Member News

For the week of 10/13-10/18 all Professional Firefighters in Marin will wear pink uniforms in support of breast cancer awareness and the IAFF's "Passionately Pink for the Cure" program.

Across the United States and Canada, IAFF members will be wearing pink this October — just one of the many ways to show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Fire fighters get involved for many reasons, and often it’s because they have been personally affected by the disease. Fire fighters exposed to carcinogens and other chemicals while on the job are disproportionately diagnosed with breast cancer — just one of many cancers linked to the work fire fighters do.

San Rafel Fire Firefighters have teamed up with the Blood Centers of the Pacific to organize a blood drive at Station 56 on October 20th, 2014 1500-1900 in the apparatus bay.

10 Reasons to Donate Blood

Marin Voice: 9/19/2014

Good pensions are vital to maintaining the middle class 

By Roland M. Katz

Fairfield Fire Department is offering a two-day workshop on the Firefighters Bill of Rights Act (FBOR) and supervision of problem employees. Lunch will be provided.

WHEN: October 22 & 23, 2014

Local 1775 Welcomes 7 new members.  Read the press release from the County of Marin, below.

San Rafael, CA – Seven recruits graduated August 29 from the Marin County Regional Fire Academy, a nine-week course jointly held by the Marin County Fire Department and theSouthern Marin Fire District.

You may not really know about autism unless you know what signs to look for, what to expect and how to handle an individual with autism in an emergency situation. We challenge all firefighters and EMTs to start by testing your knowledge. Visit the website and take the pre-test to see how prepared you are for an emergency interaction with an individual with autism.  Students are able to print their certificates upon completion.

• http://prevent-educate.org/

Dear 1775 Shop Stewards,

The Breast Cancer Awareness Week Committee is gearing up for another successful awareness campaign. We are working on dates in October to sport our pink duty shirts. What I need from you now is how many shirts your department needs for new hires.

Local 1775 receives mention in the IAFF national news.  Many of our memebrs were affected, and many have offered help to those in need, nboth on and off-duty.

After the recent 6.0 earthquake hit Napa, Vallejo, American Canyon and the surrounding areas in California, IAFF members are responding to hundreds of emergency calls. 

Brothers and Sisters.  Please help Ross Valley Fire Department honor the careers of Rick Marshall, Jack Barry, and Brian McCarthy in one eventful evening, November 22, 2014.  Save the date, and check back soon for details.

Anti Worker Forces Drop Pension Grab After Court Decision 

It’s official: An effort to wipe out secure public employee pensions in Ventura County is dead.

Organizers of an initiative that would have eliminated defined benefit pensions have decided not to pursue a court fight to force it onto the November ballot.

Join us for the start hosted by Local 1775 and ride from Sausalito to Half Moon Bay, August 10, 2014.

Ride starts at 9 am at Sausalito Fire Station 1 (333 Johnson Street, Sausalito) and finishes in Half Moon Bay Fire Station 40 (1191 Main St., Half Moon Bay).

Santa Rosa Fire Fighters would like to invite Local 1775 members to join us for a presentation by Workers Compensation Attorney Linda Brown at the Local 1401 office (555 South E St Santa Rosa) on August 20th at 1800.  

The presentation will include an overview of the current state of the Workers Compensation System as well as some best practices for employees who become ill or injured at work.  Refreshments will be provided.  

You’re Invited to an Exclusive Webinar for IAFF Members

The IAFF and Kaplan University have formed a partnership, offering educational discounts to all IAFF Memebrs and Alumni.  To learn more, please join Kaplan University for a webinar discussing your exclusive education benefits as an IAFF member.  

Topics include:

Marty Medin, a fireman and 56-year West Marin resident known for his generosity and knack for fishing, died in Petaluma on July 9. He was 73.

Marty was born in Seattle, Washington, in the early 1940s, to Dorothy Eldred, a Louisiana native who fastened rivets on the assembly line at a Boeing aircraft factory during World War II and later became a longtime chef at Vladimir’s, and Edward Medin, a commercial fisherman, mechanic and contractor. 

A reminder that retirement parties will be held August 2 for Chief Roger Meagor (Ross Valley), and July 31 for Jeff Davidson (Mill Valley).  Download the flyers below for details, and be sure to RSVP to support two of our long-time Fire Chiefs and union brothers.

Flyer: Roger Meagor

When: July 29, 2014 - 5:30 p.m

Where: Hopmonk Tavern, Novato

Seven Local 1775 leaders are currently attnding the 52nd biennial convention of the IAFF in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Attending as Delegates are President Bob Briare, Secretary Todd Lando, and Shop Steward John Bagala (MRW).  Shop Stewards Mario Bernardini, Jr (NOV), Geoff Larkin (NOV), and Mike Tribolet (MRN) are attending as Alternate Delegates.  Political Director Ken Martin (SNR) is attending as a guest.

Delegates to the convention will vote on nearly 40 resolutions, affecting issues such as the rebuilding of the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs, potential per-capita increases to fund new and existing programs, and a variety of critical labor issues affecting firefighters nationwide.

The 11th annual Steven Rucker Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled for September 8, 2014 at the Stone Tree Golf Club in Novato. This event is held to honor Steven Rucker, a Novato firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty on October 29, 2003, battling the Cedar Fire in San Diego County. For the past ten years this event has served as the signature fundraiser raiser for the Novato Fire Foundation, raising more than $250,000.00. Donations received from the tournament have helped the Novato Fire Foundation support the Fire Squirts Camp for at-risk children, an Automated External Defibrillator program, the Steven Rucker scholarships, and various other Foundation sponsored programs.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the Novato Fire Foundation or the golf tournament, please call Keef Kiser at (916) 343-6565; or by email kkiser@novatofire.org.

San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 Present The 8th Annual “Johnny V” Chili Cook-Off To Benefit San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 Toy Program.  Bring Your Best Booth, and Chili!

Saturday, September 20, 2014

In recognition of the 20-year anniversary of the South Canyon Fire accident and the one-year anniversary of the Yarnell Hill Fire accident, IAFF Local 1775 takes this opportunity to ask our members to joing the California fire service in reviewing basic wildland fire safety principles. 

With unprecedented drought conditions, dozens of Local 1775 members currently "out-of-county," and heading into a very hot and dry Fourth of July holiday weekend, a coalition of California Fire Service partners is coming together to announce a Safety Stand Down for July 3, 2014.  The purpose of the Safety Stand Down is to encourage all members of the California Fire Service to take the necessary time to review and discuss critical policies and procedures.

A 3,200 acre fire is burning in a remote area of Napa and Lake counties Wednesday morning, threatening nearly 400 structures after destroying at least five Tuesday.

More than 1,000 firefighters, including dozens from Marin, are assigned to fight the "Butts Fire" from land and air as residents choked from smoke-filled skies and prayed that Tuesday's winds and warm temperatures would give way to cooler weather on Wednesday.

Mill Valley Fire Chief Jeff Davidson is retiring.  A farewell party has been scheduled for Thursday, July 31, 2014.

• 3pm to 5pm – Drop-in Open House
• 5pm to 7pm – Dinner and Informal Program

Mill Valley Fire Station 7 – Public Safety Bldg.

Capital and Main and Huffington Post published an in depth article on the links between Flame Retardants and Firefighter cancers today.  In the article, IAFF Local 1775 Vice President Jamie Byrnes is profiled, linking certain rare brain cancers to flame retardant exposures.  Jamie has fought cancer since 2011, when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor which was determined to be job related.

The following story was reported by Capital and Main and published in collaboration with The Huffington Post June 24, 2014.

Local 1775 was sad to learn of the passing of longtime member, retired Fire Captain and Battalion Chief Tony Bacon of Novato Fire Protection District last week.  A moment of silence was observed in his honor at the Executive Board meeting, and our members express condolences to Tony's family.  Memorial service information is below.

A memorial service for Captain Bacon has been announced by the fire department that he has been working for in Montana.  The service is scheduled for June 28^th, 1100, in Troy, Montana.   All are welcome to attend.  The local department has requested a RSVP from anyone planning on attending.

Recent San Rafael Fire Department Retiree Greg Geide was profiled in the Press Democrat Sunday.

Sometimes a guy just has to get away and be a guy. He may crave a retreat where there are no rules about furniture, color schemes or matching accessories. Leather and vinyl can rule in a “man space;” they forgive all spills.

The Marin Independent Journal profiled Local 1775 member and San Rafael Fire Captain Rob Winner after an amazing one handed catch at yesterday's Giants game.

Marin Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1775, wishes to congratulate our members on their retirements in the past year.  The following brothers and sisters represent decades of leadership and service to our communities and union.  Best wishes for a safe and heatlhy retirement.

• Ron Alves (MRN)
• Jack Barry (RVY)
• Dan Barnes (SNR)
• Keith Cavallero (MRN)
• Paul Crimmins (SNR)
• Joel Chandler (MRN)
• Jeff Connover (SNR)
• Tom Conroy (RVY)
• Steve Davis (SNR)
• Jeff Fazzari (NOV)
• Jim Galli (KNT)
• Greg Geide (SNR)
• Jon Gergus (SOM)
• Gary Hax (SNR)
• Michael Hughes (NOV)
• Paul LeVeque (SNR)
• Darren Lovecchio (SNR)
• Ken Martin (SNR)
• Clint Mason (MLV)
• Brian McCarthy (RVY)
• Gregory McGrath (RVY)
• Roger Meagor (RVY)
• Chris Montalvo (MLV)
• Eric Nickel (NOV)
• Keith Parker (MRN)
• William Schardt (MLV)
• Lauri Thompson (MRN)
• Tim Thompson (MRN)
• Phil Tripp (NOV)
• Chris Wikeen (NOV)

Alumni and Retiree Resources

The Marin Independent Journal recently profiled IAFF Local 1775 member Dave Cornell of the San Rafael Fire Department.  Local 1775 is proud to welcome our brother safely home after hhis third tour in Afghanistan.

Flight medic recovered injured soldiers from the battlefield

San Rafael Firefighter/Paramedic Dave Cornell, 51, has dedicated his life to serving others and recently returned from his third tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Local 1775 Endorsements

Marin Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1775 has made the following endorsements for the June 3, 2014 Primary Election after an extensive candidate interview process, per the Local 1775 PAC Guidlelines, Candidate Interview and Endorsement Policy. 

• State Senate: Mike McGuire
• State Assembly: No endorsement
• Marin Supervisor Dist. 1: No endorsement
• Marin Supervisor Dist. 5: Judy Arnold

CPF Endorsements

After an extensive interview process, California Professional Firefighters has identified a bipartisan list of candidates it believes would be the strongest firefighter choices for statewide office in this June’s Primary Election. The CPF endorsements for the primary were the product of weeks of interviews with dozens of candidates from both sides of the political aisle. 

Firefighters from Marin Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1775 (www.iaff1775.org) collected more than $42,000 from passing motorists at the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association “Fill the Boot” event in Marin County May 14, 2014. Off-duty firefighters asked motorists and pedestrians to drop donations into a firefighter’s boot to support MDA’s Bay Area children and families.  All of the money collected supports local families.

Ross Valley Firefighters collected $17,527 at "The Hub" intersection in San Anselmo, bringing in the highest total for a single intersection.  The final total will be released after individual and online donations are counted.

The California Fire Foundation invites you to join us as we memorialize the sacrifice and dedication of California's fallen heroes at the 12th Annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony on Saturday, October 11, 2014. On this solemn day, we join together to honor and remember those heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice to keep California safe. The ceremony is held at the California Firefighters Memorial located in Capitol Park, Sacramento, CA. Check back here for details regarding speakers and program information.

Every year, uniformed firefighters, family members and dignitaries from throughout California gather together during the California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in historic Capitol Park, adjoining the California State Capitol in Sacramento, to pay tribute to those firefighters who gave their lives to protect the lives and property of Californians. Continuing a solemn and sobering autumn tradition , the sacrifice of hundreds of California firefighters is remembered on the brushed limestone walls of the California Firefighters Memorial at the State Capitol in Sacramento.

Proceeds Benefit the California Fire Foundation

Watch the San Francisco Giants take on the Washington Nationals and show your support for the California Fire Foundation at theFirefighter Appreciation Night at AT&T Park, presented by AAA.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 7:15 PM
AT&T Park
San Francisco, CA

Local 1775 Leaders are attending the biennial CPF convention in Studio City, CA May 13-18, 2014.  Elected Delegates are Bob Briare (President), Todd Lando (Secretary), Tom Moran (Treasurer), John Bagala (MRW), Jason Hatfield (SNR), and Ken Martin (Political Director), with Mike Tribolet (MRN) attending as an alternate delegate.

Convention Information

 Governor Jerry Brown has signed CPF-sponsored legislation easing an arbitrary limit on survivor benefits for the families of firefighters stricken by job-related cancer.

 Governor Jerry Brown has signed CPF-sponsored legislation easing an arbitrary limit on survivor benefits for the families of firefighters stricken by job-related cancer.

A new "Member Associations" page has been added to the Local 1775 Memebrs page, at members.iaff1775.org/resources/member-associations.  You'll find it in the menu, under "Resources."

We are just 66 days away before the IAFF arrives in Cincinnati, Ohio, for its biennial Convention July 14-18.

Approximately 2,500 delegates are expected to travel to Cincinnati for the Convention to chart the course of the IAFF over the next two years, as well as help the local economy. The Cincinnati Business Courier reported the Convention could bring upwards to $2.6 million to the City. 

The 2014 North Bay Firefighters Burn Relay will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2014.To add your station or rig to the North Bay Relay, please contact Matt DaCunha at mvdacunha@gmail.comIf you have questions about the North Bay Relay or want to volunteer, pleae contact Sarah Elsner, selsner@aarbf.org

2014 San Francisco to Los Angeles Firefighter Cancer Awareness Ride

Note: We will be concluding our ride at the opening ceremonies of the “World Firefighter Games” at the Los Angeles Convention Center on August 15, 2014. These games are a biennial celebration that unites full time career Firefighters, part time and volunteer Firefighters; Wildland firefighters; Fire Chiefs; Emergency Service workers; Ambulance personnel; Paramedics; Military and Aviation Firefighters, Petro-chemical Firefighters, Support services personnel - along with their direct family members. Since the Games started over a quarter of a million competitors from around the world have taken part.

What is your local doing to raise awareness about vehicle arsons in your community?

Over the last decade, an average of 14,737 vehicle arsons have been reported, accounting for 26.5 percent of total arson fires annually.

CPF President Lou Paulson and PORAC President Mike Durant forcefully respond to an odious Sacramento Bee editorial, which attacked police and fire death benefits on the day of the Peace Officers Memorial Ceremony in Sacramento. 

Time Magazine made a splash recently with the release of its 100 most influential people in the world - a list that also includes the billionaire Koch Brothers. 

The brothers, David and Charles, who are enemies to workers everywhere, are featured as titans of business.

Recently there has been an increase in the number of solicitations from private grant writers and grant writing companies looking to establish grant writing services for fire departments.  These solicitations are often in the form of an email, cold call, or attendance at a conference or other event.  While there is nothing preventing a grant company from contacting you or members of your department (and perhaps there may be something to gain), there are many considerations when hiring any outside vendor that will provide services for your department. 

The first question should be whether your department needs to hire a grant writer.  Researching and writing grants is time consuming and requires some level of research and writing skills.  Experience with grants and grant writing can make the odds better for landing a grant, but that shouldn’t scare you off, as much of the research needed is already familiar to department members, and comes in the form of department annual reports, strategic plans, NFIRS data, CAD data, etc.  

Fire fighters are being exposed to toxins and diagnosed with cancer in high numbers, but representatives of the chemical industry want you to think otherwise.

There is significant scientific evidence that demonstrates fire fighters have higher incidents of cancer compared to other occupational illnesses. These studies clearly indicate that such cancers are related to the job of fire-fighting. In fact, contrary to the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) distortion of the facts and science, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in its most recent report, reinforced this grim fact and supported the link between the exposures to toxins that fire fighters face with the increased risk of occupational cancers.

 It is with a great deal of sorrow that IAFF Local 1014 announces that Fire Fighter Specialist Darrell Rice, Fire Prevention Division, Petroleum Chemical Unitpassed away Tuesday April 22nd, 2014.

It is with a great deal of sorrow that IAFF Local 1014 announces that Fire Fighter Specialist Darrell Rice, Fire Prevention Division, Petroleum Chemical Unit passed away Tuesday April 22nd, 2014.

Right to Work should be called the ‘right to divide’ as legislation continues to be pushed in Missouri.

The Missouri House of Representatives agreed upon language and are now waiting on a handful of lawmakers to bring it to a final vote.

The American Legislative Exchange Council is at it again.  Late last week, the shadowy organization released its annual publication “Rich States Poor States” billed as a way to “identify the states that have policies that can lead a state to economic prosperity and those that are stuck on the path to a lackluster economy.”

The report also says it measures how each state can expect to perform economically based on 15 policy areas that have proven to determine economic success.

It has come to the IAFF’s attention that several bills are now appearing in state legislatures relating to the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (Community Paramedic) and EMS.  Some provisions in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) set up opportunities for EMS providers to participate in delivering various aspects of healthcare outside the hospital in an effort to cut overall cost of care.  For example, EMS personnel may be involved in follow-up services with patients once they have been discharged from the hospital to assure the patient is compliant with prescription regime and post wound care. 

Under the ACA, key objectives are to decrease the number of uninsured while increasing quality of care.  Over the years, fire-based EMS has undergone changes that have effectively broadened the work of EMTs and paramedics to meet the needs that previously were not provided or provided in other arenas. But in today’s environment of increased responsibilities and decreasing budgets, fire department leaders must constantly evaluate and justify current systems and be prepared to propose changes to protect the quality of publicly funded fire-based EMS systems and add value to services provided to the community.

The ACA is the latest driver of these changes, causing fire departments to rethink how EMS services and perhaps mobile integrated healthcare (or community paramedic services) will be delivered and how to remain economically viable. Fire-based community paramedicine is a concept that could change existing EMS systems by coordinating with other health care providers to improve patient care, reduce expenses and be self-sustaining.

The IAFF is involved and is monitoring the political debate in state legislatures and encourages our affiliates to do the same.

For more information, read the fall 2013 edition of the Fire Fighter Quarterly’s “Answering the Call for Change” or contact the Fire/EMS Operations and GIS Department at (202) 737-8484.

S.A.V.E. -- CPF's California Fire Foundation has launched the Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) program. The program allows firefighters at the scene of destructive events to provide victims with a gift card to help get them back on their feet. 

It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Assistant Chief Renny E. LeRoy of IAFF Local 2881 - CDF Fire Fighters, Sacramento. Brother LeRoy, 60, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2014 from pancreatic cancer.

Benefit Golf Tournament for Widows, Widowers and Orphans

San Geronimo Golf Club
5800 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
San Geronimo

Donations and heartfelt sympathies have been pouring in for the families of two fallen Boston Local 718 members who died in the nine alarm Beacon Street fire. As people continue to pay their respects, there are multiple online scammers ready and willing to take advantage of those who are genuine and want to offer their support during this difficult time.

The Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and Boston Fire Local 718 are warning the public via social media about those groups who are trying to make a “quick buck” off of last week’s fire tragedy.

One disgraceful group is the Boston’s Fallen Fireman Fundraiser. The group says it is collecting proceeds from T-shirt sales that will be given to the families of Lt. Edward J. Walsh and fire fighter Michael Kennedy. In its advertisement, the scammers stole the logo from the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts website. Ironically, the group can’t even spell fundraiser correctly on its own promotion!

It is easy to sit back and set up a bogus (501c3) organization and collect money online in the good name of fire fighters who take an oath to serve the citizens of their communities with compassion, courage and integrity.

Fire fighters are willing to give you the shirts off their backs -- that is if you really want a fire T-shirt that badly you can stop by any fire station.

We find the acts of those who are trying to take advantage of fire fighters in the wake of a tragedy immoral and deceitful. The families who have lost their loved ones don’t need to deal with individuals trying to get rich off their pain.

Please be advised that there is only one official Memorial Fund for the Walsh and Kennedy families through the Boston Firefighters Credit Union. One hundred percent of donations will be given to the families through this fund. You can make a donation here: https://www.bosfirecu.com/

In the future, if you have questions on whether an organization is legitimate, please look them up on the Charity Navigator website.

Camp Pendleton Professional Firefighters #F-85 member William Walsh grew up with his cousin, Edward Walsh, in the Boston suburb of Watertown. Edward Walsh, 43, died last week in as nine-alarm blaze along with fellow Boston Fire Fighters Local 718 member Michael Kennedy. The Walsh men come from a firefighting family.

Aurora, CO fire fighters are grateful the City Council wisely postponed a decision that would have wrongfully changed the disciplinary appeals process for first responders.

Although pleased with the victory, fire fighters aren’t sitting still. They are continuing to educate members of the Aurora City Council and news media on why the initiative should not be brought up again.

The 11-member Aurora City Council backed off the proposal after hearing from concerned first responders on how they thought the appeals process would be harmed by the proposed measure.

Dan Pollet, vice president of Aurora Local 1290, told Denver Fox 31 that it’s important for fire fighters to have a level playing field. The proposed initiative would have caused Aurora members to operate under a theory of being “guilty until proven innocent” in cases brought up before the city’s Civil Service Commission. In every city in America, the burden of proof is on the city to prove disciplinary charges are appropriate.  The now tabled proposal would have shifted the burden to our members – forcing them to prove that discipline was inappropriate in civil cases.

Aurora Local 1290 also believed fire recruiting and retention would have negatively been affected because of the potential difficulty in defending the charges that could have been brought against members.

The Aurora City Council made a responsible decision to table the legislation because the proposal was un-American, over-reaching and unconstitutional.

Aurora members are looking to the future and working with members of the Aurora City Council on issues that will make the community safe.

You can see more news coverage of the issue here.

You can also read more on the issue on the IAFF’s Frontline Blog.

More than 40 California State Legislators and staff members participated in the California Professional Firefighters Fire Ops 101 training session March 5 on the west steps of the Capitol and got a chance to take some heat.

Battalion Chief Tim Thompson Is retiring and his final shift is fast approaching. Please join the B Shift Woodacre Crew for lunch Friday March 28, 2014 Noon in Woodacre.

RSVP By 3/24 to Phoenicia 415-473-2631 or Kellie 415-473-2731.

We’ve all heard of the Bridge Gate scandal in New Jersey where top Chris Christie staffers closed the George Washington Bridge in alleged political retaliation from the governor. But more attention should be focused on a scandal that’s hurting New Jersey retirees’ pensions.

We all know that Christie is no friend to unions and has publicly bullied public workers in efforts to gain more power. He has tried to increase the retirement age of workers, cut benefits and make employees pay more into state plans.  What’s more egregious is that he has quietly steered the money of New Jersey workers to be managed by friends and billionaires who have boosted his political career.

New Jersey now has the second-largest allocation in the country of state retiree money being managed by hedge funds with estimates of outside money managers earning at least $1.2 billion in management and performance fees.

One of those benefiting is New York billionaire Dan Loeb, who ranks 974th on Forbes Magazine’s list of the world’s richest billionaires. Loeb’s fortune is estimated at $1.5 billion. He also ranks as one of the worst offenders for selling out public workers – soliciting the retirement money of public workers and then lobbying for the same workers to lose their benefits. In New Jersey, Loeb’s fund collected nearly $5.2 million in fees. Loeb and other billionaire financiers were a part of a group that urged Christie to run for president of the United States.

Meantime, while the rich get richer -- workers get poorer. Last year, the New Jersey pension program delivered a return of 11.79 percent – lower than the pension median of 16.1 percent.

 It is with deepest regret that the Briceland Volunteer Fire Department announces the passing of Briceland Fire Chief Tim Olsen.

On March 24, 2014, the 11-member City Council in Aurora, Colorado will be taking up an initiative on the November ballot that would change the disciplinary appeals process so that fire fighters would be considered “guilty until proven innocent.”

If you think that this initiative being pushed by some on the Council is over the top and is in direct conflict with provisions set forth in the United States Constitution regarding due process, then you agree with Aurora Local 1290 and just about every other American citizen.

A Santa Clara County Superior Court judge has declared unconstitutional the City of San Jose’s attempt to increase employee pension contributions and reduce retirement benefits because this would unconstitutionally impair employees’ contractual rights under the “vested rights doctrine.”  Judge Patricia M. Lucas’s tentative decision, if made final, would invalidate the key components of “Measure B,” which was put before the San Jose electorate by San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed in a politically-motivated attack on public employees.  The lead plaintiff, the San Jose Police Officers Association, is represented by Carroll, Burdick & McDonough.  Labor Partner Gregg Adam was assisted by Appellate Partner Gonzalo Martinez and Labor Associate Amber West.

The court ruled that the City of San Jose cannot impair the vested rights of its employees based on “reservation of rights” language in the City Charter.  It further ruled against the City’s attempt to saddle employees with the costs of its unfunded pension liabilities, striking language that would have required employees to contribute to the unfunded liability of the City’s general pension fund.  The judge also ruled in the employees’ favor in the protection of Cost of Living Adjustments.  In addition, she ruled against the City’s attempt to force employees to pay more for their current pension plan or be forced into one with more limited benefits. 

Ballot Measure San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed’s 2014 statewide pension reform initiative suffered what seems to be a fatal blow for this year. This afternoon, a Sacramento County trial court rejected a lawsuit challenging the wording that the Attorney General, Kamala Harris, used in the state’s required, official summary of the measure.

Reed and four other California mayors behind the initiative argued that the first sentence in Harris’ summary was misleading in that it told voters the measure would “eliminate constitutional protections” for public workers, “including teachers, nurses and peace officers.” But the very word objected to – “eliminate” – is exactly how Reed has publicly described the effect of the measure on vested rights. Despite the weakness of his arguments, Reed pushed forward, seeking rewording of the measure’s summary. He also objected to the summary naming the largest groups that could be impacted: peace officers, nurses, and teachers.

CARROLL BURDICK LABOR ATTORNEYS NAMED TOP ATTORNEYS

A big congratulations to Labor Partners Gregg Adam, Gary Messing, Jason Jasmine, Jonathan Yank and Labor Associate Jennifer Stoughton for being recognized as top attorneys within their field.

As companies continue to flee the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the shadowy organization is searching for new sources of revenue.

According to this Guardian report, ALEC plans to target city and local governments for potential new revenue streams in efforts to replicate its influence within state legislatures.

California firefighters now have a forceful advocate on EMS issues as CPF Secretary-Treasurer Lew Stone has been sworn in as the new chair of California's Emergency Medical Services Commission.  

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed has officially suspended efforts to place a pension-change measure on the November ballot, but he also plans to come back with another proposal in 2016. What do you think? Take this poll from The Sacramento Bee.

A Sacramento judge has rejected San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed's effort to rewrite the attorney general's ballot description of his pension-slashing initiative. The ruling virtually assures it will not be on the ballot in 2014. 

Welding is being investigated as the cause of a five-alarm fire that started Tuesday night in San Francisco. Two San Francisco Fire Department firefighters suffered minor injuries battling the blaze at an apartment complex under construction in the city's Mission Bay neighborhood. Half of the city's on-duty firefighters were on the scene within an hour of the initial alarm sounding.

13th Annual Ron Thomas Memorial AAPMTF Benefit Golf Tournament -- 4 Person Scramble

The tournament will be held Friday May 23rd, 2014 at San Geronimo Valley Golf Course in San Geronimo, CA.

The IAFF has been made aware of individuals claiming to represent the best interests of fire fighters. However, in the past these same individuals have failed to pass on their charitable solicitations to the groups they were intended to benefit.

Ralph and Barbara Mroz operate the “Foundation for First Responders and Firefighters” and the "Firefighters Support Foundation." The organization describes itself as a 501©(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization dedicated to assisting fire fighters and rescue personnel perform their jobs effectively and safely through free training. The group says it also tries to mitigate the causes and effects of life-threatening on-scene dangers with equipment grants to under-funded agencies and through assistance to families with children of fallen fire fighters. They perform fundraising efforts across the United States.

Right to Work efforts have been dropped in Oregon after the state’s governor announced plans for tax reform.

Anti-union forces targeted Oregon in hopes of getting a ballot initiative before voters in November.

More than 40 California State Legislators and staff members participated in the California Professional Firefighters Fire Ops 101 training session March 5 on the west steps of the Capitol and got a chance to take some heat, albeit not from their constituents.

WHO: California Fire Foundation
WHAT: California Fire Foundation LA Fundraising Gala
WHERE: Sheraton Universal Hotel, 333 Universal Hollywood Dr, Universal City, CA 91608
WHEN: May 15, 2014

Outside interests are gathering to press their attacks on firefighter pensions after initial defeats and the anti-pension forces have stepped up efforts on the local level. It's a Wall Street battle against public employees.

California Governor Jerry Brown sent a letter in support of Checkoff CA Month to express his appreciation for those who promote Checkoff CA and the generous taxpayers who donate to worthy causes on the CA Income Tax Form through this program.

If you are a Comcast or Time Warner subscriber then you should be aware of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).

Comcast and Time Warner are funders of ALEC, a Washington, DC-based politically ultra-conservative non-profit that thrives on operating in the shadows of American government to push anti-worker, anti-union legislation in statehouses across the country. Founded in 1973, ALEC supports free market principles and courts financial support from various foundations, including those controlled by the billionaire Koch Brothers.

Judi Cutaia, a former Davis fire captain, retired three years before having enough service time to receive a maximum retirement. Attacks on pensions are prodding workers into thinking about leaving sooner with the benefits they have, she said, rather than risking reduced benefits or paying more and more toward them.

United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 President Frank Lima says high overtime costs for the Los Angeles Fire Department stem from LAFD's failure to hire firefighters over the last five years.

United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 President Frank Lima says high overtime costs for the Los Angeles Fire Department stem from LAFD's failure to hire firefighters over the last five years.

If you’ve been following the Koch Brothers and their attempts to push legislation that is harmful to workers and their wages, you may know they are not alone in their efforts to shape politics and policies in their own best interests to the detriment of public workers.

The biggest political fights are happening in state legislatures across the country. In Michigan, for example, how do you think right to work was passed? The effort was well coordinated, organized and financed by the wealthy Devos family. For years, the family bided its time before striking in 2012 to get right to work legislation passed, and helped formulate a political strategy – blitzing the media, crafting talking points to lawmakers (including Governor Rick Snyder who recited points verbatim) and kept protesters away from the Michigan state Capitol.

Enron billionaire John Arnold doesn’t have PBS to push his anti- worker pension message anymore. Amid strong public criticism, PBS says it has returned a multi-million dollar donation to the John and Laura Arnold Foundation putting the news series “Pension Peril” on hiatus. Hundreds of PBS stations across the country aired “Pension Peril,” that echoes the same pension cutting themes that the Arnold Foundation is promoting legislatively which advocates cutting retirement benefits to fire fighters, police, teachers and other public workers. The Arnolds financed the series for $3.5 million without it being disclosed to PBS viewers.

PBS ombudsman says the decision to return the donation was a positive development. 
 “One is that the decision to accept a grant of $3.5 million from the Arnold Foundation, with a stated interest in "public employee benefits reform," flunks PBS's own "perception test," which is part of the service's Funding Standards and Practices.”

An Oceanside couple whose premature baby was saved by two Oceanside firefighter-paramedics has found a unique way to pay tribute to their child's rescuers. The two middle names of little Zavier Morgan Stephan Pestana honor the Local 3736 members who saved him.

An Oceanside couple whose premature baby was saved by two Oceanside firefighter-paramedics has found a unique way to pay tribute to their child's rescuers. The two middle names of little Zavier Morgan Stephan Pestana honor the Local 3736 members who saved him.