C a l i f o r n i a Professional Firefighters State Council of the International Association of Fire Fighters • California Labor Federation • AFL-CIO Volume 18 No. 1 First Quarter 2010 Standing Up againSt New FF Presumption Bill BuildsCan on CPF LegacyC of Leadershiper irefighters take the job knowing employers provide appropriate disability has been a central focus of California that the next major fire call could and workers’ compensation benefits to Professional Firefighters. CPF sponsored put their lives at risk. But there first responders, who become ill or die the nation’s first firefighter cancer Fis another, silent, threat to which first as a result of specified job-contracted presumption law, signed in 1982 by then- responders are exposed every day: the illnesses or injuries. Employers can only Gov. Jerry Brown. Over the years, CPF has slow-motion risk of job-related cancer. deny coverage if they can conclusively won additional presumptions for heart, prove that the illness or injury is not job TB, meningitis, biochemical exposure For three decades, California Professional related. and, most recently, MRSA. Firefighters has led the fight to recognize the increased job-related risks faced “From the beginning, presumption laws The new proposal, which is working its by first responders, beginning with the have protected firefighters and families way through the Legislature, is named for nation’s first cancer presumption law, victimized by job-related illness,” said the late CPF Secretary-Treasurer Dallas signed in 1982 by Jerry Brown. Paulson. “Instead of the firefighter having Jones. A giant of the firefighter labor to prove that the illness is job related, movement, Jones lost his own battle with This year, that legacy continues with management has to prove that it isn’t.” job-related cancer in 2008. the introduction of AB 2253, the Late Secretary-Treasurer William Dallas Jones Memorial Cancer Every year, the California Firefighters Keep track of AB 2253, and all of CPF’s Presumption Act of 2010. Dallas Jones Memorial adds the names of anywhere priority legislation, by checking the “Issues from 10 to 30 firefighters who have lost and Legislation” section at www.cpf.org. “As firefighters, we know that even a their lives to cancer contracted on the single incident, or a seemingly minor AB 2253, authored by Assemblyman job. Usually, it is the result of consistent FREE VIDEO! call, can produce exposures that could, Joe Coto (D-San Jose), protects exposure to carcinogenic chemicals Take a photo of this icon to see ultimately, claim our lives,” said CPF firefighters’ cancer presumption for up over the course of a career. In some our CPF Firevision video story President Lou Paulson. “This legislation to 15 years after his or her retirement. cases, a single incident can produce the about how CPF sponsored the will help protect the family of every The current statute of limitations only exposure that triggers job-related illness. nation’s first cancer presumption firefighter whose life may be cut short by extends to five years after retirement. law for firefighters. these silent killers.” Firefighter presumption laws require that Building solid protection for firefighters The first workers’ comp presumption laws in California were passed in the 1930s, and covered hernia, Th DC REE E aDEs oF PRogREss pneumonia and “heart trouble.” However, it has been in the last 30 years that California firefighters CPF’s Firefighter Presumption Legislation have enjoyed the full protection of firefighter presumption laws. CPF introduces William AB 3011, the nation’s CPF legislation Tuberculosis Meningitis, Hepatitis Blood-borne Biochemical AB 2754 (Bass) Dallas Jones Cancer first cancer presumption explicitly shifts burden presumption presumptions pathogen presumption exposure presumption establishes MRSA Presumption Act to extend law (signed by then-Gov. of proof enacted enacted enacted enacted presumption statute of limitations on Jerry Brown) to employer cancer presumption 1982 1996 1999 2000 2002 2003 2009 2010 In this issue: President’s Perspective . 3 Legislative Update . 6 CPF Endorsements . .9 PSP Sacramento, CA Sacramento, Sacramento, CA 95833 CA Sacramento, PAID District Reports . 14 1780 Creekside Oaks, Suite 200 Suite Oaks, Creekside 1780 U.S. Postage U.S. irefighters irefighters F Professional California Non-Profit Org. Non-Profit Lr CA iFo NiA ProFessioNAL FireFighters Letters to the Firefighters stay Informed with CPF President Firevision t hanks from Photo Contest Winner Appreciation for the Pipes and Drums I want to thank you and your staff for selecting one of my images for the On behalf of the family of Richard first place award for the CPF Photo “Chip” Smith, and the Ontario Fire Contest. I have already put the money Department, I’d like to thank you for the to good use, helping to restore CPF Pipes and Drums participation at a radio repeater that emergency Batallion Chief Smith’s Memorial Service photographers use in Southern on Saturday, February 27th. As you California as well as fixing several know, this service had to come together pieces of photographic equipment in a short period of time, and your that I damaged on the Station team’s responsiveness was remarkable. wildfire. We estimated that over 900 persons I am glad that many of the images attended Chip’s service. The Pipes that I submitted to you can be used and Drums portion was nothing short to further our great profession and of incredible. Over and over again, I to promote our motto of “Honor, heard attendees speak of the heartfelt Respect and Devotion to Duty.” The emotions generated by the sounds of Firefighters are getting more news “CPF Firevision is great. The episodes fire service is coming under attack Pipes and Drums. that matter to them in minutes, are short, but provide an accessible with huge budget shortfalls and I courtesy of CPF Firevision. way for us to reach our members and let them know what their union hope that the compelling images can Rest assured that Chip’s wife Since CPF Firevision launched in is doing,” said Contra Costa County be used to fire back at people who Amanda, and his daughters Colleen January, the online news service Fire Captain Pete Marshall, whose want to downsize our most noble and Shannon, will remember the has reported on issues affecting our local has begun sending these video profession. performance that day forever. Thanks profession, like the re-introduction of links to its members. “I tell folks that again for your assistance, and please the Emergency Response Initiative, if they want to learn about their As you may know, I am continuing pass on our appreciation to your Pipes the California Firefighters Memorial profession, here’s a way to do it. It Ceremony and pension-slashing just makes sense.” to publish Southern California and Drums Band. measures. The work of locals has Fire Journal and am working on a also been spotlighted ranging from Do you have a story idea for a future documentary regarding the Station Sincerely, Alameda County’s Fire Ops to LA episode of CPF Firevision? Email us wildfire. It has been a long and County Firefighters’ relief work in at [email protected]. Watch tedious task but I am finally making David A. Carrier Haiti. One groundbreaking episode the latest CPF Firevision or view past progress and your award money Fire Chief was dedicated entirely to the 2010 episodes at www.cpffirevision.org. pension fight. helped to alleviate some serious City of Ontario Fire Department financial burdens that I have. n n n Each video update averages only five minutes and can be viewed WATCH IT! Please extend my most sincere thank on a computer or cell phone. Free A tribute to Jim Perry Take a photo of this icon to you to all of your wonderful staff and downloads are available on the CPF watch the latest CPF Firevision let them know that I am truly honored Web site, YouTube, iTunes, Facebook episode or catch up on Thank you for your financial assistance, and Twitter. A new episode is posted that you selected one of my images previous episodes. as well as for your moral support with the second and fourth Wednesday for the award. I will continue to strive Jim Perry’s memorials. of every month. to photograph as much as possible next year as long as my health and We lost a dear friend and labor brother finances hold up. and these memorials were a fitting tribute to a great man. Thanks again! POINT AND SHOOT! Sincerely, Fraternally, Throughout this issue, you’ll find these Brian hishinuma colorful Microsoft Tag barcodes. Use your Jeff Zimmerman Treasurer smartphone to snap a photo of any tag and Firefighter and founder of Zimmerman United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, you’ll gain instant access to related videos, Media LLC Local 112 Web sites and more! To start, download the free Tag reader at http://gettag.mobi. n n n n n n VoLuMe 18 No. 1 2 First QuArter 2010 Lr CA iFo NiA ProFessioNAL FireFighters President’s Perspective Lou Paulson Why Do We eNDorse? with local affiliates, and it is their recommendations that guide our In making endorsements in statewide endorsement decisions. s tanding Tall … standing races, CPF is simply providing our members with information about As you’ll find, our recommended the candidates that stand with us on candidates include Democrats and Together those issues that are relevant to the Republicans, from the most liberal lives and well-being of our members to the most conservative. We back – public safety resources, retirement up those recommendations with the security, employee rights, training promise we give all of our candidates: orty years ago, this past April most important and difficult election and protecting the families of fallen We stand with those who stand with us.