ISSUE 01 // JULY 2021

The California Fire Foundation - assisting families of fallen firefighters, firefighters and the FIRE LINES communities they protect.

/// PAGE 4 /// PAGE 6 /// PAGE 7 CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION: FUNDRAISER MESSAGE FROM HELPING HEAL CALIFORNIA SPOTLIGHT OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Photos: Anthony Guevara/ FOX26 and James Parr

BENEVOLENT ENHANCEMENT 2 “THE FIRE WAS TOO FIERCE, community his own house was to tell people that everything was there was nothing that could be burning, and he would soon get lost,” said Fire Chief James Parr. done,” said Fire Chief James Parr word that it too was lost to the Just like the Pine Ridge Vol- of the Pine Ridge Volunteer Fire flames. The fire came through the unteers, thousands of California Department (PRVFD). Pine Ridge community in 30 min- firefighters work tirelessly for our On September 4, 2020, the Creek utes and 66 out of the 88 homes in communities, day in and day out. Fire started near Shaver Lake and the area were destroyed. When catastrophic wildfires or burned 379,895 acres. James Parr Fifteen out of the twenty-four natural disasters strike, many of our was a street away from his home volunteer fire personnel at PRVFD firefighters remain on the front lines, Benevolent fighting a really fast-moving fire lost their homes that day. Many had even as their own homes are lost. Enhancement: with 100-200ft flames. At the time lived in the area for decades. “We’re This is the brutal reality for Cali- he had no idea that while he fought all basically friends and family up fornia firefighters and is why in 2018, A Time for Growth tirelessly to protect a neighboring here and this ripped us apart. I had As Chairman, I am grateful Continued on page 3 to be surrounded by a wonderful, dedicated board MEMORIAL SAVE THE DATE /// PAGE 8 of directors that have a shared vision of success and growth of the California ... As a member of the CPF family, you are already entitled to a range of services offered to every one of our members. Every member receives the California Professional Firefighter, our quarterly newspaper that keeps all CPF members “up to speed” with issues and colleagues around the state. Members who send us their email addresses will also receive timely updates on activities FIRE LINES that affect your career as a first responder. Our CPF web sitePAGE (www.cpf.org) 2 offers ISSUEa wealth 01 // JULY of 2021 PAGE 3 online information and services, including PER Online, CPF’s state-of-the-art Personal Exposure Reporting database that lets you document on-the-job hazards that can affect your benefits. MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR COVER STORY CONTINUED Of course, much of CPF’s success is tied directly to the pride our members take in their chosen career. Firefighters love what they do, and like to show their colors whenever and wherever they can. Your CPF membership entitles you to purchase one of those eye-catching Firefighter License in response to the losses experi- Plates, the proceeds from which go toward maintaining the California Firefighters’ Memorial. We sisters as they work tirelessly to enced by the firefighters battling BENEVOLENT ENHANCEMENT: also offer a similarly striking credit card with an attractive interest rate. Because of our direct protect our state. the Camp Fire in Northern Cali- affiliationAs difficult both withas recent your times local haveand IAFF, you can be assured that the proceeds fromfornia these and the Woolsey and Hill been,products our mission go directly remains back theinto services for firefighters and their families. Fires in Southern California, the A TIME FOR GROWTH same – to provide emotional and California Fire Foundation estab- AS CHAIRMAN, I am grateful to Benevolent Fund Program to pro- financialAs you might assistance have guessed,to families we of feel very honored to be a part of a proud tradition oflished public the service. California Firefighters be surrounded by a wonderful, vide additional aid to frontline fallenI’ve spent firefighters, most of myfirefighters life working and with firefighters, and there’s just no finer bunch ofBenevolent folks anywhere Fund. dedicated board of directors that firefighters. theelse. communities I encourage they you protect. to keep in touch, either directly, or through your local leadership.The And initial be aim of the fund was have a shared vision of success With the continued support sureOn to behalf stop by of the our CPF Board website of (www.cpf.org). to provide support to firefighters and growth of the California Fire from the Foundation’s donors and Directors and the California Fire that experienced damage or loss Foundation. Our call for commu- increased funding, we are work- FoundationOnce again, staff on behalf we thank of the you. Executive Board and 30,000 of your California colleagues,of their thank personal you residence and nity action and to serve others is ing to further the mission of the Yourfor your support contribution makes the to California our proud profession!Brian K. Rice assistance to firefighters that sus- deeply rooted in all of us and as Benevolent Fund to aid firefighters Fire Foundation’s work possible tained burn injuries in the course Chair we brace ourselves for another injured on the job or impacted by andSincerely, for that we are truly grateful. of their employment providing year of wildfires, we are honored fire or natural disaster. This pro- California Fire Foundation them with a benefit of $500. to announce the expansion to gram is yet another way for us The California Firefighters the California Fire Foundation’s to help support our brothers and Benevolent Fund is one of our most vital programs. This year we BrianLou Paulson K. Rice President

CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS SECRETARY Mike Lopez DIRECTOR Daniel A. Terry CAL FIRE (retired) President Emeritus, Secretary-Treasurer, California Professional Firefighters California Professional Firefighters Modesto Fire Department (retired)

are enhancing the program and helping our brave firefighters in DIRECTOR Freddy Escobar DIRECTOR Dave Gillotte DIRECTOR Jair Juarez DIRECTOR Rex Pritchard can now award a benevolent ben- their hour of need, just as they Los Angeles City Fire Department Los Angeles County Fire Department Modesto Fire Department Long Beach Fire Department efit of $2,000 for firefighters who are committed to helping us in lose their homes and up to $5,000 ours,” said Rick Martinez, Exec- in the event of severe injury or utive Director of the California death. This enhancement enables Fire Foundation. “We are truly the California Fire Foundation to thankful for all our donors, large increase the support to firefight- and small, who have helped make ers and their families displaced this enhancement a reality for our from their homes due to disaster, deserving firefighters. line-of-duty deaths and line-of- For more information regard- duty injuries. ing the Benevolent Fund visit “We believe this enhancement www.cafirefoundation.org/

DIRECTOR Darrel Roberts DIRECTOR Tim Edwards DIRECTOR Vince Wells DIRECTOR Charlie Martinez, Jr. Photos:Anthony Guevara/FOX26 illustrates our commitment to benevolent Chula Vista Fire Department CAL FIRE Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Vandenberg AFB Fire Department FIRE LINES PAGE 4 ISSUE 01 // JULY 2021 PAGE 5

GRANTS AND DONATION NEWS

TINY PINE FOUNDATION CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION: The California Fire Foundation granted funds to the Tiny Pine Foundation to build four homes and much needed shelter for individuals and families displaced HELPING TO HEAL CALIFORNIA by the North Complex Fire. These tiny homes are 100% supported ecent times have been unbelievably 3 by volunteers and donations and difficult for many. In California, provide those that lost everything communities were hurting not only 5 to the wildfire a place to call home. from the COVID-19 pandemic but 4 Ralso the most unprecedented wildfire EMERGENCY RV season in our state’s history. Through our EmergencyRV.org is a 100% volunteer-based 3 disaster relief programs and corporate nonprofit providing emergency and transitional funded grants from Edison International, “The radios your gift provided will allow Hornbrook RV housing to survivors of natural disaster. The Pacific Gas & Electric and Chevron, the firefighters to direct resources where they are needed most grant awarded to EmergencyRV.org by the California Fire Foundation offers grants and will help ensure that everyone goes home safe. We, California Fire Foundation provided RV housing for prevention, preparation and response and those we serve, sincerely appreciate your generosity.” to more than 10 families. Many of those families to major events, including wildfires, and first responders were displaced by fires such floods and climate-caused disasters. - Tim Thurner, Chief, Hornbrook Fire FPD as the Creek, North Complex, SCU Lightening Over the course of this past year we 2 1 Complex and Slater-Devil fires. “The generous were able to give a much-needed helping TRINTIY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT The CFF provided grant funding to purchase pistol grip 6 grant from the California Fire Foundation helps hand to community-based organiza- nozzles, chain saw, chaps and new hoses to replace fund our mission and we are delighted to be able tions across California disbursing over ones burnt in a 2019 wildfire. “We greatly appreciate to provide at least 10 families a safe place to call $2 million in grants and related equip- the funding from the California Fire Foundation that home while they get back on their feet. It is an ment to 130 fire departments, firefighter will prepare our small rural VFD for the wildland fire 4 amazing feeling to be able to give them hope,” associations, fire safe councils and other challenges that we will face” Carol Fall, Assistant Chief, “We greatly appreciate said Woody Faircloth, Founder of Emergency RV. community organizations throughout Trinity Center Volunteer Fire Department. California. Here is just a small example the funding from the California Fire Foundation of those we awarded funding to. 5 that will prepare our small rural VFD for the “This grant will ensure the men and women wildland fire challenges of the Dunsmuir Fire Department will be able that we will face!” to effectively suppress wildland fires in a CERES COMMUNITY PROJECT safe manner, with “state of the art” personal Grant recipient, Ceres Community Project, mentor teens to build food - Carol Fall, Assistant Chief, protective equipment.” preparation skills and works with volunteers to deliver the food to people in Trinity Center Volunteer Fire need. In the aftermath of the Glass-Shady-Boysen Fire and LNU Complex Fire Department - Fire Chief Daniel Padilla, Dunsmuir Fire Department the Ceres Community Project delivered meals to evacuees staying at shelters.

“Ceres Community Project was the grateful recipient of a grant from the 6 California Fire Foundation to support our response during the wildfires last year “With your support, we providing medically tailored meals to evacuees with serious health conditions.” advanced a bold strategy in close partnership with - Evie Facendini, Ceres Community Project. OJAI VALLEY FIRE SAFE COUNCIL our community partners to Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council were awarded advance wildfire relief and funding to develop and support the first year recovery efforts. We spent this 1 of a community-based prescribed grazing 2 past several months helping program for vegetation management, fuels “Because of the award, we were able to purchase “Your generosity has allowed us to outfit our volunteers in the impacted families in Sonoma reduction and ecosystem enhancement in better quality and safer PPE for our personnel instead proper gear and upgrade our communications. Our volunteers the Ojai Valley’s wildland-urban interface. and Napa Counties.” of the cheapest bare minimum gear.” are now better prepared for the upcoming fire season.” The proposed grazing program will increase treated areas by thousands of acres each year. - Samantha Sandoval, Latino - James Klyn, Fire Chief, Mi Wuk Sugar Pine Fire Protection District - Dee Martin, Strawberry Fire Protection District (SFPD) Board President Community Foundation FIRE LINES PAGE 6 ISSUE 01 // JULY 2021 PAGE 7

MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FUNDRAISER SPOTLIGHT COMING OUT OF THE DARK Dear Friends, first edition informational and ment to providing emotional and insightful. financial assistance to firefighters, I am excited to bring you the This last year has brought extreme their families and the communi- inaugural issue of our California hardship and adversity to so many, ties they protect. Providing hope Fire Foundation newsletter and but the California Fire Foundation in the face of struggle and loss is hopeful that you will find our remains steadfast in its commit- at the heart of the California Fire

Rick Martinez Executive Director California Fire Foundation

Foundation’s mission. Many of our communities have suffered through not only the Kyle Costamagna (second devastating effects of the pan- from right) and his friends demic but also some of the worst wildfires in our region’s history, and through it all our California he California Fire Foun- school. His brother Dylan’s 2016 firefighters have been on the front dation is very close to the scholarship also helped him earn lines facing these catastrophes Costamagna family’s hearts. a degree from Cal Poly and, like head on, helping those commu- Twenty-two years ago, the his brother, he is hoping to follow nities in their hour of need. Tfamily’s world was turned upside in his father’s footsteps, having Just as California firefighters down when Fremont firefighter, recently graduated from the Allan were on the front lines, our foun- Larry Costamagna, died in the Hancock College Fire Academy. dation has been busy supporting line of duty. Through the founda- Now the family are giving back communities heavily impacted by tion’s commitment to serving the to the Foundation and in May 2021 disaster, to include the direct and families of our fallen brothers and held their own fundraising event Photo: Danny Giraudo indirect impact of the COVID-19 sisters, Kyle and his brother Dylan in memory of their father. Fifty of pandemic. both decided to follow in their Kyle’s friends and family took part While we catch our breath from father’s footsteps and enter into a in a sponsored run/walk event the challenges of the last year, career in the fire service thanks in and together totaled 322 miles and we are mindful of the upcoming part to the Daniel A. Terry scholar- raised funds to help support the wildfire season and the likely ship they were able to make their California Fire Foundation. FIREFIGHTERS impacts of another historically dreams become a reality. “It was absolutely amazing to challenging year. As daunting as This integral program awards have friends and family honor my that seems, we are comforted by scholarships to the children of dad in this way. To be able to have your support. It is because of your fallen firefighters allowing each the people I love help to give back IN ACTION generous donations we will again recipient a $2,000 scholarship, to the California Fire Foundation be able to make a difference in the renewable for up to four years, is something I am so grateful for, Firefighting partners and longtime friends (L to lives of those in need and the fire- for a total award package of up to as the foundation has given my R) Engineer/Paramedic, Scott Bassett, Captain, fighters that serve them. $8,000. family so much,” said Kyle Costa- Ken Babcock and Engineer/Paramedic Danny On behalf of our Board of Direc- With the assistance of the magna. Giraudo of Menlo Park Fire District taking a break tors and the California Fire scholarship, Kyle graduated with a We want to hear about all your Foundation staff, thank you for bachelor’s degree from California amazing fundraising events - from fighting the Carr Fire of 2018. We thank you supporting us in our mission, we Polytechnic Institute (Cal Poly) in please email cafirefoundation@ and every one of our brave California firefighters. are eternally grateful. 2013 and later finished paramedic cpf.org