Community Appreciation Day 2010.Lt. James L. Grundy Jr. of the Plainfield Fire Division is not an in-your-face kind of guy, but he’s definitely become an on-your-Facebook one.
Grundy has become a one-man publicity machine for the Plainfield Vulcan Pioneers of Union County, a fraternal group whose mission is “to promote fellowship and professionalism for minorities within the Fire Service” and to enhance the lives of the citizens of Plainfield.
The group is a successor to C.O.F.F.E.E., or Community Oriented Firefighters for Eminent Equality, which was well-known for its Valentine’s Day parties and its charitable outreach at holidays, as well as fostering advancement of minorities through leadership ranks. In 2004, Cecil Allen became the city’s first African-American fire chief with COFFEE members applauding proudly.
Grundy’s Facebook involvement began in January when he took part in a day-long social media seminar at the Middlesex County Fire Academy, conducted by a firefighter from Virginia who served as public information officer to his own fire company. Soon Grundy put up a fan page for the Plainfield Vulcan Pioneers, then developed a group page.
Grundy’s Facebook involvement began in January when he took part in a day-long social media seminar at the Middlesex County Fire Academy, conducted by a firefighter from Virginia who served as public information officer to his own fire company. Soon Grundy put up a fan page for the Plainfield Vulcan Pioneers, then developed a group page.
Currently, Grundy is using Facebook to invite one and all to a fish fry at Club Cosmo on Saturday (Aug. 27) at noon.
The 25-year Fire Division veteran also posts news, happy or sad, of promotions and other happenings in the firefighters’ extended family, including the recent passings of both the mother and sister of one city firefighter. Earlier this month, a Community Appreciation Day barbecue was featured. The fraternal group has 61 members, including two from out-of-town fire departments.
Grundy calls the use of Facebook “just another tool in the tool box” to communicate with the group’s members. But not everybody may have the knack of using that tool.
“You have to have a certain dedication and knowledge on the computer,” he said.
For those so inclined, Facebook “makes it pretty easy,” he said.
Grundy sees Facebook as an advantage even for municipalities. Posting educational material on social media can cut down on questions from the public and can make a participant “more of a citizen,” he said.
“It allows for contact between organizations and the community you serve.”
Grundy said he would like to see the Fire Division have at least a fan page soon. The division has about 90 members and may be unique in having a married couple in its ranks. Selket Gregory and David Damon met while training to be firefighters and were married at City Hall in April 2009.
Grundy also cited Tuesday’s earthquake as an example where social media would be “a nice conduit on emergency response.”
The legal ramifications of social media for municipal use are under study on questions such as how it relates to sunshine laws and requirements to preserve public records, but the New Jersey League of Municipalities was interested enough to hail 2009 as "The Year of the Social Media Explosion."
Besides being Facebook maven for his group, Grundy serves as its corresponding secretary and is also secretary for the Fire Officers Association No. 207. He wanted Plaintalker to include others on the executive boards of the organizations, which for Plainfield Vulcan Pioneers of Union County are Victor Dakers, president; Corey L. Henry Sr., vice president; Charles S. Mills, recording secretary; David H. Damon, treasurer; and Jamal Thorpe, sergeant at arms. For FOA No. 207, executives are Bernard Blake, president; Kenneth Childress, vice president; Ronnie S. Belin, treasurer; Carlton Owens, assistant treasurer; and Gary Edwards, executive delegate.
The 25-year Fire Division veteran also posts news, happy or sad, of promotions and other happenings in the firefighters’ extended family, including the recent passings of both the mother and sister of one city firefighter. Earlier this month, a Community Appreciation Day barbecue was featured. The fraternal group has 61 members, including two from out-of-town fire departments.
Grundy calls the use of Facebook “just another tool in the tool box” to communicate with the group’s members. But not everybody may have the knack of using that tool.
“You have to have a certain dedication and knowledge on the computer,” he said.
For those so inclined, Facebook “makes it pretty easy,” he said.
Grundy sees Facebook as an advantage even for municipalities. Posting educational material on social media can cut down on questions from the public and can make a participant “more of a citizen,” he said.
“It allows for contact between organizations and the community you serve.”
Grundy said he would like to see the Fire Division have at least a fan page soon. The division has about 90 members and may be unique in having a married couple in its ranks. Selket Gregory and David Damon met while training to be firefighters and were married at City Hall in April 2009.
Grundy also cited Tuesday’s earthquake as an example where social media would be “a nice conduit on emergency response.”
The legal ramifications of social media for municipal use are under study on questions such as how it relates to sunshine laws and requirements to preserve public records, but the New Jersey League of Municipalities was interested enough to hail 2009 as "The Year of the Social Media Explosion."
Besides being Facebook maven for his group, Grundy serves as its corresponding secretary and is also secretary for the Fire Officers Association No. 207. He wanted Plaintalker to include others on the executive boards of the organizations, which for Plainfield Vulcan Pioneers of Union County are Victor Dakers, president; Corey L. Henry Sr., vice president; Charles S. Mills, recording secretary; David H. Damon, treasurer; and Jamal Thorpe, sergeant at arms. For FOA No. 207, executives are Bernard Blake, president; Kenneth Childress, vice president; Ronnie S. Belin, treasurer; Carlton Owens, assistant treasurer; and Gary Edwards, executive delegate.
--Bernice
I attended the FOA Community Appreciation Barbecue on 8/13 at Lt. Grundy's invitation, and it was awesome. Plainfield's Bravest served up excellent food--I had the fish, with Battalion Chief Henry Robinson's "secret" barbecue sauce--just perfect! Lt. Grundy and the others named in your story provided a wonderful community service. There's a short music video on the Vulcan Pioneers' FB page of the event--a nice appreciation as well! I look forward to Saturday's fish fry.
ReplyDeleteRebecca
Too bad this part of Plainfield doesn't get on CNN or on the radio.
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