California Professional Firefighters State Council of the International Association of Fire Fighters • California Labor Federation • AFL-CIO Volume 18 No. 2 Second Quarter 2010

Another summer long in 2010? RAinfAll MeAns MoRe fuel to BuRn DuRing PeAk fiRe seAson or California’s first responders, meteorologist with the National Weather “the warm California sun” means Service in Oxnard. “But overall, we still more than beaches, barbecues have a drought going on across Southern Fand surfing: Too often it means weeks California.” logged on strike teams, battling massive blazes in the state’s tinder-dry wildlands. Fuel: Ironically, 2010’s higher rain totals may actually increase the risk. The rain In 2010, milder temperatures and has brought with it a bumper crop of relatively normal rainfall have given rise tall grasses – lush in the spring, but to hopes that the state might be spared dangerous when dry. These dry grasses the worst this summer and autumn. But can quickly ignite hot-burning older state officials, weather experts and fire growth vegetation. “Really, the largest behavior specialists have a sobering promoter of wildfire spread is those response: Don’t bet on it. light, flashy fuels that transition into the larger fuels,” said LA Co. Fire Captain “We’re just now starting to enter into Drew Smith, who serves as the county’s peak fire season, and over the next couple fire behavior analyst. “When you put fire months, we’ll really hit our extreme to (those fuels), it’s very hard to control period,” said Kim Zagaris, Fire and Rescue because of the energy that’s released.” Chief with the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal- EMA). Topography: While rainfall and fuel loads may vary from year to year, California’s These peak months – June through topography remains the same – deserts November – have borne witness to and valleys backed up against the craggy some of the most catastrophic fires Sierra and Coastal mountain ranges. in this or any other state. The 2003 The natural landscape creates a perfect Southern California Firestorm consumed more than 750,000 acres. Since 2005, Continued on page 7 the average loss to wildland fires in California has been nearly 800,000 acres. Weather: Throughout many areas of And, warned Zagaris, “We’re not out of California, rainfall has indeed been at the woods by a long shot.” or above normal. But eight of the past 12 years have experienced low rainfall, Fire Foundation Program Anatomy of a California Wildfire and much of Southern California, along with large areas of northeast The conditions that put California at and central California, remain tinder Helps 7-Year-Old risk in 2010 are the same ones that have dry. “We’ve kind of superficially wetted plagued the state for most of the last the surface with this last rainy year,” Save Family From Fire decade: weather, fuel and topography. said Eric Boldt, warnings coordinating See Page 12

in tHis issue: President’s Perspective ...... 3 Pension Myths and Facts ...... 6

Political Action ...... 8

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irefighters irefighters F Professional California Non-Profit Org. Non-Profit cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS Letters to the President

Convention kudos has returned to duty, James continues I will always remember the many, many ensure that we do everything we can to heal, and we anxiously await his friends among you with love and respect. to meet or exceed our target rate of I attended my first CPF Convention in return to duty. return without taking unacceptable San Diego. Thank you for the amazing I will always consider you as my family. risks. In addition, the board continues amount of work you all do on behalf Our entire department has been to address more general issues of of firefighters and their families. The humbled and awestruck by the Nils Anderson enterprise risk to reduce chance of convention was inspiring and I was outpouring of love and support Health Benefits Trustee-Retired future inappropriate actions by staff, proud to be in the company of such we have received, both from our board and our external managers and fine guest speakers. My experiences community and the fire service consultants. will be shared with our many members community nationwide. If there is ever a CalPeRs Board Re-election and inspire me as a new member of our way we can support you, know that we Sincerely yours, Executive Board. would thankfully do so. My sincere thanks to you and the Executive Board of CPF for endorsing my george Diehr Fraternally, May you, your family and organization candidacy for re-election to the CalPERS Member, CalPERS Board of todd Rueppel be blessed for your kindness. Board of Administration. As you know, Administration Engineer I face an opponent and look forward to Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Sincerely, your support for my re-election. Local 1974 Response to CPf firevision James Miguel I will continue to work for and protect Fire Chief the health and retirement benefits of thank you from Modesto your members and all members and Thank you for Firevision. Very cecil Ridge beneficiaries of CalPERS. These are informative to all of us that need to On behalf of the City of Modesto, the President, MCFFA difficult times, virtually unprecedented know our progress in the fire service. Modesto Fire Department, along with in terms of the challenges we face at the Adams and Clevenger families, CalPERS. Vern Beltran we thank you for your thoughtful nils Anderson gives thanks Salinas Fire Department expression of concern and for notifying We have just completed our rate setting your members of the blood drive and Health Benefits Trustee Nils Anderson process for health care premium for Keep up the good work – love your Firefighter Fund. retired from this post at CPF Convention 2011, a result that included both good show! after 30 years of service and would like to and bad news. While rates increased on The injuries sustained by Engineer thank the membership. average 9.1%, about 3% of that increase Jamie edmonds Jim Adams and Firefighter Jason (J.D.) was due to the buy-down of Blue Shield Secretary Clevenger took a tremendous physical I have been honored and humbled by rates in 2010. Some of the plan changes Coronado Firefighters, Local 1475 and emotional toll on them, and our your outpouring of thanks and gifts. will explore new approaches to rein entire Fire Department family. Your This generosity came as a total surprise. in costs. The governor’s continuing It’s nice to get important updates on concern, offers of help, support and threat to move administration of health the fly. prayers were heartfelt and appreciated I value the service given to you and benefits for state employees to his beyond words. your predecessors as what I was able to Department of Personnel Administration Ann Bruner-Welch do for all the members of CPF. It wasn’t is misguided and wrongheaded. Jim and Jason are very strong men both always easy but that’s the way it is in I will continue to provide leadership mentally and physically. While Jason our profession. in the investment arena, to help

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VoluMe 18 No . 2 2 Seco ND QuARteR 2010 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS President’s Perspective

Lou Paulson

Why it’s Different this time from the floor of the CPF Convention for a temporary dues increase to The FighT oF our Lives If you were around during the 2005 fight Whitman’s attacks and elect the pension and initiative fight, you candidate with a documented history s firefighters, we spend a lot of paint firefighters as “the bad guys.” remember a lot of the same attacks. But of supporting firefighters – former Gov. time responding to disasters. I’m here to tell you that it’s worse this Jerry Brown. AWhether it’s a major wildland To add insult to injury, our “friends” time. fire or a single medical response, at the League of California Cities have In addition to the gubernatorial fight, firefighters are almost always first on qualified an initiative that, if successful, The reason: Meg Whitman. CPF is also playing an active role in scene … first on the front lines. locks in cities’ ability to do as they opposing the League of Cities’ “Trojan please with vast sums of redevelopment The billionaire ex-CEO didn’t vote for Horse” initiative – Proposition 22 – and With so much time spent at flesh-and- dollars. That will mean even less money 28 years, but she’s already spent nearly in passing essential budget reform and blood disasters, the notion that a single for fire services, especially in counties $100 million to become governor. The accountability measures. We’re co- political campaign could produce and special districts. centerpiece of Whitman’s candidacy is chairing a broad coalition of labor and something so cataclysmic may seem a direct attack on you, me and every good-government groups in opposing somewhat trivial. It’s not. There’s a gridlock in Sacramento other public employee in California. devastating pension cuts. And we disaster looming in the lives of every And if that’s not enough to give you the remain active at the Capitol in the fight front line firefighter if Californians and As of this writing, California’s state “willies”, her campaign chair is former to preserve essential firefighter training their elected officials make the wrong budget is mired in a seemingly Gov. Pete Wilson, whose entire political and mutual aid funding. choices in 2010. immovable deadlock. Governor career was built around attacking Schwarzenegger and GOP lawmakers public employees … especially those These efforts can succeed, but only local government on the Attack won’t vote for a budget that doesn’t roll in public safety. if we all play our parts. As front line back retirement security for firefighters firefighters, your role is simple: Get Nobody knows more than firefighters and other public workers. Democrats No matter how she may soft sell her the facts, get involved and, most how bad it’s gotten at the local level. won’t vote for a budget that carves views for you, Meg Whitman is Pete importantly, get to the ballot box. The ripples from our national economic too deeply into school funding and Wilson with a billion dollar bank meltdown are hitting local budgets other vital services (like fire and law account. And that’s bad for firefighters. As we learned in 2005, victory is often with full force. enforcement). a matter of showing up. If we don’t What We’re Doing … And What stand up to the bullies, we could lose In many areas, your local unions are Thanks to “ballot box budgeting,” You can Do more than just a seat at the table. We successfully collaborating with their there’s no such thing as “majority rule” could lose decades of progress that has elected officials on solutions that have in Sacramento. That means pretty much With so much at stake, we simply can’t made California safer, and improved the averted budget cuts. But in other areas, everything needs a two-thirds majority. afford half measures … even in hard lives of firefighters, their families and management is turning its back on Lawmakers and the governor are times. We need to be “all in”. Your working Californians everywhere. employees and the citizens, imposing already talking about “kicking the can” brothers and sisters recognize this – devastating service cuts while trying to to the next governor. that’s why they initiated a resolution And that would be a disaster.

SecoND QuARteR 2010 3 VoluMe 18 No . 2 Enter CPF’scontest 2010 photo Give Us Your Best Shot and Win Cash Prizes!

Every year, California Professional Firefighters takes a moment to celebrate the heroic images that honor the noble profession of firefighting. Share your unique view of the front lines and you could be awarded $1,500! Photos must be submitted by November 22, 2010 to be eligible. PRIZES FIRST PLACE: $1,500 SECOND PLACE: $1,000 THIRD PLACE: $500

For contest rules, submission information PHoto gAlleRY! and more, visit Take a photo of this barcode with your smartphone to view last year’s CPF www.CPFPhotoContest.org Photo Contest winners. cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS Secretary-Treasurer’s Desk

FIREFIGHTERS DESERVE medal of valor y nature, firefighters do not seek deserving public safety personnel each Brecognition for what they do. year. His desire is to properly recognize those who have gone above the call of We tend to attribute acts of courage as duty and placed their lives in danger merely “part of the job.” For most of us, for the sake of others. This year, I had we don’t even analyze our performance the chance to be part of the committee on a rescue or other harrowing incident. that reviewed the applicants. The Lew Stone It is usually only after someone outside committee received recommendations of the fire service hears of the call that a with documentation on 61 nominees, heroic label is attached. based on 26 separate incidents. Sadly, while I was reviewing the 2009 completes the application. Supporting Once stamped with “valor,” most shy And guess how many were firefighters? applications, I thought of several documentation (i.e. newspaper articles, from the attention, divert it to the Zero! Yes, every nominee was from law incidents across our state involving photos) is very important. entire crew, or attempt to downplay the enforcement. I have theories. firefighters that should have been event. If confronted by a film crew, we considered. Unfortunately, the window The committee reviews the applications retreat behind the statement, “I just did I bring this to your attention for a of opportunity has passed to have any every May. Next year, I hope that in what every other firefighter would have very specific reason - to make each of of their acts of heroism considered. spite of our desire to seek anonymity, done in the same circumstances.” you aware of the Governor’s Public we properly bring forward deserving Safety Officer Medal of Valor so you If you feel someone should be individuals. We do not want to dilute the So why do I bring this up? will place it in the back of your mind in nominated, you must follow the respect and honor of the award, so it is the event that you become aware of a process as outlined on the Attorney imperative that only the most glowing Well, the governor presents a Public firefighter or several who are potentially General’s website, www.ag.ca.gov. It is examples of courage are recognized. Safety Officer Medal of Valor to deserving. imperative that your fire chief carefully

Executive Board Lou Paulson, President Lindsey Freitas, Legislative Assistant Lew Stone, Secretary-Treasurer Apryl Swanberg, PER Coordinator C ALi F orniA Tim Strack, 1st District Vice President Kathy Shipley, Full-Charge Bookkeeper Chris Mahon, 2nd District Vice President Rosalia Lopez, Administrative Assistant ProF essionAL Bobby Weist, 3rd District Vice President Stacy Smith, Receptionist i o n Randy Sekany, 4th District Vice President Michael Massone, 5th District Vice President CPF Callback Association FireF ighT ers Bob Wolf, 6th District Vice President Cynthia Clark, Projects Coordinator

A T Dave Gillotte, 7th District Vice President Published Quarterly Pat McOsker, 8th District Vice President Firefighters Print & Design Mariena DeAnda, Director Publication office r Trustees Natalie Quinn, Administrative Assistant T california Professional firefighters Tom Gardner Cynthia Clark, Promotional Products Representative 1780 creekside oaks • suite 200 Erik Baskin Seanne Villanueva, Graphic Design Manager sacramento • ca • 95833 Jim Ahl Robbie Panco, Graphic Designer (916) 921-9111 Victor Jimenez, Press Operator Staff Jud Whitnell, Delivery/Shipping Clerk Email: www.cpf.org [email protected] Teresa Ortiz, Managing Director California Fire Foundation Christy Bouma, Governmental Advocate Amy Howard, Legislative Director Vanessa Errecarte, Director editor: tricia tomiyoshi Kelly Calkin, Political Director California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee graPhic design manager: seanne VillanueVa Carroll Wills, Communications Director Tricia Tomiyoshi, Publications Editor Yvonne de la Peña, Program Director

A d m i n i s i n A d m i Pharris Treskunoff, Administrative Asst. to the President FireStar Productions Kevin White, EMS and Health & Safety Director Susan Shepard, Finance Director Kelley Trujillo, Vice President

Official publication of the California Professional Firefighters, organized October 12, 1938. Incorporated as not-for-profit May 27, 1958. Member of the International Association of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO. All unsolicited articles, manuscripts, letters and photographs sent to California Professional Firefighters are sent at the owner's risk, and California Professional Firefighters expressly disclaims any liability or responsibility for their safe custody or return. Signed articles express the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the editors of California Professional Firefighters. Send all correspondence and photographs to California Professional Firefighters, Publication office, 1780 Creekside Oaks, Suite 200, Sacramento 95833. We reserve the right to edit submitted materials. © 2009 California Professional Firefighters.

SecoND QuARteR 2010 5 VoluMe 18 No . 2 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS

Myths and Facts fACt: No impact on budgets for as long as 20 years. Pension cuts won’t save a dollar in the current budget, and there is no guarantee that any future savings about RetiReMent secuRity would help schools. Eliminating or cutting back public employee retirement will depress economic growth, and put more people at risk of being without secure pension or health care. Those attacking the retirement security of public servants MYtH: “Taxpayers shouldn’t have to bear the entire make a lot of sensational claims about the state of our burden of paying generous benefits.” MYtH: “Money paid into employee pension system public retirement system. Many simply don’t stand up. benefits only the employees, not taxpayers.” fACt: The burden is already shared. Roughly MYtH: “Public employee benefits are bankrupting two-thirds of the funding for CalPERS comes from fACt: California’s economy benefits from pension state and local government.” investment income. Less than a quarter from taxpayers. fund investment. Approximately $35 billion is pumped And employees pay their fair share – in the case of into the state’s economy by pension investment -- $7 fACt: The economic meltdown and Wall Street public safety, up to 9% of their salary. of economic payback for every $1 of investment. And greed is the primary cause of the fiscal woes. Most every dollar spent by a retiree produces $2 worth of of the increased employer costs to CalPERS are MYtH: “The private sector is abandoning traditional economic activity. Taxpayers also benefit from high- attributable to the same corporate greed that hit pension plans as being too expensive, and the public quality workers who choose public service because of everyone’s retirement. Employee benefits make up a sector should do the same.” the retirement security. small piece of the problem. fACt: Abandoning pension fattens corporate the bottom line: MYtH: “Cutting benefits will help us fix our budget bottom lines, not workers’ retirement. Privatizing mess.” retirement has left millions without any retirement California’s firefighters and public employees are stepping security, while corporate salaries have skyrocketed. up to the plate in these hard times. But they should not fACt: Reducing pensions won’t do anything to it’s time every employee had the right to a secure be forced to trade away their hard-earned retirement close the budget gap. It is settled law that only new pension … public and private sector . security. Everyone deserves a secure retirement. employees can have their pensions cut. Any imagined savings would take decades to appear. Moreover, if we MYtH: “Retirement curbs will mean more money for To keep track of retirement issues, go to www.cpf.org and got rid of all pensions, california would still be $16 schools, roads and health care.” check the “Find it Here” section. billion in the hole .

MYtH: “Public employee pensions are too generous.” fACt: California is only slightly above the national average. The average retirement check in California is about $25,000 a year. Unlike the private sector, many public employees do not pay into Social Security, and do not receive Social Security benefits.

MYtH: “What about all those six-figure retirement payouts?” fACt: The vast majority of large pension payouts go to management. Less than 1% of CalPERS pensions exceed six figures, almost all of them going to senior executives and management. Indeed, the highest retirement benefit currently paid goes to a discredited Vernon city manager.

MYtH: “Public employee union contracts are to blame for out-of-control pension costs.” fACt: Management is getting the big retirement dollars, not union members. The vast majority of massive retirement payouts go to people who are not. Also, firefighters have foregone literally billions in raises in order to secure their retirement.

MYtH: “During tough economic times, unions should give in on pensions.” fACt: Employees are doing their part, and are ready to do more. Throughout California, firefighters and other unions are negotiating concessions at the bargaining table … pay freezes, furloughs, sometimes even pay cuts. Employees are stepping up to the plate … it’s the politicians that are playing games.

VoluMe 18 No . 2 6 Seco ND QuARteR 2010 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS Attention Retirees: Why the Pension Fight Matters to You

etired firefighters occupy a benefits only the investment bankers The unbreakable bond that unites  Retirees’ Firefighter children: unique and valued role in and brokerage houses. every man and woman who puts on the Many firefighter retirees have Rthe profession. They have uniform of a firefighter is one of the great children and grandchildren experienced all of the highs and “Our values are being tested as never strengths of the profession. Firefighters who become firefighters. The lows – the demands, the thrill and the before,” said california Professional are truly “one for all and all for one.” Whitman/Schwarzenegger uncertainty when the bell rings. Firefighters President lou Paulson. But beyond the values at the heart of plans will eventually create two-tier firefighter families. “Every one of us has a stake in making the profession, there are some practical Retirees also know the incredible toll sure the next generation of first reasons why this fight matters to retirees: “As retirees, you know what a secure the job takes … in injuries, shortened responders enjoys the same right to a  Weaker Retirement Funds: retirement means to firefighters who’ve lives and shortened careers. That’s secure retirement for a job well done.” spent their lives protecting the public,” why the current fight over retirement Under the Whitman plan, fewer and fewer employees will be said Paulson. “We need every voice to security matters so much to all But billionaire gubernatorial candidate paying into the system. That stand up and defend benefits that all of firefighters, including retirees. Meg Whitman is already preparing will jeopardize the long-term us have earned for the jobs we do.” to rollback firefighters’ hard-earned health of CalPERS and local Using the economic crisis as an excuse, pension. As a corporate CEO, Whitman retirement funds; Paulson urged retirees to engage in the anti-employee groups have renewed slashed jobs and retirement benefits for  Retiree health at Risk: fight to protect pensions, as well as the their assault on pensions and retiree thousands upon thousands of workers. Unlike pensions, retiree health contest for governor. That means writing health care. The most extreme of these Now, Whitman has proposed rolling back coverage is not a vested right. letters, talking to friends and other proposals would wipe out firefighter firefighter retirement and eliminating Not only could premiums be retirees and getting involved. Above all, retirement security altogether for new secure pensions for new public employees boosted, but retirees could says Paulson, it’s important to vote and hires, replacing a secure pension with and replacing it with privatized, high-risk have their health coverage consider candidates at all levels willing a high-risk, privatized system that investment accounts. eliminated altogether; to stand up for all firefighters.

Continued from page 1 heat container when the strong Santa A DAngerous stAte Major Wildfires in california — 2005-2009 Ana winds come blowing in during the summer and fall. “You’re pushing air down the mountain slope and that’s incidents Acres Structures Firefighter civilian an energy that’s heating up that air,” Year said Boldt. “Temperatures climb into (300+ acres) Burned lost Deaths Deaths the 90s maybe 100 degrees … and humidity can drop rapidly down into 2005 73 222,538 105 0 1 single digits.” 2006 107 736,022 408 7 2 Protecting lives and Property 2007 84 1,054,655 3,707 1 1 California’s high-risk topography has seen one dramatic change over the 2008 160 1,054,655 2,219 13 0 last two decades: There are a lot more houses on it. 2009 68 422,147 496 3 0 The expansion of the wildland-urban 5 - Year interface has become the major 98 792,087 1,387 5 1 challenge facing the California fire Average service. Since 2005, the nearly 500 major fires have destroyed nearly 7,000 structures. Only four civilians have “Our system is being tested,” said Zagaris. died, but two-dozen firefighters have “Agencies are laying off people, not lost their lives, many while engaged in backfilling retirement or flat out closing structure protection. stations. It’s becoming very hard.”

“Homes are not always spread apart … a lot of times, they’re very tight,” staying safe said Smith. “That’s when you get a great amount of structure loss because With so many different forces arrayed of improper outside storage or against them, it’s essential that firefighters inadequate brush clearance.” rely on their training and keep their wits about them. Situational awareness, and a With new homes still going up even realistic assessment of the risks associated during the economic downturn, with a structure attack, are the keys to firefighting in the WUI places special returning home safe. pressure on California’s exceptional – and exceptionally stressed – mutual “Put fire behavior first and make time aid system. Thanks to a poor economy a significant factor in your safety,” says and devastating local cuts, firefighters Smith. “Where is the fire at, what’s it answering the call this summer will doing, and how long before it jeopardizes likely be forced to do more with less. you and your crew.” It’s already started: LA County firefighters work a fast-moving blaze near Lancaster just this past July. (Photo: Jeff Zimmerman)

SecoND QuARteR 2010 7 VoluMe 18 No . 2 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS Political Action Meg Whitman: In Her Own Words illionaire CEO Meg Whitman has 401(k) plans that most taxpayers have.” unions. We had union members when I been pretty clear. If she’s elected -- National Review, April, 2010 worked at Hasbro (toy company).” -- San Bgovernor of California, she will Francisco Chronicle, March 11, 2010 take dead aim at those who serve our on your job security: “… you can lay off state: its firefighters, teachers, nurses 10 percent of the bureaucracy, and actually on your membership in a union and ordinary citizens. -- maybe it’s easier, actually, with fewer … any union: “About 12 percent of people, and it will not be a hardship on California workers are in unions, but the state. And, so, that would say that you Here is what she has to say about the they have almost all of the power. It’s want to lay off between 30,000 and 40,000 bread and butter issues that affect your remarkable. So we’re going to have to people.” -- CNN interview, May 18, 2009 life on the job. take on the public service unions on on curbing your political free speech a number of fronts.” -- “Ask Meg” TV on your retirement security: “We must rights: “The other thing that I am very Infomercial, April, 2010 require state employees to contribute a interested in is the reform that used to be larger portion of their salary to help pay called ‘paycheck protection’ and now is on her failure to vote for 28 years: for their retirement benefits. We must called the “citizen’s power initiative.” -- “I was focused on raising a family, on my extend the vesting period, and we must “Ask Meg” TV Infomercial, April, 2010 husband’s career, and we moved many, bring new government workers in under a many times. … my voting record, my different deal where they receive a defined- on her experience bargaining in good registration record is unacceptable.” contribution retirement plan similar to the faith: “I have not directly negotiated with -- Los Angeles Times, October 9, 2009 Together Again in 2010 Firefighters, Teachers, Nurses Re-Form Winning Coalition to Back Brown

hen Gov. Arnold President Paulson is co-chair of Schwarzenegger went after California Working Families, a coalition Wyour political rights, funding that is pushing back against the anti- stability and retirement security in labor, anti-employee message of 2005, working families came together self-financed billionaire candidate in an unprecedented, unified coalition. Meg Whitman. CPF is also launching an ambitious member-to-member Over time, the coalition came to campaign, aimed at educating front line be identified with three marquee firefighters about what’s at stake in this elements: firefighters, nurses and year’s campaign. teachers. As they were in 2005, CPF’s partners in Five years later, labor once again finds these efforts have been the California itself in the “fight of our lives.” And once Nurses Association (CNA) and California again, firefighters, nurses and teachers are Teachers Association (CTA). CPF stepping forward to help elect candidates members joined more than 1,000 nurses that put the concerns of working people who rallied recently outside Whitman’s first, including Jerry Brown, CPF’s Atherton mansion (see photo). And CPF, endorsed candidate for governor. CNA and CTA are all part of a broader labor campaign – spearheaded by the “Our rallying cry in 2005 was ‘no retreat California Labor Federation – to explain … no surrender,’” said cPF President why the election matters so much to lou Paulson . “This year, we’re standing working families. together again with the same mission – protect jobs for working families, and “The choice is clear, but the challenge secure the basic rights and security is even clearer,” said Paulson. we’ve worked our careers to maintain. “Whitman has a bottomless checkbook and is willing to spend it to attack us, CPF members from Hayward, Modesto and Santa Clara County rallied As the largest statewide firefighter our jobs and our retirement. As Ben with 1,100 union nurses from the California Nurses Association in front of organization, california Professional Franklin said, ‘If we don’t all hang Meg Whitman’s home to protest Whitman’s attacks on unions. Firefightershas been at the forefront together, we shall all surely hang of the campaign. separately.’”

VoluMe 18 No . 2 8 Seco ND QuARteR 2010 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS Register for Permanent How do I register Vote-By-Mail Status for permanent vote-by-mail status? Don’t Miss Your Chance to Vote this November If you are a registered California voter, fill out the California n 2002, California Professional Firefighters successfully led the charge to ensure permanent vote-by-mail status, also Vote-By-Mail Ballot Application. known as permanent absentee status, which was available to firefighters and those professionally required to work Download a copy by visiting 24 or more consecutive hours per shift. I www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ or Now, all Californians can register for permanent vote-by-mail status. pick up an application at your county elections office. A list Don’t miss your chance to vote this November! Register for permanent vote-by-mail status today! of county elections offices can be viewed at www.sos.ca.gov/ elections/.

If you have not already registered to vote, fill out a Voter Whitman: too Busy to Vote Registration Form at www.sos. ca.gov/elections/ or pick one up Billionaire candidate skips nearly three decades of voting at your county elections office, library or U.S. Post Office. Your hen firefighters are on strike completed Voter Registration teams in the hot winds of Form must be submitted to your WNovember, most have already county elections office at least 15 taken care of an important bit of days before the election. Once business by casting an absentee ballot. you are registered to vote, then Many more participate via special ballot you can fill out the California boxes at incident base camps. Vote-By-Mail Ballot Application as noted above. Apparently, that simple act of participation was too tough for one As a permanent vote-by-mail of the two candidates seeking to be California’s next governor. voter, you will automatically receive a vote-by-mail ballot for According to investigative reports each election. in The Sacramento Bee and other publications, billionaire ex-CEO Meg When do I turn in my Whitman failed to vote for the first 28 years of her eligibility. Whitman – who application? spent nearly $90 million of her own money to win the GOP primary – has Your Vote-By-Mail ballot only been registered as a Republican application must be returned to since 2008. your county elections official at least 7 days before the election. “Jerry Brown has won more elections than Meg Whitman has actually voted in since she’s been in California,” said When do I turn in my political strategist Chris Lehane. vote-by-mail ballot? Since formally announcing her candidacy, Whitman has refused to Vote-by-mail ballots must be speak about her voting record except received by the elections official to concede that it is “unacceptable”. no later than the close of polls at However, before her formal declaration, 8:00 PM on Election Day. Whitman told reporters that she was busy with other things.

“I was focused on raising a family, on my husband’s career, and we moved many, many times,” Whitman told “I’ve been out on strike teams and the behest of local and state firefighters reporters in October of 2009. working structure fires on Election that CPF helped secure passage Day, and I still vote,” said Modesto of landmark legislation enabling Firefighters and others who have firefighter Cecil Ridge. “It’s outrageous Californians to register as permanent Vote BY MAil! done their civic duty found Whitman’s that someone thinks they should be absentee voters. Take a photo of the barcode explanation wanting. “I raised a governor when they haven’t even with your smartphone to family and ran a business and I bothered to vote.” get more information about managed to vote,” said Rancho Mirage To read more about how the candidates registering for permanent vote-by-mail status. businesswoman Elaine Henderson, Firefighters’ participation in elections compare on firefighter issues, check the speaking to Time magazine. has always been high. Indeed, it was at Firefighters Election Guide atwww.cpf.org .

SecoND QuARteR 2010 9 VoluMe 18 No . 2 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS

A record number of delegates attend 2010 CPF Convention Lou Paulson calls the convention to order. his year’s CPF Convention occurred tat a crossroads for our profession. CPF affiliates up and down the state faced continued economic hardships and attacks on their job and retirement security as a record number of delegates gathered in San Diego to chart CPF’s course for the next two years.

But despite the looming threats, delegates stayed “Firefighter Proud … Union Strong” and rolled up their sleeves to get the job done.

CPF’s three-day convention included speeches from state and national leaders, the unveiling of the california The new CPF Executive Board are sworn in. Firefighterse ndowment (see page 13) Jerry Brown thanks firefighters for and the election of a new cPF executive supporting his run for governor. Board for the coming two years. PHoto gAlleRY! arena,” said iAFF general President Take a photo of this icon to see our photo Over two dozen resolutions were also harold Schaitberger. “Every single gallery of pictures taken at the CPF Convention. approved by delegates to map CPF’s thing that happens to our members agenda for the next two years. and our families, personally and professionally, is dictated by someone “I’m proud of the work that was carried that was elected.” out at this year’s convention,” said cPF firefighters Ready to stand and ightf President lou Paulson. “We have an Gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown uphill battle ahead but, as usual, our also took the stage to spell out the membership has banned together and differences between his history of PF members are making it clear A billionaire CEO who didn’t vote for forged a plan of attack.” support for first responders and the Cthey are ready to stand up to 28 years, Whitman has already spent attacks aimed at public workers by the attacks leveled at firefighters, more than $100 million running for During the convention, the importance billionaire candidate Meg Whitman. their families and other hard- governor, campaigning on an attack of political action, particularly in these working Californians. aimed at firefighters and other difficult economic times, was a common “Don’t underestimate the importance of public workers. If elected, she has thread. the November election,” said Paulson. “It In a move initiated by local threatened to support “paycheck will make or break the future of working affiliates from the convention protection,” to raise the retirement “We need to continue to do families across our state. Everyone has a floor, CPF delegates to the CPF age from 50 to 57 for firefighters, extraordinary work in the political stake in this upcoming election.” Convention came together to to strip public employees of their voice their opposition to the collective bargaining rights and Whitman campaign and support reduce the state workforce by for a pro-firefighter choice. By an 40,000 employees. overwhelming margin, delegates approved a temporary dues increase The temporary hike, which lasts completely dedicated to defeating Whitman this November. The only until the end of the year, resolution to temporarily increase will finance a wide-ranging dues came directly from delegates campaign, including member- on the convention floor, in response to-member communications and to the unprecedented nature of the unprecedented grassroots outreach. fight ahead and the stakes involved. CPF will partner with other labor organizations to spread the message “The future of the fire service is in far and wide. our hands. We can’t sit idly by. Every retiree, every active firefighter and “We can’t outspend Whitman … no every future firefighter will suffer one can,” said Paulson. “But we can if we don’t do all we can,” said cPF defeat her with ‘people power’ … if President lou Paulson. we all stand together.” Carlsbad Firefighters Local 3730 President Rick Fisher was presented with the Dallas Jones Political Achievement Award at the CPF Convention.

VoluMe 18 No . 2 10 Seco ND QuARteR 2010 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS Making a Difference Make a Muscle: Flex For MDa irefighters have been making a What is taught in medical school firefighters for your efforts in your Fill MDA would like to thank all California Fmuscle and making a difference about muscle is due in large part to the Boot events and to those who have Professional Firefighter locals for for children and adults fighting the public’s support of MDA. With that volunteered their time at MDA Summer raising over $930,000 to date! We are neuromuscular disease for over 55 years. in mind, we want everyone to think of Camps throughout the state. Firefighter confident that 2010 will be another MDA as the Muscle charity. Day is every kid’s favorite day at camp! record breaking year! At the time the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) was formed, it wasn’t Congratulations to CAL FIRE for raising known which diseases started in the Through the Fill the Boot campaign $260,000 so far this year! With several nerves and which started in the muscles. and various other events, California thank you for Since then, MDA-funded research has Professional Firefighters are part of our more Fill the Boot dates remaining, they putting your muscle “written the book” on muscle disease muscle team and are making a muscle are sure to meet their goal of $500,000! and on nerve diseases affecting muscle. for those that can’t. Thank you to all the Great job Local #2881! behind MDA!

Garden Grove Firefighters, left, and Kings County Firefighters, flex their muscle for MDA. Attention Active and retired Firefighters!

ATTENTION ACTIVE and RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS! Proud of your profession?Proud of yourThen Profession? show Then it! show it! call (800) 890-3213 JAN A portion of the plate’s renewal fee ($20) will benefit the California Fire 2010 Foundation, which built and maintains the California Firefighters Memorial and hosts an array of victim assistance and public education programs. This is a tax deductible donation. Tax ID: 680118991

Firefighter License Plate Cost: $35 for Non-Personalized or $83 for Personalized R E D H O T how to order: Call (800) 890-3213 F I R E F I G H T E R Provide name/address/phone number Existing vehicle license plate number and expiration date Call (800) 890-3213 Fire Department ID information oRDeR YouRs toDAY! A portion of the plate's Take renewal a photo fee ($20) of this will barcode benefit withthe California Fire Foundation, which built and Visa/MasterCard number maintains the California Firefighters Memorial and hosts an array of victim assistance and public education programs. This is a tax deductibleyour smartphone donation. to download a Or visit www.cafirefoundation.org to download an application. Tax ID: 680118991 license plate application.

Firefighter License Plate Cost: $35 Non-Personalized or $83 for Personalized

How to Order… Call (800) 890-3213 and order yourn Call (800)firefighter 890-3213 license plates today! n Provide name/address/phone number n Existing vehicle license plate number and expiration date SecoND QuARteR 2010 n 11Fire Department ID information VoluMe 18 No . 2 n Visa/ MasterCard number

Or, you may complete the application on the reverse side and include: cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS California Fire Foundation Fresno’s Littlest Hero Fire Foundation Program Helps 7-Year-Old Save Family From Fire

hen a fire broke out in 7-year-old children out of the house and then exit “Our firefighters run into situations Fresno City Council presented Adriana WAdriana Ignacio’s Fresno home in to safety herself. Even the family dog everyday where families weren’t with a resolution making her an June, she knew she had to act fast. was saved. prepared and didn’t know what to do. honorary firefighter for the day for her It’s especially important to reach out heroic acts. California Fire Foundation Her front door was locked by a double Since October of 2010, Fresno to those that speak another language,” Director Vanessa Errecarte then deadbolt lock and the key was nowhere Firefighters have partnered with the said lou Paulson, Chair of the California presented her with a Partner in Safety to be found. Inside the house, the lives of california Fire Foundation to bring Fire Foundation. award for the Foundation’s Firefighters her two younger sisters and grandmother the Foundation’s Firefighters On Your On Your Side program. depended on a safe escape. Side program to their community. This especially rings true in Fresno, Developed by the Foundation in 2008, where over half of the population is of Fresno Firefighters then put a perfect Adriana immediately thought of the Firefighters On Your Side is an award- Latino descent, many of which Spanish end to the morning by presenting school visit the Fresno Firefighters winning public safety program aimed at is their primary language. Adriana a Tinkerbell backpack full of school supplies to replace the one she “As a union and as a department, I really lost in the fire. The morning came to a felt we could do more for our Spanish close with a fire station tour and lunch speaking population,” said Jerry Smith, with members of Local 753. President of Fresno Firefighters. To learn more about the And they certainly did. Firefighters On Your Side The Firefighters On Your Side program program, please visit in Fresno was a joint effort between www.firefightersonyourside.org. the Fresno Fire Department and Fresno If you would like to bring these Firefighters Local 753. The union life-saving programs to your local, funded the costs of the materials, while please contact Vanessa errecarte the department allowed paid time for at (916) 921-9111 or firefighters to go on as many school visits verrecarte@cpf .org. as possible. tony escobedo, a bilingual battalion chief, led the school visits.

“It is so gratifying to see the immediate results of these programs. These safety fRee ViDeo! programs saved four lives. It doesn’t get Snap a photo of this barcode with your smartphone to any better than that,” said Escobedo. watch the CPF Firevision about Adriana Ignacio’s act Adriana has since been in the spotlight of heroism. for her rescue efforts. On July 23, the

Adriana Ignacio and her sisters had the chance to tour a Fresno fire station with Fresno firefighter Mike McIntyre. local 753 had made just weeks before, educating diverse communities about a teaching her and her fellow students variety of public safety issues. about how to make a fire escape plan. This lesson was in English and Spanish Fresno Firefighters implemented the (her native language) and focused on “Have an Escape Plan/ Tenga Un Plan De having two ways out of every room. Escape” campaign, which is designed in English and Spanish to reach members Moments after the fire broke out, of the Latino community that do not Adriana led her grandmother and two always receive the vital public safety sisters to the living room window, where information that other parts of the Adriana Ignacio was honored by Fresno Firefighters President Jerry Smith, left, Battalion her grandmother was able to assist the population do. Chief Chuck Tobias, members of Local 753 and Fresno Fire Chief Randy Bergman, right.

VoluMe 18 No . 2 12 Seco ND QuARteR 2010 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS

Introducing the California Firefighters endowment he california Fire Foundation is embarking on its latest venture to help Tfirefighters and their families: the california Firefighters endowment. Save Its mission: To increase the scholarship awards for the children of California’s fallen firefighters. the Since 2006, the California Fire Foundation has helped send 17 students to college through its Daniel A . erryt Scholarship program. Scholarships of $2,000 are currently awarded each year to qualified applicants. But with the rising costs of college tuition, students need more financial assistance to Date cover the costs. The endowment will increase the scholarship awards and insure a permanent and reliable funding stream for future generations.

Heather Yonan, daughter of Burbank firefighter/paramedic Philip Yonan who died in the line of duty, was a 2009 recipient of the Daniel A. Terry Scholarship.

With a goal of raising every scholarship given to $10,000 within five years, the Foundation must raise over $2 million.

“Scholarships change lives,” said california Fire Foundation Director Vanessa errecarte. “They open doors and create opportunities that may have been limited due to the loss of a parent. The California Firefighters Endowment will help children from firefighter families pursue their dreams.”

To make this program a success, we need your help. Please stay tuned through our Web site (www.cafirefoundation.org) and correspondence from the Foundation for opportunities to help.

“A big part of this program will be referrals to community members and corporate donors that CPF members send our way,” said Errecarte.

Special events and a press campaign will run in conjunction with this year’s California Firefighters Memorial to introduce this new endowment to the public.

“It’s an assurance to every California firefighter that if the need arises, your children will get the support they need for a good education,” said california California Firefighters Memorial Fire Foundation chair lou Paulson. Annual Ceremony • October 16, 2010 fRee ViDeo! Take a photo of this icon to see our CPF Firevision video story about the California Firefighters Endowment. www.memorial.cpf.org

SecoND QuARteR 2010 13 VoluMe 18 No . 2 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS

Harold Schaitberger will throw out the Residents from the district as well tim strack ceremonial first pitch. as firefighters protested outside the meeting. Firefighters spoke with the CPF 1st District Vice President “We have an amazing week planned,” growing media outlets, which included said Beckwith. “We have built so many all of the local TV stations, in the solid relationships with nonprofit parking lot. CPF District 1 represents the groups, city businesses and other counties of San Bernardino, organizations in town that these groups Inside, the three firefighters, whose Riverside, San Diego, Imperial have really helped us roll out the jobs were on the line, shared moving and Orange. welcome mat for all of the firefighters testimony to a packed house of coming to convention. We couldn’t concerned residents, firefighters and have done it without them.” media.

Visit www.iaffconvention2010.com for “I do not believe in my heart that more information. everything possible has been done,” said firefighterDoug de Brauwere, local 1434 Mobilizes wearing a red T-shirt that said “LAID OFF.” “If I did, I could go home to to save Members’ Jobs my wife and kids and tell them with courage and with honor.” San Miguel Fire Fighters local 1434 hadn’t begun negotiations with the San Members of the public argued for a cut Miguel Consolidated Fire Protection in the fire department’s public outreach District’s Board when the letter arrived. funds and public education program t’s with a humble heart that I joined San Diego city Firefighters local 145 In the letter, the Board’s Finance instead of emergency response. Others Ithe hardworking cPF executive will be the host local and they have a Committee proposed laying off three argued for a cut in the Board’s hefty Board in June. I’m tremendously string of events planned to showcase firefighters and demoting one division compensation package, which has not grateful for the opportunity to serve their city. chief to help reduce the city’s $1.6 been touched despite the district’s CPF’s members and want to thank all of million deficit. economic downturn. All agreed that you for allowing me to represent you. I “We hope that people walk away from scaling back emergency response was will not let you down. their visit talking about more than just “It came out of the blue. We were not the answer to the district’s financial the nice weather,” said cory Beckwith, blindsided,” said local 1434 President straits. For those that I haven’t had the chance Vice President of local 145. “We hope Alan laatsch, who immediately began to meet, I am a full-time active captain that people see that we’re a local that mobilizing his membership, drawing on Following the testimonies, the Board at the downtown Riverside Fire Station works hard and takes great pride in our their PAC and organizing a campaign to met in private and voted unanimously (Station 1) and have been president organization and the community that save their jobs. not to make the proposed job cuts. of Riverside city Firefighters we serve.” Association local 1067 since 2001. With help from a politically active friend “It was such a relief and we attribute As local president, I have successfully As of the time of this publication, the of Local 1434, they staged a plan of a good part of our success to our fought to protect our members from events schedule is as follows: attack and alerted the media to the strong PAC,” said Laatsch. “We’re back economic attacks at the local, state May Board meeting, when this proposal in negotiations now to come up with and federal levels and have worked Aug . 21: Fire Ops 101 will be held for would be voted upon. Since it was the alternative solutions, but after that May with both political parties to support selected elected officials from 8 AM first real threat of layoffs in the county, meeting, layoffs are off the table, for firefighter issues across the state. to 2 PM at the Regional Public Safety the media couldn’t resist. now.” Training Institute, 4347 North Harbor My first priority for the st1 District will Drive, San Diego. A motorcycle ride be to enhance political action through through San Diego County is also relationship building with local and state scheduled from 12-4 PM beginning elected leaders. I will work in the district at the Pioneer Hook and Ladder to bring locals together, large and small, Firehouse Museum and ending at the to be engaged in the activities of CPF Firehouse Brewing Company. Come and the Executive Board. join iAFF general President harold Schaitberger who plans to ride. I will also help locals to further develop their relationships with Sacramento Aug . 22: Golf Tournament is planned at representatives by providing the Maderas, followed by a Block Party on th needed resources and guidance. 5 Avenue between J and K Streets in Working together will be critical to San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. protect our locals from attacks by the state on our staffing, benefits and Aug . 23: San Diego Fire Rescue working conditions. Foundation will be hosting a charity event at the Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery in Gaslamp District sports bar. More iAff Convention details to follow. Comes to san Diego Aug . 24: MDA is planning an event to San Diego is becoming quite the thank firefighters nationwide for being destination for firefighters this year. the biggest contributor to their cause. More details to follow. In April, it was the site for CPF’s 42nd Biennial Convention. This month, Aug . 25: Don’t miss the San Diego firefighters will be gathering in San Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks game Diego once more to attend the iAFF’s at Petco Park. Ticket sales will benefit Sean Hull, Doug de Brauwere and Darrin Young were the three San Miguel firefighters 50th Convention. the Burn Institute. IAFF President whose jobs were spared.

VoluMe 18 No . 2 14 Seco ND QuARteR 2010 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS

Chris Mahon locals Battle as Cities When Santa Paula City was considering closing up to two stations, local CPF 2nd District Vice President Budget for 2010-2011 1364 embarked upon an education campaign targeting the city Locals continue to battle to preserve administration and city council. District 2 represents CPF Local Unions fire services, as more cities are reducing in the counties of Kern, San Luis staffing and closing stations to balance The local provided history on the Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and their budgets. growth of the Santa Paula Fire Los Angeles - with the exception Department and detailed how the of United Firefighters of Los Angeles In West Covina, the City Council passed firefighters had made cuts so that City Local 112 and Los Angeles a budget that will cut an additional the city could open a second station, County Fire Fighters Local 1014. $2.1 million from the fire department, resulting in the closure of an engine on which was originally identified as a July 1st. With a planned closure of one need by fire management and city of three Paramedic Rescue Ambulances council members after the only engine in January 2011, 18 total positions will company received increased call have been cut over the last two years. volumes.

“We are at or near the bottom of The local also highlighted the fire staffing, per capita and area served, department’s lack of budget for even for any department in LA County,” basic needs and explained how the said Mike Fountain, President of the department and firefighters still cut West covina Firefighters Association everything possible the previous stored Ammunition May Pose greater Risks to ffs local 3226. “Essentially, any significant budget year. emergency in our town will deplete hen a stored bullet fires due to Torres’ accident raises an important our resources, leaving nothing else As a result of the local’s targeted Wthe heat of a fire, the bullet and safety issue for all firefighters: How does available to respond.” campaign, the city agreed to continue casing only travel a short distance with ammunition behave when stored in to fund both stations. very little energy or velocity. different ways and exposed to fire? Although Council has promised to initially not layoff firefighters, extra That’s usually the case. After examining the evidence and personnel will be suit-cased to fill slo City fire Department employing the help of the Ventura overtime positions; they have lost County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad and stars in new Reality show But it didn’t happen that way for almost 25% of their daily staffing and munitions expert, members of Ventura Ventura County firefighter Paul Torres, 23% of ALS Fire Units. county Firefighters local 1364 now Forget the Jersey Shore and The Hills. who was battling a two-story house fire believe the configuration in which the in Thousand Oaks, when several rounds “It’s frustrating, but we will continue to ammunition was stored contributed The latest reality TV sensation may be of stored ammunition fired and were fight to protect the safety of the citizens significantly to the way it was dispersed. based in San Luis Obispo. The subject? projected over distances of up to 200 we serve and our firefighters,” Fountain If that’s true, then stored ammunition San Luis Obispo City firefighters. feet and with significant enough energy said. may pose a greater threat to firefighters and velocity to break bone and destroy than the industry currently recognizes. “On Duty with San Luis Obispo City Fire Torres’ eye. In Pasadena, their City Council was going to reduce staffing to three on an engine Department,” which was scheduled to “Our goal is to determine what, if any, hit the small screen at the end of July, After multiple surgeries were at three of eight stations in town. It was storage methods pose more of a hazard is a 22-minute reality show featuring attempted to repair the damage to his a plan that Pasadena Firefightersl ocal in a fire situation,” said chris Mahon, the hardworking men and women that eye, doctors were unable to save it. His 809 refused to accept. President of Ventura county Firefighters comprise local 3523. eye was replaced with an artificial eye, local 1364. “With that information, we can, connected to Torres’ eye muscles so he at a minimum, educate firefighters of the “We believe that by reducing staffing in Each episode will center on two to is able to control its movements. increased threat.” only a few stations, that’s unfair to the community and unfair to the firefighters three calls. A public education segment stationed there, as well,” said Donald and a segment focused on a different cervantes, President of local 809. department specialty from Haz Mat to paramedic to technical rescue will be Instead, the local agreed to brown out a included. ladder truck in exchange for continued four-person staffing on all of their rigs. A film crew rides along with a firefighter crew once or twice a week. From “We’re a two-truck town, no matter there, the footage is edited into a how you look at it. We felt that if we lost show, which gets pre-screened to erik a ladder truck, we would get it back. It Baskin, President of San luis obispo wouldn’t be going away forever,” said Firefighterslocal 3523, and San Luis Cervantes. “On the other hand, we Obispo City’s fire chief before it ever knew that if we went to three-person makes it on air. They both have final staffing, we would be fighting that fight editing rights. for a long time.” “It’s another tool to promote the fire And indeed, in their agreement, once department,” said Baskin. “In times like they reach $750,000 in savings or by these, it’s important to put a positive 2011 fiscal year end, whichever comes message out there and educate the first, the ladder truck will be back in public on what the fire department service. does and where their tax dollars are going.” At least in one case, a local has been able to convince the city to preserve “On Duty with San Luis Obispo City Fire Paul Torres sustained significant eye damage when several rounds of ammunition fired public safety, despite shrinking city Department” is scheduled to air Saturdays while he battled a two-story house fire. (Photo: Juan Carlo / Ventura County Star) revenues. at 7 PM on Fox 11 on the Central Coast.

SecoND QuARteR 2010 15 VoluMe 18 No . 2 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS Bobby Weist CPF 3rd District Vice President

CPF District 3 represents the counties of Del Norte, Siskiyou, Modoc, Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Mendocino, Tehama, Plumas, Lake, Glenn, Butte, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Sierra, Yolo, Placer, Sacramento, El Dorado, San Joaquin, Amador, Calaveras, Alpine, Stanislaus, Tuolumne, Mono, Merced, Mariposa, Monterey, Santa Cruz, San Benito, Fresno, Kings, Madera, Nevada, Tulare and Inyo.

Cecil Ridge leaves legacy local 1289 Woodland faces Battle Despite Passage of Public Resolves Contract safety Measures fter 12 years as president of Modesto city Firefighters As many locals are facing threats of On June 8, voters approved two voted two weeks later to eliminate an local 1289 and 20 years as an layoffs and pension “reform,” Modesto measures to preserve public safety engine company, one-fourth of the fire Executivea Board Member, President levels in Woodland. department’s daily staffing. City Firefighters Local 1289 have made cecil Ridge is stepping down from his the best of a bad situation. leadership post after this term. Measure V, a quarter-cent sales tax “The Council’s action not only puts our The local has just voted to accept measure, promised to keep draconian citizens at risk, it blindsides the citizens During his career, he served as lead the terms of their latest Letter of level cuts, including the elimination of of Woodland, and breaks faith with negotiator, arbitration panel member, Understanding, which is planned to an engine company, from occurring the voters,” said Mark Feuerstein, political campaign organizer and save the city $1.8 million in concessions. in the City of Woodland. Measure U President of Woodland Professional mentor to the next generation of funnels 40 percent of voter-approved Firefighterslocal 4029. “We call members new to the local. The good news? Their contract includes sales taxes to public safety services on them to reverse this betrayal and a 1 percent increase in EMT pay and no within Woodland Police Department restore vital public safety services.” “We will sorely miss his dedication and layoffs. The City will be offering nine and Woodland Fire Department to passion for the safety and well being employees a severance package for maintain the city’s current number of At the time of this publication, the of all firefighters,” said Steve Fimbrez, voluntary retirement. first responders. Woodland Professional Firefighters Vice President of local 1289. have been in negotiations with the City The bad news is they are browning out But despite the passage of these two to find an alternative solution. one engine company in downtown measures, the Woodland City Council Modesto, year-round.

“We’re not losing any firefighters and we’re doing fairly well compared then & now to some of our other brothers and sisters in the valley,” said Fimbrez. The local has proactively offered financial solutions from the beginning in the face of the city’s looming financial crisis.

“When things first started getting rough with the city, Local 1289 was the first organization to step up and offer concessions to help out the city. Other Woodland Fire Department’s daily staffing Woodland Fire Department’s daily city labor groups fell in line behind in the mid 1980s. staffing in 2010. them and the City Council was grateful for that,” Fimbrez said. The elimination of an engine company would reduce the fire department’s staffing by 25% and would bring staffing below 1982 levels.

Join tHe fB gRouP! Snap a photo of this barcode to join Woodland Firefighters’ Facebook group and voice your opposition against the City of Woodland’s plan to Local 1289 President Cecil Ridge is eliminate an engine company. stepping down after this term.

VoluMe 18 No . 2 16 Seco ND QuARteR 2010 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS Randy sekany th “Many people are intimidated by him and his leadership. His heart and CPF 4 District Vice President playing hardball, but once you step his soul are still very much in the fire out onto the field, it all comes back to service.” CPF District 4 represents the you,” Sanner said. “Games are held on counties of Sonoma, Napa, Solano, Sundays and our families come out to Livermore-Pleasanton’s former Fire Marin, Contra Costa, Alameda, watch and support us. Everyone has a Chief William Cody and Deputy Fire San Francisco, San Mateo and great time.” Chief Jeff Zolfarelli retired in the past Santa Clara. year, after a rocky relationship with If you are interested in joining the league, Local 1974. email Phil Sanner at psanner@iaff3501. org.

livermore-Pleasanton gain new fC from Modesto

Sometimes one local’s loss is another local’s gain.

City of Vallejo loses He formed a team with some other Such is the case for livermore- firefighters called the Fireballers and Pleasanton Firefighters local 1974, Binding Arbitration began playing in a men’s league in whose new fire chief, Jim Miguel, Sacramento. comes highly recommended by the inding arbitration has been a brothers and sisters in Modesto city part of the Vallejo city charter These days, Sanner’s dream has grown Firefighterslocal 1289. for 40 years, but it has been into a firefighter league with two repealedB with the passage of Measure A teams, comprising about 80 percent Former Modesto Fire Chief Jim Miguel on the June ballot. professional, union firefighters (the is a 27-year veteran of the Modesto other 20 percent have been sons of Fire Department. He joined the The measure passed with 454 votes, firefighters and police officers). Players department as a firefighter in 1982 and despite the opposition campaign by come from Vallejo, Fairfield, Contra worked his way to the top. In addition, Fire Fighters local 1186, the Vallejo Costa and Napa Fire Departments and he has contributed to the california Jim Miguel is the new Police Officers Association and the there is opportunity for more teams to Firefighters Memorial eremonyc Livermore-Pleasanton fire chief. International Brotherhood of Electrical join as interest grows. since 2006. Miguel’s new start date with Workers. Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department Sanner’s goal is to expand to four was July 6, 2010. Miguel will be responsible for Measure A eliminates binding teams and he is currently looking appointing a new deputy fire chief. arbitration and makes Vallejo subject to for firefighter players from the Bay/ “We are very excited and pleased that the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act (MMBA). Valley area. Locals are encouraged to he is joining us,” said Jason Solak, “This appointment provides a much form a team from their department President of livermore-Pleasanton needed fresh start,” said Solak. “We’re “This is a landmark vote in California or combine with other departments if Firefighters . “His reputation precedes looking forward to the opportunity and now that the other side has seen they don’t have enough players. Any him as a man of integrity. I’ve been a to work with Chief Miguel and to they’re successful in eliminating firefighter who shares the love of the member of the processing panel and forge a positive labor management binding arbitration, I’m sure other sport is welcomed. I continue to be very impressed with relationship.” cities will try,” said Kyle long, Vice President of local 1186.

In California, 24 other cities have binding arbitration in their city charters.

For more information on the latest in Vallejo, visit www.iaff1186.com.

local 3501 starts firefighter Baseball league

Two years ago, Vacaville Firefighters local 3501 President Phil Sanner had a dream – actually a “field of dreams.”

He wanted to play ball again.

“We were looking for a healthy way to escape the harsh realities of our jobs as firefighters and the daily grind of union business,” said Sanner. “Many of us PHoto gAlleRY! played softball together, but wanted to Take a photo of this icon to go back to our youth and play baseball, see the Fireballers at play. the greatest game in the world.”

The Fireballers are part of a firefighter baseball league started by Local 3501 President Phil Sanner.

SecoND QuARteR 2010 17 VoluMe 18 No . 2 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS

Michael Massone local f-116 Vice President who went missing on June 20th, 2010 CPF 5th District Vice President after a boating accident near Gaviota Joins Health Benefits rustt State Beach. Brother Fleming was 32 CPF District 5 represents federal years old. firefighters across the state of When Nils Anderson announced his retirement from cPF’s health Benefits California Brother Fleming was hired by trust, an opening became available Vandenberg Fire Department in and Bill Burch stepped up to the plate. May of 1998. He served the citizens of Vandenberg Air Force Base and “I was just feeling like federal the State of California for 12 years as firefighters needed someone to a Hotshot, engineer, Helitack crew represent them on the Health Benefits member, Water Rescue Team program Trust,” said Burch, who is a fire captain manager and union vice president. and Vice President of local F-116.

Burch already had some interest in A memorial service was held for the Health Benefits Trust. In March, Fleming at Our Lady of Assumption he attended a meeting to share his Church in Ventura on July 1, 2010. He personal experience with the PYI Plan will be missed. and offer ideas on how to enhance the want to start by saying THANK YOU PERIOD! We have followed this principle system for federal firefighters, while Donations in his honor can be made to all of the members of this great when interviewing all candidates and also adding safeguards to ensure that payable to Sean Fleming Memorial, c/o district who re-elected me to my our recommended candidates are the system wasn’t abused. Vandenberg Professional Firefighters ififth term as your vice president. the ones who have supported us and Local F-116, P.O. Box 5156, Vandenberg have pledged to continue that support At CPF Convention, Burch was Air Force Base, CA 93437. This past April, CPF held its biennial through these incredibly difficult times. nominated and elected to serve the convention in sunny San Diego. The position. great work by the delegates charted This summer and fall, we will be asking update on Presidio ffs our course for the next two years. Many every one of you to participate in the “We had a meeting this month and ideas became reality through resolutions election process. This election will I really enjoyed it. I look forward to and the great opportunity for directly affect you and your families. While the Presidio Firefighters serving the CPF body, both federal and networking. What most of us discovered anxiously await an arbitrator’s ruling on municipal firefighters,” said Burch. is that we are all struggling with lack Aside from the election, your Executive their staffing grievance pertaining to of funding, reduced staffing, pay and Board, political and legislative staff NFPA 1710, they are also waiting to find Burch has been with the fire service benefit cuts, station and company continues to further our legislative out which 19 of their 34 employees will since 1977 and has been a union closures … you get the picture! agenda. This agenda is driven be losing their jobs come October. firefighter since 1981. He has spent the directly by you -- we take your ideas, past 13 years with Vandenberg Fire Your Executive Board listened and, suggestions and often unintended During the arbitration proceedings, the Department. once again, are taking the lead with an consequences of current legislation National Park Service decided to close aggressive agenda that will get people and craft solutions to these problems. the Presidio Fire Department after 93 back to work, stimulate the economy and, Rest assured that we will continue to Memorial Held for years and contract for service. On the once again, prove that firefighters are pursue relief for our members and their south side of the Golden Gate Bridge, always there when the public needs us. families. I wish to thank you all again Missing Vandenberg the San Francisco Fire Department will for your confidence, your trust and firefighter cover fire response by staffing Engine A key component of this plan is electing the honor to represent all of you as a 51 in the Presidio and utilizing existing a governor who will put working men member of this incredible UNION. Vandenberg Fire Department and outlining companies. and women first; a man who has the Vandenberg Firefighters F-116 paid experience and leadership to guide this Stay strong, stay proud, stay union! tribute in July to brother Sean Fleming On the north side of the Bridge, the state back to solvency. That man is Jerry fire station will be permanently closed Brown. Your Executive Board has had the and the Southern Marin Fire Protection opportunity to meet with Jerry on more District will be contracted to provide than one occasion and he has laid out service to Fort Baker and the Marin his plan to reinvigorate our state and get Headlands. our friends, neighbors and families back to work. Under the terms of the agreement, San Francisco will be hiring 12 firefighters Jerry Brown was the governor and three ambulance/paramedics from who signed the firefighter cancer the ranks of the Presidio; the remaining presumption law, the first in the 19 will separate from service. nation. This same legislation is the cornerstone of our current pending So, who goes to SFFD? No one knows! legislation before Congress. Jerry After multiple delays in the contracting Brown also earned the name “Governor process, the final agreement is still Moonbeam” after proposing to place pending the approval of the Fire an emergency communications satellite Commission, Board of Supervisors and for firefighters and police. By the Mayor. After these hurdles are cleared, way, we now have two of these same the selected members will receive satellites orbiting overhead! conditional offers of employment and Vandenberg fire captain Bill Burch Vandenberg firefighter Sean Fleming be required to pass CPAT, medical and The CPF endorsement is based on is the newest member of CPF’s was last seen kayaking near Gaviota background checks. The academy for the most basic tenet: we support Health Benefits Trust. State Beach. these members is expected to begin in those who support firefighter issues ... August.

VoluMe 18 No . 2 18 Seco ND QuARteR 2010 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS Bob Wolf CPF 6th District Vice President

CPF District 6 represents CDF Firefighters, Local 2881

ometimes when reading media you can to connect with them during an understanding of what to expect become evident because that first coverage of public safety, every available moment. The time you during the course and scope of their attack is held to a minimum number of it is forgotten that beyond have with your family is valuable, and employment. acres and hours. theS discussion of salary, benefits fleeting, and all of us know too many and conditions, there remains the firefighters who lost their marriages The Governor and his representatives Over the past several years, Governors fundamental truth that these are the and connections to their children played an integral role in the contract Schwarzenegger and Davis have months when our firefighters lose critical because of their job. Don’t let it happen discussions. CDF Firefighters dealt allowed 4-0 staffing through Executive contact with their families. It has been to you. If you feel that such a risk is in with them in good faith and came to Order. This year, 4-0 staffing will be my experience as a second generation your life, please take advantage of the agreements that media throughout the included in the General Fund budget, firefighter, someone who was born in counseling that is available through state have hailed as a move in the right with the idea being that CAL FIRE can a firehouse and has spent his entire cAl FiRe and the union. direction. prove its efficacy over this fire season professional career in a firefighter’s and make it a permanent part of the uniform, that marriage and family ties The new contract will call for 3% at 55 way we prepare for fire season. are often strained during fire season. Contract negotiations instead of 50 for new hires. The highest three consecutive years instead of the CDF Firefighters and CAL FIRE We do not work or live in a vacuum. highest single year will be final threshold contracted with Dr. Matt Rahn from It is true that many of you will be away All of us read the daily attacks against number for retirement. The employees San Diego State University to do a 4-0 from your loved ones for extended public employees and their contracts of CAL FIRE will also contribute in greater staffing study and scientifically put in periods during fire season. It is not and pensions. While there is no doubt numbers to CalPERS. perspective the reasoning. We were unusual for us to be called in the middle that spiking problems have created extremely careful not to influence the of the night and disappear for weeks havoc for all of us, it is also true that There is no doubt that we took a step study in any way so the results belong at a time. Even a few days off are often if every state employee disappeared back to assess these issues. While it to the university itself, and can become periods of exhaustion and recovery. tomorrow, the $19 billion state may not be among our first choices of a non-partisan reference for individuals Unfortunately, these are moments in budget would still not be funded and how to move forward, it certainly takes interested in fire response. which we don’t have the energy to do there would be chaos everywhere in into consideration all of the dynamics much more than refresh our supplies California. and catch up on much needed sleep. surrounding budgets and the political The study will certainly be part of the emphasis on reimbursements for discussion of 4-0 staffing in the future. However, having said that, cDF employees. From my own personal experience, This spring, the youngest of my three Firefighterslocal 2881 wants to be I always thought that anything less sons was married. It reminded me of part of the solution. For those who We were fair. Ultimately, considering the than 4-0 staffing presented unneeded how much time I was away from my believe the situation is not sustainable circumstances, we believe the Governor dangers to the community and an boys when they were growing up and and for those who believe that no was fair also. unwarranted risk to firefighters. how often my wife must have felt like retreat should be summoned, we say a single mother raising her boys alone to both of them that common ground during the summer months. must be reached. 4-0 staffing study stay safe

I guess what I am trying to say to all CDF Firefighters worked closely with Firefighters have long contended Most important of all, we ask that you of you is that it is so important that the Governor’s office to fashion an that the obvious is true. The more stay safe. Remember that fighting fires you sit down with your family early MOU structure that is sensible for the firefighters who respond to an incident, is a team effort and it is important that in the fire season and explain the state of California and involves genuine the more effective the response will you are fit and healthy and that you responsibilities that will be keeping you reform. However, it also allows all CAL be. While the expense for initial attack adhere to the excellent training you away. You also have to do everything FIRE firefighters, present and future, may be higher, the overall cost savings have been given.

SecoND QuARteR 2010 19 VoluMe 18 No . 2 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS Dave gillotte CPF 7th District Vice President

CPF District 7 represents Los Angeles County Fire Fighters, Local 1014

he 7th District finds itself to continue to elect those individuals dump multi-millions of dollars of her important to our membership. If you preparing to add our six who understand the nature of our own money into the campaign to try don’t have these relationships in place, Tmembers, who died last year occupation and are willing to support and win this thing. better start heading in that direction in the line of duty to the California our issues in their task of voting and and fast. Don’t be bullied or give up Firefighters Memorial Wall this year. We lawmaking. local 1014 members just recently pay and benefits without doing the are re-living, to some extent, the Station voted on a historic dues increase of math and offering up some alternatives. Fire and the dramatic deaths of our In California, each and every one of us almost $23/month for not only the Brothers ted hall and Arnie Quinones made a commitment of $8 member/ governor’s race, but also to prepare for The 7th District membership and … we also lost four others as a result of month to fight Meg Whitman and to our Board of Supervisors’ races in 2014, leadership is also preparing to head the hidden dangers of this profession help elect Jerry Brown as our next each of which will be in the millions. to the IAFF Convention in San Diego they boldly chose. governor. Believe me when I tell you, This will help us to continue to play at a this month. There are a number of if Meg Whitman is elected, we are in high level in our local city politics and CPF-sponsored resolutions and Local Phil Arreguin died of a heart attack some serious trouble. Her top two to continue our long standing tradition 1014 has crafted two resolutions that in the line of duty and tonya Burns, priorities are putting all new hire of pushing hard at the state level. deal with the Alternative Minimum Tax carrie henger-Neffand Richard carr firefighters into a defined contribution, (AMT) that we all pay and “Constructive lost their battles with occupational 401(K)-style pension and silencing the We also feel that initiatives will be a Receipt” which deals with the tax you cancer. Each of these members will be very strong voice of our unions through large part of our program into the near have to pay on the value of accrued and missed, have served well and will not be political action. future -- either sponsoring them to banked benefit time when it goes on forgotten. Each left behind spouses and benefit us or battling them, if they seek the books, just as if it was cash in hand children, parents and friends, and this Jerry Brown gave us all collective to attack us. Our dues had not been as salary … if you have control of the should be a reminder of not only how bargaining and also signed into law the raised for nearly 20 years and we have days to either take them off or choose dangerous this job is, but also why we cancer presumption law we have come gone from 1% of top step firefighter to get paid for them. These are two work so hard serving as union leaders. to rely on so heavily for our members. to 1.33% of top step firefighter. We very important issues that affect our He will be the moderate, non-extreme encourage everyone to consider if they pocketbooks, and combined with the We are protecting not only the experienced individual that can also, are funded properly to do their part in unwinding of any negative impact of firefighters, paramedics and fire service once again, put a surplus of billions the battle we find ourselves in … it is the National Healthcare Reform Bill ... personnel we represent, but also their back into the state budget like he did critical to the effort. we should be very busy at Convention families. Let our firefighters not only be his last term. He is not the young, brash and hopefully CPF and the 10th District remembered, but also let their ultimate Jerry of yesterday, but a time-tested, Los Angeles County Fire Fighters will speak up loudly on our issues. sacrifice be a reminder and a motivator refined leader who will certainly never continue to battle the same budget to work that much harder through let firefighters get attacked on our woes, due to austere property tax Keep up the hard work that each and our great unions to protect and issues. collections that other unions and every one of you from each CPF district enhance our wages, benefits to include departments battle. We continue to does day in and day out to protect what healthcare and pensions, and improve los Angeles county Fire Fighters push the appropriate use of reserves we have, and ensure the firefighters and keep as safe as we can our working are not only contributing to the effort and advocate responsible budget of tomorrow have what we have. We conditions and staffing. All of these through the CPF assessment, but we cutbacks that won’t affect staffing are proud to be a part of this great issues dramatically affect the families are also directly contributing the max to get the math right. There is no organization, this great team. that are left behind. amounts for primary and general running from the math on the loss of election and providing firefighters on revenues, but good political action As my great friend Dallas Jones used to On that note, how do we protect the ground and at the phones to help and relationships with not only elected say to me … “Rascal, stay the course!” our members and their families? We with the effort. We know what’s at officials but also the fire chief and/or That is exactly what we must do … remain vigilant and on guard through stake, and we are not taking the task managers is also very helpful to finding slow and strong and unrelenting in our political action and legislative efforts lightly because with Whitman, she will support for protecting that which is so efforts. See you at Convention.

VoluMe 18 No . 2 20 Seco ND QuARteR 2010 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS Pat Mcosker CPF 8th District Vice President

CPF District 8 represents the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112

s most everyone knows, the to some last minute and ill-advised LAFD has been operating for interference by a small group of A nearly a year now with 28 anonymous saboteurs. companies closed each day due to budget cuts. Now, on the heels of that setback, we are at it again. The impact of these “brownouts” on local 112 firefighters and the The fall-back plan we are now lobbying community that we protect has been is to replace brownouts with savings devastating. Emergency responses are in four areas. Without going into too now routinely delayed in Los Angeles much detail, the four components are due to the lack of available companies. as follows: new sources of revenue As a result, many citizens have paid which we first proposed several months a terrible price and firefighters have ago, the continued closure of 10 BLS been impacted, as well. In at least one ambulances, a package of departmental instance, a crew of firefighters suffered efficiencies and the savings attained burns when they entered a burning through another reasonable one-year building and fought bravely and alone contract deal. Together, the dollar for an extended period of time because amount in these four items adds up to the next due company was closed for what is needed to end brownouts and the day. to retain the fixed positions that are threatened by further budget cuts. While no firefighters have died yet because of LAFD brownouts, if they are As of this writing, our lobbying effort is allowed to continue, it’s only a matter on track and many elected officials are of time before the inevitable happens. voicing their support for the plan. In the coming days, we will be back at the The most recent high-profile example bargaining table to see if their support of the danger of brownouts occurred translates into a fair and final deal. We on the night of July 13 when a South hope so. If not, we won’t give up. LA golf club manufacturing plant caught fire. Within minutes, the water- Local 112 is committed to doing reactive metal used in the process was whatever it takes to end brownouts in burning intensely. Although the first a way that’s sensible and just, and we arriving companies had recognized the will get it done. In the meantime, we hazard and properly elected to protect Chunks of burning metal rained down on LA City firefighters as they appreciate the support and solidarity exposures while keeping water away battled a blaze in South Los Angeles. of the vast majority of the membership from the burning metal, a later arriving during these unprecedented and high-level commander countermanded difficult circumstances. that order and called for hose streams to the drain on resources caused LAFD The fire that occurred on July 13 is be aimed directly at the seat of the fire. dispatchers to scramble to keep further proof that these dangerous the rest of the city protected. They brownouts are unacceptable. For that immediately began moving all available Before long, that mistake caused a huge reason, Local 112 has done and will fire companies around the city and explosion, ripping the building apart continue to do everything within our into stations whose firefighters were power to bring them to a halt. and sending chunks of burning metal working on the blaze. But try as high into the sky. As the fireballs rained they might, there weren’t enough down, they struck and injured three resources left to cover all the bases. During April and May, we worked firefighters and ignited new fires in six For a period of time, 14 fire station feverishly through the budget process nearby buildings. districts went without any fire company to try to convince a majority of LA to protect them. This disservice in Council members to fully fund the At the high point of the incident, 220 14 neighborhoods occurred on a day LAFD and end brownouts in spite of the firefighters were on scene battling that city leaders had closed 15 fire economic uncertainty. Unfortunately intense flames. As one might imagine, companies to save a few bucks. that effort fell just short, due in part

SecoND QuARteR 2010 21 VoluMe 18 No . 2 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS

And This Year’s Telly Awards Go To … FireStar Productions irestar Productions’ contributions to the fire service were recognized Fthis year by the Telly Awards.

The video production company was honored with six Telly Awards. Two Silver honors were given for san Jose fire fighters local 230’s “Every Second Counts” and CDf firefighters local 2881 and CAl fiRe’s “California’s Fire Department” videos. They received two Bronze statuettes for CPf firevision Episode 2 and California fire fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee’s Terrorism Consequence Management “Car Bomb Scenario” training video. In addition, they received two Bronzes for their video FireStar Productions was behind the San Jose Fire Fighters Local 230’s work for the State Building and “Every Second Counts” video, which received a Silver Telly Award this year. Construction Trades and Eskaton.

“FireStar helped us tell the story of what Awards history. Nearly 11,000 entries FireStar is a proud recipient of nearly San Jose firefighters do and what cutbacks from all 50 states and numerous country two dozen Telly Awards since its would mean to public safety in our city,” were submitted and reviewed. The inception in 1992. said Randy sekany, President of san Telly Awards honor the very best local, Jose fire fighters local 230. “‘Every regional and cable TV commercials and Second Counts’ has been a powerful programs, video and film productions communications tool for us to bring to and work created for the Web. council members and community groups. fRee ViDeo! FireStar deserved this award.” “We are committed to helping Snap a photo of this firefighters and the fire service and barcode to watch San FireStar received these prestigious we feel so honored to have been Jose Firefighters’ “Every Second Counts” video. honors in a year that was reported to recognized for our work,” said FireStar be one of the most competitive in Telly Vice President Kelley trujillo. hAve You Been lAiD of f ? The CFFJAC’s Displaced Firefighter List can help!

The CFFJAC maintains a list of qualified state and local firefighters who will be or have been terminated in California as a result of job elimination. The list can save fire departments time and money in the hiring process while allowing professional firefighters to continue in their fire service career. is Your Department

ViSit WWW c. FFJAc .oRg AND clicK oN the “DiSPlAceD FiReFighteR liSt ButtoN” FoR hiring? MoRe iNFoRMAtioN oR to ReQueSt AN APPlicAtioN . Departments may hire directly from the list or submit candidates to screening exams or fRee ResouRCe! interviews . Request a copy of the Displaced Take a photo of the barcode with your smartphone to get further information Firefighterlist today at cFFJAc@cpf org. . about the application process.

VoluMe 18 No . 2 22 Seco ND QuARteR 2010 cAliFoRNiA PRoFeSSioNAl FiReFighteRS

Sign up for cPF’s Breaking News Alerts & enter to win an iPad

Sign up today for CPF’s Breaking News Email Alerts and you will be automatically entered in our drawing to win an Apple iPad with Wi-Fi, 16 GB, valued at $499.

enteR to Win! Take a photo of this icon with your smartphone to sign up for Breaking News Email Alerts and enter to win an iPad.

As a Breaking news email Alert subscriber, you will receive:

The latest headlines on pension reform, local government CONTEST RULES funding and safety standards; • You must be an active CPF member, Callback member or retiree in good standing, to be eligible to register and win. News about line-of-duty deaths, firefighter-related legislation • Sign up for CPF’s Breaking News Alerts by September 15, 2010 and firefighter events in California; • Contest is open to new and existing email subscribers. Existing email subscribers will be automatically entered in the contest. The latest CPF news and news affecting other CPF locals. • All who are signed up to receive CPF’s Breaking News Alerts by September 15, 2010 will be automatically entered to win an Apple Because we value your privacy, your email address will never be iPad with Wi-Fi, 16 GB (valued at $499). shared or sold. And because we zero in on what really matters to • Contest closes at 11:59 PM, September 15, 2010. firefighters and their families, you can be assured that you won’t be • Winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email by bombarded with irrelevant information. September 22, 2010. • Winner will have 14 days to respond to email notification. If the Just visit CPF.org and click the “Win an iPad” button to register for winner does not respond by October 6, 2010, the winner will CPF’s Breaking News Email Alerts today. automatically forfeit winnings and an alternate winner will be chosen. • One qualifying entry per person only. Please note that if you already receive Breaking News alerts, you have automatically been entered in the iPad contest so please don’t • iPad is a registered trademark of Apple®, Inc. All rights reserved. Apple®, Inc. is not a sponsor of, or in any way responsible for sign up twice. conducting the contest or providing contest prizes.

SecoND QuARteR 2010 23 VoluMe 18 No . 2 PleAse Post ... PleAse Post ... PleAse Post A CleAr ChoiCe for CAliforniA’s first responders california Professional Firefighters’ endorsements reflect where the candidates stand on the issues that matter to firefighters and their families – your career … your retirement … your safety.

After interviewing both major party candidates, we believe the choice for governor has never been clearer. Where They Stand on Your Issues Issue Meg Whitman Jerry Brown

• two-tier retirement system (privatized • Preserve secure pensions Retirement 401k-style system) • Strengthen retirement system funding • increase retirement age Security • curb management abuses • higher employee contribution

Fire • Signed law which established FF Apprenticeship • No record or public position (cFFJAc) Protection • Not listed as priority in any campaign material • Backed satellite-based emergency network (in the 1970s!) & Training • Built and backs funding for mutual aid system

• Supports 2004 workers’ comp rollbacks • Signed nation’s first FF cancer presumption Workers • Backs more “modernization” favoring employers • cracked down on insurers denying claims • Sued employers for cheating workers’ comp

• Never negotiated labor contract • Signed state and local collective bargaining laws Collective • Vows to “go after the unions” • Says collective bargaining is venue to address • Supports plan to pre-empt bargaining on Bargaining employee issues pensions

• Supports Prop . 75-type measure to silence your Firefighter • opposed Prop . 75 -- “Paycheck Deception” political voice • Stands with workers against corporate election Free Speech • Backs more corporate influence influence Rights • Spent nearly $100 million in the primary

• Wants to cut 40,000 state jobs (FFs not exempt) • 2 million total jobs created during first tenure as Jobs and the • As eBay ceo, 10% of jobs slashed or shipped governor (1975-1983); Economy overseas • Job creation #1 priority • Wants more visas for foreign workers • opposes wrenching state job cuts

• Never held public office • governor (1975-1983) • Did not vote in 28 elections • cA Attorney general (2006-present) Background • corporate ceo – FtD, hasbro, eBay • Mayor, oakland (1998-2006) • Presided over 54% eBay stock decline • cA Secretary of State (1971-75)

We know you take the time to balance all the issues, and we’re not here to tell you how to vote. But on the issues that affect your career, your retirement and your family’s future, it’s not even close.

While Meg Whitman made a mint, Jerry Brown was making a difference … for firefighters, their families and all working Californians.

California Professional firefighters recommends JeRRY BRoWn for governor get the facts at www.cpf.org PleAse Post on Your union Bulletin BoArD