More than 70 members of Marin Co. Firefighters Local 1775 -- clad in red local T-shirts -- "walked the talk" Tuesday night, joining labor partners in sinking a plan by the Marin Co. Board of Supervisors to back Chuck Reed's anti-pension ballot initiative.
The California Fire Foundation has an easy way for you to designate all or a portion of your California tax refund to the expansion and upkeep of the California Firefighters Memorial. Just check off Line 406 on your tax return.
More than 70 members of Marin Co. Firefighters Local 1775 -- clad in red local T-shirts -- "walked the talk" Tuesday night, joining labor partners in sinking a plan by the Marin Co. Board of Supervisors to back Chuck Reed's anti-pension ballot initiative.
It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Firefighter Clyde Watarai of IAFF Local 798 - San Francisco. Brother Watarai, 57, passed away on Feb. 5, 2014 from job-related lung cancer.
Job-related cancer has claimed the lives of two San Francisco Fire Department firefighters in the past eight days. Burning household toxins are to blame, say several department and union officials.
Santa Clara supervisors may impose sanctions against Chuck Reed’s San Jose for slow response times caused by staffing, equipment shortages.
It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Lieutenant John G. Murphy of IAFF Local 798 - San Francisco. Brother Murphy, 49, passed away on Jan. 28, 2014 from job-related cancer.
The latest issue of our award-winning newspaper includes stories about what firefighters think about their profession, CPF's international media awards, the California Firefighters 2013 Memorial ceremony, California's groundbreaking cancer presumption law and much more.
This opinion piece from PublicCEO.com takes San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed to task for using the word "eliminate' in his own ballot measure description. So why is he suing Attorney Governor Harris for using the same word in describing his proposal to end the vested benefit rights of public employees?
This opinion piece from PublicCEO.com takes San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed to task for using the word "eliminate' in his own ballot measure description. So why is he suing Attorney Governor Harris for using the same word in describing his proposal to end the vested benefit rights of public employees?
Pension-slashing proponents go after Attorney General Harris on ballot summary for proposed Reed initiative.
Legislation allowing Californians to continue honoring the memory – and helping the surviving families – of fallen public safety officers was introduced earlier today in the California Assembly. Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez is authoring AB 1561 to extend the sunset date of the state’s voluntary personal income tax check-offs for the California Firefighters Memorial Fund.
Legislation allowing Californians to continue honoring the memory – and helping the surviving families – of fallen public safety officers was introduced earlier today in the California Assembly. Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez is authoring AB 1561 to extend the sunset date of the state’s voluntary personal income tax check-offs for the California Firefighters Memorial Fund.
Previewing a new Terrorism Consequence Management training program from the CFFJAC designed to get fire and law enforcement working together to save lives during a violent incident.
Today, the United States Supreme Court heard oral argument in Harris v. Quinn.The case itself concerns homecare workers in Illinois who are considered state employees under that state’s collective bargaining laws.More broadly, Harris has the potential to significantly change the manner in which agency fees can be administered by labor unions throughout the country, including here in California. As we previously explained, in Knox v. Schwarzenegger,in 2011, the conservative majority on the Supreme Court made multiple comments that suggested it was looking to dramatically change, if not completely eliminate, agency fee arrangements under the guise of protecting First Amendment rights.After speaking with the attorneys representing SEIU in Harris, we put together a nationwide coalition of unions and associations who represent approximately a million public safety employees on behalf of the following associations:
The brief stressed the critical importance of the agency fee system within the collective bargaining structure throughout the nation, but particularly here in California.A copy of the brief is available here.We will keep our clients apprised when the Harris ruling is announced.Please contact Gregg McLean Adam at 415.743.2534 with any questions.
As firefighters corral the 2,000 acre Colby Fire, climatologists are warning that mid-summer-like conditions have created a risk of "explosive" wild land fires throughout California.
CPF joins Orange Co. Professional Firefighters Local 3631 and the entire fire service in mourning the sudden loss of OCFA Apparatus Engineer Greg Hennessey. Brother Hennessey died suddenly January 20th while on duty in Rancho Santa Margarita.
A firefighter memorial service is scheduled for February 5, 2014 at 10am in Pasadena honoring John Tennant, CPF Second District Emeritus and former State Fire Marshal. Brother Tennant died this past weekend after a short illness.
A fast-moving fire near Glendora in Southern California has scorched over 1,700 acres and forced thousands to evacuate. Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a drought emergency in California in response to the widening risk.
Decimated by budget cuts that have left the department down as many as two-dozen firefighters per shift, San Jose has once again failed to meet the countywide 9-1-1 response standard. It's the 14th straight month that San Jose has failed to meet the standard.
Decimated by budget cuts that have left the department down as many as two-dozen firefighters per shift, San Jose has once again failed to meet the countywide 9-1-1 response standard. It's the 14th straight month that San Jose has failed to meet the standard.
Governor Jerry Brown's 2014-2015 State Budget has been released. Thanks to a huge surplus, the spending plan calls for modest increases in many areas, while paying down billions in debt.
Governor Jerry Brown's 2014-2015 State Budget has been released. Thanks to a huge surplus, the spending plan calls for modest increases in many areas, while paying down billions in debt.
Anti-pension forces are still actively considering a November ballot attack on retirement security in the wake of new ballot language released this week. California Attorney General Kamala Harris issued the all-important title and summary of the pension measure by San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed.
A Look Back: 2013 was a year of success and sorrow for the fire service. In Prescott, Arizona, the profession had its largest one-day loss since 9/11, while in California, teamwork and training helped cope with one of the largest fires in California history.
SAN JOSE -- In a landmark ruling that could help shape city budgets around the state, a judge invalidated key parts of San Jose's voter-approved pension cuts but upheld other elements that could still save huge taxpayer costs.
Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Patricia Lucas' tentative decision released Monday prohibits the city from forcing current employees to contribute significantly more toward their pensions, as called for in last year's Measure B. But the ruling allows the city to cut employees' salaries to offset its increasing pension costs.
A Santa Clara Superior Court judge has invalidated the central provision of a pension-slashing initiative in San Jose that threatened basic retirement rights for millions of California workers. The closely-watched decision ruled that the city's Measure B illegally cut the pensions of current workers.
California Professional Firefighters and Local 2881 are saddened to announce the loss of their own. On December 20, 2013 CAL FIRE Fire Captain Pete Santana passed away at the age of 64 after a nearly two year courageous battle with job-related cancer.
A Santa Clara Superior Court judge has invalidated the central provision of a pension-slashing initiative in San Jose that threatened basic retirement rights for millions of California workers. The closely-watched decision ruled that the city's Measure B illegally cut the pensions of current workers.
Public pension foes got yet another lump of coal in their holiday stockings. The non-partisan Legislative Analyst's Office says San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed's initiative to gut retirement security could cost into the billions over the next two decades, and long-term savings could be offset by cost increases in other areas.
Chuck Reed's pension-slashing ballot initiative receiving extremely low public support, according to a recent survey.
It is with the deepest regret and sadness that Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014 informs you of the death of Fire Captain John Mazzocco in the line of duty. Captain Mazzocco passed away on December 12th at age 48, after battling job-related pancreatic cancer.
Breakfast with Santa! Featuring...pancakes, eggs, sausage, juice, milk, coffee, a surprise treat from the "Big Man" and lots of fun!
Where? San Rafael Community Center, 618 "B" Street, San Rafael
Modern Training for Modern Threats: The California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee (CFFJAC), working under a grant from Cal OES, has tasked its Terrorism Consequence Management (TCM) Committee to develop “TCM: Unified Response to Violent Incidents." This training program, which is still under development, will cover the strategies and tactics First Responders must consider when confronting present-day violent threats such as the Boston Marathon bombing or the school shooting in New Town, Connecticut.
Public-sector workers typically face a greater risk of suffering an injury on the job than other segments of the workforce. Read these five key takeaways from new industry-level data to learn why.
This evening, a new HBO documentary will spotlight the cancer risks posed by toxins in furniture and the groundbreaking CPF-backed flame-retardant standard recently enacted in California.
On Thursday, Governor Jerry Brown announced that California has approved rules to curtail the presence of hazardous flame-retardant chemicals in furniture, a change that CPF has worked for years to get approved. This rule change will reduce harmful exposures and make the job safer for firefighters throughout California.
November 20, 2013
To our extended fire service family: it is with great sadness that Kentfield Fire Protection District announces the death of Carol Abraham. Carol passed away on November 19, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Carol joined the Kentfield Fire District in September 1982 in the administrative office of the District. She served with great dedication and a smile every day, until her retirement in 2011. Carol was well respected by her peers and was very active during her tenure in the Administrative Services Section of the California Fire Chiefs Association.
Her husband, Henry, and daughters Linda and Victoria survive Carol. Memorial services and any additional information will be posted on the District webpage atwww.kentfieldfire.org, when available.
Fueled by money from anti-retirement billionaires, the Pew Center has been advocating for slashing the pensions of firefighters and other public workers. But when they went out and asked the public what they thought, they found the people weren't buying the spin.
As an opponent of Proposition 32, you might be interested in another dangerous California initiative that has recently been filed to be put on the November 2014 ballot. This initiative takes aim at the retirement security of teachers, firefighters, police officers and other school employees.
The initiative is led by San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, who has solicited financial backing from another organization that is not required to reveal its donors but is tied to Texas billionaire and former Enron executive John Arnold.
Firenuggets.com launched in 2000 to share valuable nuggets of information with members of the fire service to help keep them safe. After the website closed in January 2013, members of the Berkeley Fire Fighters Association Local 1227 sprung into action to save this vital firefighter safety resource.
Responding to concerns about a firehouse known among firefighters as “the cancer station," SJFD administration decides to track firefighters’ work histories and illnesses.
The effort by San Jose’s mayor to roll back retirement security for current employees suffered multiple blows. The measure was withdrawn for a rewrite as two of its original backers drop their support.
Working Together for Firefighter Training: The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and San Diego City Firefighters Local 145 are recognized with the 2013 Partnership for Success Award for being a stand-out example of successful collaboration between management and labor.
Adam's clients often have to contend with life and death on a daily basis. That's what he loves about his job. Over the course of his 14 years at Carroll Burdick in San Francisco, Adam has advocated for policemen, firefighters and correctional officers, all for whom he has a deep respect.
"It's a real privilege to represent people working in public employment, which has been taking a hit in the last few years," he said.
Livermore-Pleasanton Firefighters Local 1974 and CPF are saddened to announce the death of Livermore-Pleasanton Captain Paul Chenkovich in the line of duty. Brother Chenkovich died November 5th after a three-year battle with job-related brain cancer at the age of 48. Memorial services are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 15 at 11:00am, St. Augustine Church, Pleasanton.
Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014 is saddened to announce the death of LACoFD Firefighter Specialist Shawn Bayer of job-related cancer.
An Emotional Tribute to Our Fallen: Governor Jerry Brown joined uniformed firefighters, family members, grateful citizens and dignitaries from throughout California, who gathered on the grounds of the California State Capitol Saturday, October 5th, in a solemn tribute to those who have given their lives to protect the state and its citizens.
Contra Costa County's largest fire district is canceling plans to shut down another fire station, citing the region's rebounding real estate values that have pumped more property taxes than expected into the struggling agency's bank account.
A new study conducted by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on mortality and cancer incidence in career fire fighters shows an elevated risk of several types of cancer - and of all cancers combined - compared to the general U.S. population.
The just-released study, published in the Occupational & Environmental Medicine, is among the largest examining cancer risk in career fire fighters, with a study population of 30,000 fire fighters from IAFF locals in Philadelphia, Chicago and San Francisco.
The study identified higher incidence rates of cancers of the respiratory, digestive and urinary systems, which suggest that fire fighters are more likely to develop these cancers compared to the general U.S. population. The incidence rate of mesothelioma was two times greater among fire fighters compared to the general population, indicating likely occupational exposures to asbestos, the known cause of mesothelioma.
With an Enron profiteer and powerful anti-worker ideologues in his corner, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed this week launched a statewide campaign to cut the heart out of retirement security for millions of firefighters, teachers and other public workers.
Congressman Huffman’s event has been rescheduled to November 3rd due to the Government Shutdown.
[Originally scheduled for Oct. 12th, this event has been rescheduled to November 3rd!]
The family and colleagues of fallen firefighter Thomas Taylor are expressing their appreciation to their firefighter family for helping to keep a murderous arsonist behind bars.
Davis firefighters have hit the streets to let the public know about their concerns about the direction of their department.
The election to fill two seats employee seats on the CalPERS Board of Administration is over, and there won't be a runoff. J.J. Jelincic and Michael Bilbrey -- both backed by California Professional Firefighters -- won their reelection campaigns with more than 50% of the vote.
Hundreds of firefighters, family members, grateful citizens and Governor Jerry Brown paused today in Sacramento's Capitol Park to honor 22 firefighters who died in the line of duty. The California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony pays tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price.
In the final months of 2011, almost two years before the city of Detroit would shock America by declaring bankruptcy in the face of what it claimed were insurmountable pension costs, the state of Rhode Island took bold action to avert what it called its own looming pension crisis. Led by its newly elected treasurer, Gina Raimondo – an ostentatiously ambitious 42-year-old Rhodes scholar and former venture capitalist – the state declared war on public pensions, ramming through an ingenious new law slashing benefits of state employees with a speed and ferocity seldom before seen by any local government.
Marin Professional Firefighters, L-1775 in conjunction with the IAFF and Susan G. Komen organization are proud to participate in the October Breast Cancer Awareness program.
With dry desert winds forecast for much of California over the next few days, CAL FIRE and local agencies are pre-deploying resources to prepare for the worst.
Support in Times of Tragedy: The California Last Alarm Service Team (Cal-LAST), a partnership between the California Fire Foundation and the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation, is a comprehensive support team designed to help local fire departments and firefighter unions deal with line of duty deaths.
It's official: Anti-employee hard liners are going to the ballot to gut retirement security. Still-secret ballot language being shopped by San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed would restrict vested rights and could empower an end-run around collective bargaining.
Add your voice to the cause and help keep the pressure on Governor Brown to support the families of California's fallen heroes by signing AB 1373.
Is the "non-partisan" Pew Center for the States selling its good name and acting as the new front group for billionaire anti-pension ideologue John Arnold? You decide.
AB 1373 closes a cruel loophole and ensures that fallen firefighter families get access to the benefits they deserve – and that's why AB 1373 passed the legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support.
We need your help getting the message out. Please sign the petition urging Governor Brown to sign AB 1373.
Arriving early and fueled by abnormally dry conditions, this California wildfire season has been the worst in some time. With so many fires and resources stretched thin, it is taking its toll on firefighters and their families.
Piedmont Firefighters Association Local 2683 has forwarded the following message, urging California Professional Firefighters members not to apply for a captain's test position in solidarity with your brother and sister firefighters. Please forward this message to your membership and urge that they do not apply:
Brothers and Sisters,
IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger and other AFL-CIO affiliate leaders are among the more than 1,650 delegates attending the 2013 AFL-CIO Convention in Los Angeles, California, this week. General President Schaitberger has been forcefully representing the IAFF as delegates debate more than 50 resolutions, including a resolution to expand membership beyond unions to bring in social and like-minded organizations.
The IAFF is pushing back against this idea that the American labor movement become part of a social liberal movement, publicly expressing concerns about putting social causes before the representation of members. While many other AFL-CIO unions want to take up social issues, the IAFF remains focused on the International's core mission --- to represent professional fire fighters and paramedics and protect their rights and safety in the workplace and improve their lives and livelihoods.
The Rim Fire: Already the third largest in California history, the Rim Fire is the most dangerous fire in a dangerous fire season. The unified mutual aid response involved nearly one out of seven California firefighters, safeguarding the lives and property of thousands of Californians.
It has been 12 years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Today we honor and remember those who lost their lives that day, all the first responders who put their lives on the line to save others and those who continue risking their lives to keep us safe. We will never forget.
Investigative report unmasks secret campaign strategy meeting aimed at renewing ballot attack on retirement security for firefighters, other public workers.
Firefighting officials said Monday that they are gaining the upper hand on the massive Rim Fire burning in and around Yosemite National Park. Firefighters have also made great progress on other major wildfire incidents throughout the state.
Compromise was reached late Friday on CPF-backed legislation -- SB 594 -- to provide greater disclosure of campaign spending by taxpayer-financed non-profits and strengthen the ban on using public dollars for political campaigns.
Compromise was reached late Friday on CPF-backed legislation -- SB 594 -- to provide greater disclosure of campaign spending by taxpayer-financed non-profits and strengthen the ban on using public dollars for political campaigns.
More than 4,000 firefighters are hoping to gain more ground against the wildfire raging near Yosemite National Park. The Rim Fire has scorched over 280 square miles and continues to grow.
Prospective firefighters from all over California converged on the CPAT testing centers in Orange and Livermore to participate in two CFFJAC-sponsored Firefighter Career Expos.
Fire crews continue to implement defensive strategies against fires from the Corral Complex near Willow Creek which continue to scorch vegetation with no containment. Defensive strategies were also key to battling two other, much bigger fires at the Salmon River Complex and Butler areas.
In June, 19 firefighters from Prescott’s Granite Mountain Hotshot Crew were killed fighting a wildfire near Yarnell, Ariz. Six of the men were full-time city employees and their families are entitled to full-time survivors benefits. The other 13, though, were part-time. The city has a special category for those families: out of luck.
It is with great sadness that United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 announce the loss of one of their own, Fire Captain/Paramedic Matthew G. McKnight, in the line of duty.
Videos capture dramatic moments from Wednesday as the Silver fire swept through several small communities south of Banning. The fire has already burned 10,000 acres, destroying homes and other structures and injuring two firefighters and one civilian.
Dan Pellissier, president of California Pension Reform, told reporters that Los Angeles would follow Detroit to bankruptcy in the next few years. A coalition of firefighters, police officers, teachers and other public employees have joined Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to refute Pellissier's bold claim.
Local 1775 members and your families are invited to the San Rafael Pacifics vs Hawaii Stars game Wednesday, August 21. Firefighter appreciation night, hosted by local 1775, will include ticket, plus a pre-game dinner on the field prior to the game. Dinner is at 5:30, with a 6:45 game start.
Thirty FREE tickets are available on a first come, first served basis to Local 1775 members and their families, limit two free tickets per-member. Additional tickets are available for $23 per person, including dinner - a $50 value.
When Andrew Ashcroft died with 18 of his brother firefighters in the Yarnell Hills fire last month, he was pulling full-time shifts. But the City of Prescott says he's only a "seasonal", denying his widow key survivor benefits.
Detroit's bankruptcy can't and shouldn't be blamed on public workers, and it shouldn't be used as an excuse to take away hard-earned benefits. So says an editorial in this weekend's New York Times.
More Fires, Less Resources: The 2013 Fire Season is off to a bad start: as of June 1st, the number of fires was up 35% over 2012, with nearly six times as many acres burned. But this heightened danger comes at a time when layoffs, station closures and a “cut-first” climate has decimated local capacity.
July 29, 2013
San Jose and its employee unions face off in court over public pension reforms in a case that has major implications for other local governments across the state.
According to the state Department of Finance, cities, counties, special districts and schools have nearly $4 billion more available for critical services, thanks to CPF-backed legislation that ended the costly and often-corrupt local redevelopment agencies.
Camp Pendleton Professional Firefighters Local F-85 is sad to announce that Firefighter Michael Lee of Engine Company 2, A-Shift, passed away unexpectedly on July 22.
Downey Firemen's Association, Local 3473 is saddened to announce the loss of one of their own, Battalion Chief Brian Wolf, in the line of duty.
Grant McKee and Robert Caldwell worked ... and died ... together on the front lines in the Granite Mountain Hotshots. The two men -- both killed in the Yarnell Hill Fire, were honored on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 11:00am.
2,985 fire personnel now working the Mountain Fire in Riverside County. Blaze grows to 22,800 acres, forces over 6,000 mandatory evacuations. 15% contained, over 4,000 structures threatened, 22 structures damaged or destroyed, 4-6 vehicles destroyed.
The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) today reported a 12.5 percent return on investments for the 12 months that ended June 30, 2013, outperforming its benchmark by 1.5 percentage points.
Kevin Woyjeck, 21, was among 19 Prescott AZ firefighters who died battling the Yarnell Hills Fire in central Arizona. On Tuesday, July 16th, at 11:00am, Kevin was honored with a memorial service in Long Beach.
Sean Misner 26, was one of 19 Prescott, AZ. who lost their lives June 30th battling the Yarnell Hill Fire. On Monday, July 15, 2013 at 7:00pm, Sean was remembered with a memorial service.
The Marinwood Community Services District Board of Directors voted 3-1 Tuesday, with Director Leah Kleinman-Green absent and Director Bill Hansell dissenting, to ink a deal with San Rafael after more than five months of negotiations. The agreement allows the departments to share employees and equipment, and eliminates boundaries separating the departments. Now the closest available unit will be dispatched to an emergency.
Saluting Our Fallen: On June 30, the fire service suffered its greatest one-day loss since 9/11 with the death of 19 Granite Mountain Hotshot firefighters from Prescott, AZ. A few days later, CAL FIRE engineer Christopher Douglas lost his life in the line of duty.
On Wednesday, July 10, 2013, fallen firefighters with California roots were flown home from Arizona to the Golden State aboard a National Guard C-130. A Memorial Ramp Ceremony upon their arrival gave all California firefighters the opportunity to pay their respects to those who paid the ultimate price.
More than 1,300 fire personnel working Chariot Fire in San Diego County. 4,700 acre blaze threatens 120 homes. 15% contained, 8 structures damaged or destroyed, 4 minor injuries.
CDF Firefighters Local 2881 is saddened to announce the line-of-duty death of CAL FIRE Engineer/Paramedic Christopher Douglas, who was fatally injured this morning after being hit by a car while working along eastbound Interstate 10 in the Thousand Palms area of Riverside County.
In the most devastating firefighter loss since 9/11, 19 Prescott Arizona firefighters died Sunday battling a devastating wildland blaze in central Arizona. A public memorial was held in Prescott on Tuesday, July 9 at 11:00am at the Toyota Center.