer to from Wood River to 
Norfolk to get the names on the trailer.

CAST in Chicago – May 11 – 13, 2010.  Kyle Ienn, Mitch Bolte & Melissa Wach attending.  
Expect the members that attend to send us a paragraph about their experience for us to 
post to other members.

Discussion of the membership feeling like they are left out of the communications and 
activities of the team.  Most of the communications that are happening are between the 
members of the NFRM committee and unless you are on the committee you will not get 
those emails.  Discussion of whether the minutes should be put on the website or e-mailed 
to the members, we had two people complain that it was too much work to go to the website 
to get the minutes.  Beginning in June meeting we will start sending out minutes to the 
membership.

April 14, 2010 – Sesame Street program dealing with deaths of firefighters and how to deal.

Brian Policky left meeting at 21:22.

Kyle voiced a concern about the Memorial consuming so much of the E-Boards time and suggested
 that we should make the committee a subcommittee of this team so that so many e-mails would 
not be passed amongst the membership and affect so many people.  Karla told him she would 
take his concern to the e-board and put it on the agenda for next month’s meeting.   
Discussion:  the NFRM Committee IS a subcommittee and he was a member of that subcommittee,
 Mark Bonser has been the Chair of this committee since it was formed.  Karla concurred and 
stated that she had told him that.  But in light of all the serious issues that have come up 
within the past couple of months the e-board has had no choice but to be involved in those 
resolutions.  Membership on the committee includes the following breakdown:  Members: 4, 
Survivors: 3, E-Board – 3, Board of Directors – 1.

Discussion of E-Board responsibility – including members making decisions and telling the 
Board what they are doing, not asking.  Ex:  Water fights, BBQ, CAST and several other items.
  Need to consider a discipline policy for the by-laws.  The board members feel that they 
are handling all concerns of the membership in a reasonable manner.  The E-Board does feel 
that anytime we receive a request from the general public for assistance whether it is for 
equipment or a full out funeral that information should be sent out to the membership so they
 know what is going on at any given time the e-board will make extra effort to keep the 
membership informed of happenings by sending out a update on activities as well as the 
monthly minutes (beginning in June).

New Business –

	Celebrity Auction took place in yesterday and turnout was “ok”.  Unsure of how much
 money was raised.  Had a gentleman from the Terry Ferrell Firefighter fund that was there 
to support the team, the made a donation to the team at the auction and would like to 
continue supporting the team.  He also agreed that he may be able to help the team in 
selling tickets for the fire helmets signed by Dan Whitney at FDIC and other conferences 
that he attends.  This would spread us to out all of the United States.  The guy we are 
working with, Ben Sheppard, is a member of the FOOLS International and that group seems to
have a good following.

Applications – No applications at this time.

Eric Jones has resigned from the team due to other obligations.  When he has more time to 
dedicate to the team he may send his application in again for review.

Neligh requested information from our trailer for a firefighter funeral –

Suggestion to update the portion of the by-laws dealing with who is authorized to send team 
wide e-mails.  Our bylaws currently state “All communication with the general membership will
 be approved by the President prior its distribution.”   Karla currently sends out team 
e-mails and as of now, reply all is a common practice but has shown to not always be a good 
idea.

Anything for the good of the cause?  Nothing to report.

Team Successes:

	Ryan Hummert – Missouri
	PSOB Paid to the following – 
		January 2008 – Linda Sonderquist
		February 2008 - Teresa Aunkst
		June 2008 – Melissa Wach

Motion to adjourn by Roseanne Scurto seconded by Mark Bonser and passed. 22:09

Roseanne Scurto 
Secretary
Nebraska Serious Injury & Line of Duty Death Response Team.

4/11/10

Nebraska Serious Injury & Line-of- Duty Death Response Team
Conference Call – 2/28/10

Team Mission Statement: “Assist families and departments to Honor with the highest 
dignity our injured or fallen Brothers and Sisters by representing the highest quality
 of attitude and professionalism

Meeting was called to order at 20:04 by President Karla Houfek.

Attended via phone:  Mark Bonser, Karla Houfek, Roseanne Scurto, Nolan Paulson, Mitch
 Bolte & Brian Policky.

Secretary report from 2/7/10 e-board conference call were reviewed and motion to 
approve them by Mitch Bolte and seconded by Nolan Paulson, passed.

Treasurer’s report: Presented by Mitch Bolte as sent to all E-Board members.  Comment
that the $300 payment for the services of Doc Patterson was lost and a second check 
was reissued and delivered to the NSFSI Treasurer.  Motion to approve the treasurer’s 
report by Mark Bonser and seconded by Nolan Paulson.  Approved.  (See attached).

OLD BUSINESS

Memorial:  Discussion of the issues between the Garden Committee and the NFRM 
committee and concern that legal council may be necessary.  The Board is not happy 
with the way things have been going and the nasty e-mails that have been sent as a 
result of the disagreements.  Question of how long do we continue to fight the battle
 with the Garden Committee as the obvious deception from them is making it difficult 
for the NFRM to continue working on fundraising efforts.  Discussion of what contracts
 exist between the NFRM committee and any other entities.  Discussed the consequences
 of withdrawing from them might be.  Should we involve an attorney to see exactly what
 liabilities we have to other entities?  Do we use our funds to pay for legal advice?

Motion by Karla Houfek and seconded by Nolan Paulson to proceed with the meeting with 
the garden committee if they will agree on a date and bring along an attorney to 
represent the NFRM Committee, allow the attorney to review all plans, contracts and 
information available pertaining to this endeavor.  Motion passed unanimous.

Discussion of considering filing an injunction and Mark Bonser agreed to see if an
 attorney that specializes in fundraising/charitable organizations can be found in 
the GI area.

Karla Houfek will contact Attorney General John Bruening for support and follow-up.

Discussed the numerous e-mails instigated and motivated by Rick Bourque and it was
 decided that no more responses were to be sent to Rick, responses regarding the 
Memorial/Garden conflict will ONLY be directed to the Chairman of that committee.

Discussed sharing information with the Law Enforcement Committee as there were many 
discussions and agreements with them about building their memorial alongside the NRFM.
  E-Board agrees that mark Bonser shall use his discretion in deciding when and if 
they should be contacted.

The February LODD remembrance newsletter was sent out on the first of the month.

New Business –

	No new business.

Anything for the good of the cause?  Nothing to report.

Motion to adjourn by Brian Policky seconded by Mark Bonser and passed.  Meeting 
adjourned at 20:54.

Roseanne Scurto 
Secretary
Nebraska Serious Injury & Line of Duty Death Response Team.

4/11/10

NEBRASKA SERIOUS INJURY & LINE OF DUTY DEATH RESPONSE TEAM E-BOARD MINUTES
2/7/2010 @20:00

Meeting called to order at 20:02 with the following Board members on the call:  Karla Houfek, 
Mitch Bolte, Nolan Paulson, Mark Bonser and Roseanne Scurto.  Brian Policky joined the call 
at 20:09,

Motion by Bonser to approve the December minutes as presented, 2nd by Bolte and approved.

Motion by Paulson to approve the Treasurers report as present, 2nd and approved.

OLD BUSINESS: 
The e-board went into executive session at 20:05.  Discussion held reference the joint
 effort between our Fire & Rescue Memorial committee and the Fire Museum Garden 
committee and how our committee should proceed. 
Motion by Nolan Paulson to continue to gather information on both ideas and attend 
the meeting of the two committee's to see what input we will be given as to our part 
of the memorial.  Then to return that information to the e-board and the memorial 
committee.  Seconded by Roseanne and passed.  
Returned to normal meeting functions @20:30.

PA System - Motion to remove this subject from the minutes as we found out that a 
couple of people on Wood River Fire have PA Systems and would allow us to us them in 
our time of need.

Bunting - has been removed from the minutes as it is in our possession.

Monthly Conference calls - Questions as to IF we should continue with our monthly 
e-board conference calls or not.  It was decided that we will continue with the 
monthly calls until we resolve the Memorial issue.

Nebraska LODD monthly remembrance newsletter - Karla reported that the newsletter 
has not been mailed.

We have mailed shirts to the following new states - Colorado is in the works.

Trailer and posting of names that donated - The stencil is done and just needs to 
be applied to the trailer.  It was around $100 - $150.

EMS Names for Memorial - Karla has managed to acquire the names of fallen EMS 
providers.

NEW BUSINESS:   
Ty Pennington - Discussion of attempting to get Extreme Home Makeover involved in 
the building of the memorial.  They are looking for volunteer organizations and 
will be in Nebraska sometime this year.  This Board thinks we should pursue this
 opportunity, Karla will follow up.

CAST Team Members - The next conference will be in May (the 9 travel day, 10 & 11 
& 12 return day) in Chicago.   Currently Kyle Ienn is attending and we can send one
 more person.  Karla opened the opportunity to all board members.  Who ever goes 
is expected to pay all of their own expenses up front, keep their receipts and submit 
for reimbursement.  Those that could possible go include Brian Policky, Nolan Paulson
 & Roseanne Scurto.  Advise Karla if you are interested so plans can be made.

ANYTHING FOR THE GOOD OF THE CAUSE?:

Kansas LODD Team is looking to assist other teams in developing their teams.  We also
 stepped up to assist in this effort if called upon.

Team Successes - 
	Ryan Hummert - Missouri
PSOB Paid to: 
	Jan 2008 - Linda Sonderquist 
	Feb 2008 - Teresa Aunkst
	June 2008 - Melissa Wach

Motion to adjourn by Mitch, seconded by Brian, passed.  20:50

Respectfully submitted

Roseanne Scurto 
NSILODD Secretary
February 28, 2010