What's on Your Mind?
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Volume 22 | No. 4 Fourth Quarter 2013 California Professional Firefighters WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? CPF members have definite ideas about their profession, their union and their futures fter more than half a decade of budget cuts and eco- nomic distress, the “Great Recession” seems finally to be receding. State and local coffers are slowly refilling, laid-off firefighters are finding work and the rush to Aclose or brown-out stations seems to be easing. The depth of the economic crisis has left its mark on California and firefighters are far from immune from its effects. More than ever, first responders have been the targets of unfair attacks on the pay and secure benefits they’ve earned. CPF members find themselves in political battles to protect basic rights, such as last year’s success- ful fight against Proposition 32. Additionaly, all of this is taking place as a new generation takes the reins and new technologies reign. The impact of recent upheaval, and the dizzying pace of change prompted CPF to check in on its 30,000 members to find out what was important to them. In a series of focus groups and a statewide telephone survey of members conducted this past summer by respected pollster David Binder, CPF members chimed in on the job, their union, the issues and the future. Their answers will help CPF and its affiliates chart a course that reflects the priorities of the men and women they serve. Continued on page 4 PRESIDENT’S CPF 75TH MEMORIAL CFFJAC PERSPECTIVE ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY CONFERENCE Page 3 Page 10 Page 12 Page 22 niv An ersary LETTERS TO THE PRESIDENT Congratulations on being named our members’ health, safety and over- CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL a Labor Hero Honoree at the UC all well-being. Our members depend Berkeley Center for Labor Research on us and we must see to it that their and Education’s 50th Anniversary rights and safety are never compro- I just wanted to say thank you for the Celebration. On behalf of the Unit- mised. beautiful ceremony you put together. ed Firefighters of Los Angeles City UFLAC is proud to be a member I have never been to a memorial like (UFLAC) Local 112, we commend of California Professional Firefighters that, I have nothing to compare it to! you on your dedication to serving the and we will continue to work hand- But I believe my standards of such a needs of the brave men and women in-hand with you to protect the brave ceremony will be high, as nothing will who selflessly protect lives and public men and women who put their lives be able stand up to it! My husband safety. at risk on a daily basis. Keep up the who is retired from the Navy has been The 30,000 firefighters and para- great work and please do not hesitate an Honor Guard for more memorials medics that California Professional to contact me at any time. than I can count, as well as my aunt Firefighters proudly represents are and her friend (both retired Shasta fortunate to have you advocate on Frank Lima, President, County Sheriffs) and they have said their behalf. It is crucial to continue United Firefighters of Los Angeles they have never seen anything so well to work hard to promote and protect City Local 112 put together! This has to be one of the I want to thank each of you for al- most beautiful memorials! I just want lowing me the opportunity to pho- to tell you and everyone who has been tograph what was one of the most a part of this process, thank you from poignant events I have ever attended. On behalf of the Sacramento Met- ramento Area Firefighters Local 522 the bottom of my heart! This was such an amazing experience ropolitan Fire District, the Board of with respect to employer-provided and I will never forget the day. You Directors and members of the Sacra- retiree healthcare contributions. Liz Prince all did such an amazing job and you mento Area Firefighters Local 522, We are proud to have partners like deserve tremendous credit for pulling I would like to extend our sincere you working with us for the better- off a beautifully orchestrated tribute. appreciation for your part in author- ment of the fire service. If any of you should ever need any ing and guiding AB 1346 through If there is anything I can do for you photographic assistance from my neck the legislature and to the Governor’s in the future, please don’t hesitate to of the woods, please do not hesitate to desk. ask. Again, thank you for your assis- call on me as it would be my honor to As you know, this legislation was tance in this important legislation. contribute in any way I can. critical to the vesting schedule to PEMHCA, which reflects the terms Kurt P. Henke, Fire Chief, Craig Rose, of the collective bargaining agree- Sacramento Metropolitan San Jose Fire Photographer ment between the District and Sac- Fire District CPF HONORED WITH IAFF MEDIA AWARDS alifornia Professional Firefight- Also recognized with first place hon- ers’ groundbreaking member and ors in the “Special Project” category public communications have a was Uncommon Courage, the stunning Cfew more awards on the trophy commemorative book marking the 10th shelf. Most recently, CPF’s efforts were anniversary of the California Firefighters A moving recognized by the IAFF with its 2013 Memorial. The volume tracked the tribute Media Awards. CPF came out on top at decade-long trek to make the Memorial to fallen this year’s IAFF Media Awards, receiv- a reality and its impact on the profession heroes, ing awards for all four of the entries since its unveiling in 2002. Uncommon submitted. “We are tremendously proud of the Courage The IAFF’s Media Awards – an annual quality of all of our publications and was honored contest honoring CPF affiliates for their various media that we provide for our with the work communicating with the public and members. It’s an honor to be recognized by 2013 IAFF its members – has again honored CPF with our peers, our fellow firefighters across the Media awards in all four of its entry categories. U.S. and Canada for our communications Award Topping the award chart in 2013 is the efforts,” said CPF President Lou Paulson. California Professional Firefighter, CPF’s In addition to its two winning entries, official quarterly publication, which was CPF also won 2nd Place for its website, honors for its “No on Prop. 32” member part of our success in defeating Prop. 32," named best print publication among www.cpf.org. The CPF site is a consis- outreach campaign – a soup-to-nuts said CPF President Lou Paulson. “These unions with circulation above 1,000 tent winner in this category, logging outreach program that helped produce a awards really go to show the hard work members. Independent judges credited upwards of 20,000 visits a month. It was muscular turnout against Prop. 32. our staff puts in for our members and the the engaging content and easy-to-read described as “an information hub about “CPF’s communication efforts prior to high quality products that result from format and layout. the firefighting profession. CPF also won and during the election were an integral their dedication.” 2 FOURTH QUARTER | VOLUME 22 NO. 4 CALIFORNIA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE A Legacy of LEADERSHIP A Future of PROMISE Lou Paulson his year, Califor- presumption laws to the Firefighters Bill To this day, CPF’s leadership continues public pensions, CPF remains “Always nia Professional of Rights. to leave its mark on the labor movement Vigilant,” standing ready to confront the Firefighters marks During the first half of the 20th as a whole, most recently with 2012’s suc- challenges ahead. its 75th year of Century, joining a union was a danger- cessful campaign to defeat Proposition 32. Just like our predecessors, we are con- commitment to ous thing to do. When the Federated Fire CPF took the lead in the fight against stantly defending our rights and preparing making life bet- Fighters of California was char- ter for firefighters, tered as the IAFF State Council their families and in 1938, there were only seven their communities. Since its inception, active IAFF local unions in the CPF has been a steady, unifying force state. After its first three decades Thelping to advance firefighter rights and of existence, the number of local benefits. affiliates increased to thirty and In October of 1938, the United was at the forefront of a signature States was still in the midst of the event in the history of labor in Great Depression and headed toward a California—the right to organize world war. That same month, the Fed- and collectively bargain. In 1959, erated Fire Fighters of California was FFFC helped to pass Assembly established as the State Council for the Bill 618, which was the first stat- International Association of Fire Fight- ute in California to explicitly ers (IAFF). Its mission: make life better recognize the right of any group for California firefighters and their fam- of public employees to organize. ilies. Over the next three generations, Since then, CPF has contin- that same organization – now known ued to expand its leadership in as California Professional Firefighters the state, becoming an influential – has held true to that mission. In the force in the State Capitol. In 1982, process, CPF has become one of the most Governor Jerry Brown signed innovative and influential labor organi- CPF-backed AB 3011 into law, zations in the nation.