Bayonne Firefighters Union FMBA Local 11

In 1897, the earliest professional departments in this state organized the New Jersey State Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association. In 1907, when Bayonne became a fully paid fire department, Bayonne's Bravest established Local 11 of the state organization. From the beginning Bayonne members were active both locally and state wide. In 1914, the Bayonne Firefighters Union FMBA Local 11 brilliantly hosted the State FMBA Convention. In 1920, Firefighter Peter Cooney of Local 11 was elected State FMBA President for two terms and declined to serve a third term. Later Humphrey Lynch of Local 11 was elected State FMBA President in 1934 and Arthur Wright of Local 11 received this honor in 1941. Locally in the 1920's Local 11 conducted railroad train excursions to Asbury Park, sometimes attended by 1,200 people and the Firemen's Ball became a social highlight.

For a short time there was a rival group representing some of Bayonne's bravest. IAFF Local 380 was established in 1934. Local 380 hosted a statewide meeting on February 12, 1941 in Saint Joseph's Hall on 24th and Avenue E but after the War, Local 11 prevailed. There were almost a dozen members of Local 380 up into the early 1980's but the membership dwindled due to retirements and there is no longer a Local 380.

In the 1960's and 1970's, Local 11 continued to vigorously represent the firefighters in negotiations with the City of Bayonne. In 1975 in a contractual collision with the Mayor and City Council, the FMBA joined with the PBA and the Municipal Employees Union to form the United Council of Municipal Employees. Off-duty members picketed City Hall, Route 440, the NJ Turnpike and the Bayonne Bridge giving out pamphlets. Then in 1978 under George Kling, Local 11 hired a Jersey City firm to conduct a computer survey of firefighter's attitudes. Seventy questions were answered by words "excellent" to "poor." The survey sought to find out how the fire department could become more effective and to gauge department morale.

An active part in the State FMBA's activities also continued in the 1960's and 1970's. For example, from 1963 to 1965 William Folger served on the State Organization Committee and then on the Public Relations Committee. In 1967, Sol Iskowitz was also a member of the Organization Committee. Later Michael Romano became Chairman of this Organization Committee for several years. In the State FMBA's monthly paper, The Bulletin, Peter Gwiazdowski contributed three impressive articles on personal safety and became the Co-Chairman of the Fire Safety Committee.

Probably the most profound effect on the State FMBA came in 1975 when William Kosakwoski ran unopposed the the State FMBA Convention in Cherry Hill. In 1977, he was again elected without opposition in the State Convention in Atlantic City. Before this he had served since 1970 as the State Delegate from Bayonne. He also served as member of the Executive Committee, Vice President of the Central District, and as Executive Vice President. During his tenure as President which lasted fourteen years the FMBA gained much. Some of the things gained were a Binding Arbitration Bill, the Traumatic Event Law, increased Pension Benefits for 25 years of service, 50% to 65%, and underwriting of the Valor Awards from major sponsors to name a few. Kosakowski stepped down in 1989 when he was promoted to Deputy Chief. Kosakowski ran unopposed during his entire tenure and was named as President Emeritus of the State FMBA.

The 1990's had a number of local presidents who each did their part to make the lives of Bayonne's Bravest a little bit better. Some of the presidents were John Lavarra, George Kling, Joe Lyga, William Bartos, Jeff Myskowski, Steve Peterson, Brian McMonagle, William Urbanski and currently Michael Petrakian. There were also State Delegates who each served on different committees. Damian Andrisano served on many different committees while Kevin M. Fitzhenry was a staff member of The Bulletin and wrote a monthly column called "Tools for the Trade" for over a year and a half.

The history of the Bayonne Firefighters Union FMBA Local 11 is long and full of achievements but it is still not fully written. The new chapters will be written by those who step up and continue to serve their brothers with vigor and passion.