Ventura County FD's swift-water rescue team, consisting of Local 1364 members, successfully saved four friends who became stuck in a creekbed in Thousand Oaks during last Sunday's heavy storm.
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Children at City of Hope National Medical Center were visited by Arcadia firefighters last week and got to cheer them on as more than 30 firefighters shaved their heads. The program is part of their involvement with St. Baldrick's Foundation, an organization that raises money and awareness for childhood cancer research.
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The national attack on your rights and benefits as public servants is washing up on the shores of the Golden State. And it now has claimed a life. More than 200 employees in Costa Mesa, including 90 firefighters, got six-month layoff notices Thursday, March 17th, as part of a brazen, ideologically fueled effort to privatize the entire city.
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Olivenhain residents said they are upset about what they call unacceptable fire and medical response times for their community, which is east of Encinitas. The problem is that four out of Encinitas' five fire stations are located near the coastal part of the city and miles from Olivenhain.
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California Professional Firefighters will hold a Special Convention in January to address the urgent threat posed by the proposed anti-labor Paycheck Deception Intiative.
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...Costa Mesa City Council issues mass layoff notices, including 90 firefighters, in attempt to privatize city services.
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Talented and experienced firefighters laid off because of budget cuts continue their careers, thanks to the Displaced Firefighter List, created by CPF-sponsored legislation and managed by the CFFJAC.
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...A new law that frees up billions in additional general fund dollars for critical local services has taken effect, after being upheld by the California Supreme Court.
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...The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), the seat of much of the nation’s nuclear research, this week announced it is renewing its five-year contract with Alameda County Fire Department to provide fire and EMS services for the facility. In so doing, the facility rejected an effort by Wackenhut Services International to privatize...
A suspect has been arrested in Los Angeles in connection with a wave of some 50 separate arson fires that shattered the New Year celebration in Los Angeles.
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...A twice-defeated proposal that seeks to silence the united voice of firefighters and other working Californians is once again headed for the statewide ballot. The new "Paycheck Deception" measure offers a one-sided "reform" that muzzles labor's political voice while preserving advantages for big corporations and special...
Facing down an unprecedented anti-labor agenda sweeping toward California, delegates at this week’s California Professional Firefighters Special Convention committed to an all out fight against those who would steal the firefighter voice at the ballot box and the bargaining table.
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...As a legislative committee convened to consider pension issues, Long Beach Firefighter Rich Brandt joined teachers, school employees and retirees in bringing a simple message to lawmakers and the public -- protect secure retirement and stop scapegoating public employees.
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...Two California firefighters are honored for bravery above and beyond the call of duty in a ceremony at the State Capitol.
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...A secure pension aids recruitment, reduces turnover, and produces a more effective and experienced teaching corps that increases the overall quality of public education.
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...This week, Gov. Brown introduced a pension "reform" proposal that, if enacted, would threaten basic retirement security for generations of firefighters, their families, and millions of other hard-working public servants.
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...Alameda Co. Fire and Alameda Co. Firefighters Local 55 are honored at CFFJAC Conference for labor-management cooperation in training and firefighter safety.
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...Long Beach Firefighters Local 372 is saddened to announce the death of one of their own in the line of duty. LBFD Engineer Darren Rockett succumbed to job-related illness a few days short of his 48th birthday. Memorial services are scheduled for November 18th.</p>
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...Pioneer Firefighters Local 4586 is hosting a raffle to raise money in support of Measure F, a local ballot measure that will keep Pioneer Fire Protection District open.
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...Continuing a solemn and sobering autumn tradition, the names of 30 California firefighters who fell in the line of duty were added to the state's "roll of honor" at at the annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony at the State Capitol in Sacramento.
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...The loss of secure pensions in the private sector (and their potential elimination in the public sector) has led to some frightening predictions about the ability of this generation to retire with any degree of security ... or to retire at all.
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...California honored its fallen firefighters Oct. 1 at the annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony in Sacramento's Capitol Park.
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...On October 1, 2011, 30 names were added to the California Firefighters Memorial at a solemn ceremony in Sacramento.
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...California Professional Firefighters was recognized with four awards at this year's 2011 IAFF Media Awards, with CPF.org and CPF Firevision receiving top honors.
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...California firefighters are in the pink this month in honor of breast cancer awareness month. Pink duty shirts are replacing the traditional blue uniforms in many fire stations across the state.
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...The 2011 Legislative year is in the books, and CPF's sponsored and co-sponsored bills fared well with Governor Brown. Every one that made it to the governor's desk was signed.
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...Political leaders from throughout Sonoma County got a "master class" on the rigors and risks of firefighting as Santa Rosa Firefighters Local 1401 hosted their latest "Fire Ops 101".
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...Hostile anti-employee rhetoric gets the headlines, but the fact is that, in public and at the bargaining table, firefighters and other public employees are working toward sustainable retirement. So says a Sacramento Bee op-ed penned by the head of Californians for Retirement Security, a group co-sponsored by CPF.
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...A move to shift all initiative votes to the November ballot has the backing of the public. In a new statewide poll, close to 60% of California voters support the proposal, which is at the heart of CPF-backed SB 202.
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...Over 600 concerned Pasadena residents signed a petition submitted to the City Council Monday night to formalize their demands for better fire department coverage following the closure of Station 39 after a seismic study found it unsafe.
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...Personal Exposure Reporting -- Your Online PPE: PER Online, sponsored by California Professional Firefighters, documents on-the-job exposures, so firefighters and their families are protected.
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...Eighty-seven on duty firefighters from 31 states lost their lives as the result of 83 fatal incidents that occurred in 2010. This is the second consecutive year of substantially fewer firefighter deaths in the United States, according to a report released by United States Fire Administration (USFA) today.
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...October 1, 2011 has been proclaimed California Firefighters Memorial Day, following the unanimous approval of CPF-sponsored SCR 56 (Yee), authored by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco). The day memorializes the courage and commitment of firefighters across the state who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
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...Contra Costa Fire Engineer/Paramedic Dave Manzeck and Long Beach Firefighter Charles Hakopian, along with 11 law enforcement officers, today were awarded the Medal of Valor, the highest public safety award in the state.
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...CPF-sponsored legislation, which would make it more difficult for local public entities to file for bankruptcy, has been approved by the Legislature and has been sent to Governor Jerry Brown's desk.
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...CPF Firevision is California Professional Firefighters' online news service. Firefighter Apprenticeship: Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed CFFJAC Program Director Yvonne de la Peña to serve on the California Apprenticeship Council. 9/11 Events: In tributes large and small, California's first responders are paying their respects to the victims...
Fresno Firefighters Local 753 has much to celebrate. They have helped the City of Fresno close its $3 million budget shortfall and given more back to their members. For the next 24 months, starting August 4, Fresno Firefighters agreed to a 2.5% salary concession, if the City would extend their contract for one more year.
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...CPF California's first responders will have a powerful new voice in helping to shape our state's earthquake safety standards with the appointment of Riverside Fire Captain Tim Strack to the California Seismic Safety Commission.
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...CPF-sponsred legislation that gives the public new tools to hold local redevelopment agencies accountable has been signed by Gov. Jerry Brown. Assembly Bill 936 requires that RDA fund-swapping by cities be subject to full public inquiry.
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...Get your limited edition 10th anniversary 9/11 tribute painting by retired Santa Clara City firefighter Frank Walsh. Giclee, lithographs and posters available. All proceeds benefit the California Fire Foundation.
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...California's active and retired public workers got some good news as CalPERS continues its strong recovery from the stock meltdown. Preliminary figures from the world's largest pension fund showed growth of nearly 21% -- its best year since 1997.
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...CPF-sponsored legislation allowing local fire departments to be reimbursed by the federal government for Medi-Cal emergency transport services is on its way to Governor Brown. Assembly Bill 678, authored by Assemblyman Richard Pan, won final approval Tuesday.
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...Firefighter teams from Woodland, Sacramento Metro and Davis have advanced into the final round of competition for the annual California State Fair's Firehouse Challenge. The final round of cooking is scheduled for Sunday, July 31.
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...As CalPERS and CalSTRS continue to rebound, Anaheim retirees step up to make the case: Promises made should be promises kept.
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...Get a sneak peek of the latest issue of the CPF newspaper before it hits your mailbox! The latest newspaper includes stories about fighting back against the pension attacks, CPF's legislative update, analysis of the new state budget, district reports and more.
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...Firefighter paramedics George Ostrovsky and Jim Prabhu have shedded their Los Angeles City Fire Department uniforms to go on a new adventure with eight other Southern California firefighters. The group is bicycling across the country, covering 3,308 miles.
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...As California closed a gaping budget deficit this year with sweeping cuts to numerous agencies, it saved $34 million by cutting 750 seasonal CAL FIRE firefighters. That means one less person per engine unit to haul thousands of feet of hose lines and share the exhausting physical rigors of battling wildfires.
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...California’s firefighters and other hard-working public employees have a new voice for retirement security on the CalPERS Board of Administration. According to the unofficial vote count, Michael Bilbrey received 117,034 votes while retired state employee and former FBI Agent Richard Ross received 78,718 votes.
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...Labor Under Attack: From pensions to privatization to Paycheck Deception, anti-labor ideologues are using the economic crisis to attack working families.
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...Vallejo's fire department is set to hire nine new firefighters for two years, buy two new fire engines and reopen a station following City Council approval Tuesday night. The new fire staffing will come from a federal Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grant, the second the city has received in recent years.
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...A Ventura fire station shuttered last year amid steep city budget cuts could reopen by year's end. The city learned Wednesday it was awarded a three-year, multimillion federal grant to afford the nine firefighter-paramedic positions necessary to reopen and staff the fire house 24 hours a day.
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...Next month marks the 10th anniversary of the attacks on America that cost 343 FDNY firefighters their lives. CPF has prepared a special web page with links to commemorative events happening around California.
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...Nearly two dozen retirees and active public workers pushed back this week against attacks on retirement security. The latest Pension Truth Squad event brought a strong message about retirement security to Palm Springs.
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...CPF Firevision is California Professional Firefighters' online news service.
LA Wildland Training: Firefighters from LA City and County worked side-by-side during a recent live fire training to gain valuable on-the-ground experience.
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...Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed CFFJAC Program Director Yvonne de la Peña to serve on the California Apprenticeship Council The CAC provides policy advice and hears appeals in apprenticeship cases. The CFFJAC, California's model firefighter apprenticeship program, is co-sponsored by CPF.
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...As two-time defending champions of the California State Fair's Firehouse Challenge, firefighters Tara Daniels and Walter Scruggs are working on their arsenal of dishes to prepare for battle this Sunday.
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...California's retired public workers provide $26 billion economic engine for state, supporting nearly 100k jobs, according to new CalPERS study.
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...Terrorism Consequence Management: The California Fire Fighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee's latest TCM training module covers response to a truck accident with a secondary device.
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...When it comes to retirement security, a deal is a deal. So says a new legal analysis from CalPERS. In a thorough review of current law, CalPERS concludes that pension promises to current employees can't be broken. To try would bury taxpayers in legal bills and needlessly attack retirees.
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...The president of Corona Firefighters Local #3757 has been honored by his department for community service above and beyond the call. Jim Steiner was selected as Corona's Firefighter of the Year for 2010. Steiner was honored for his fund raising work on behalf of ill children.
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...Beginning on April 1, 2011, the website where first responders apply for all Assistance to Firefighters Grants Programs will change its current website address from www.firegrantsupport.com to the FEMA website at www.fema.gov/firegrants.
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...Few have a better perspective on the budget issues facing our state than its top two elected fiscal officers: State Treasurer Bill Lockyer and State Controller John Chiang. In an effort to help CPF members better understand the fiscal situations facing state and local governments, CPF interviewed Lockyer and Chiang, both of whom were...
Buy your Giants tickets now to Firefighter Appreciation Night at San Francisco's AT&T Park and show your support for the California Fire Foundation. The package includes a ticket to the Giants game in the Firefighter Appreciation section, access to the pre-game firefighter tailgate party and a collector's firefighter-themed Giants beanie....
Firefighters fanned out across San Diego County Wednesday to collect money for the Burn Institute during the 12th annual Firefighter Boot Drive. Firefighters at stations and major intersections around the county solicited donations during the morning and afternoon commutes.
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...The California Supreme Court today dealt the final blow to efforts in Orange County to roll back retirement promises to its employees. Without comment, the court rejected the final appeal of a lawsuit seeking to take pension benefits away from Orange County sheriff deputies.
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...California's Fiscal Crisis: CPF sits down with Controller John Chiang to help understand the stakes in California's budget fight.
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...With a record breaking number of attendees, locals from Central California all the way to San Diego joined MDA in Anaheim to celebrate their 2010 Fill the Boot successes. Abbey Umali, MDA National Goodwill Ambassador, welcomed the crowd and introduced CPF Secretary-Treasurer Lew Stone.
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...It is with the utmost sympathy and deepest regret that the Long Beach Firefighters, Local 372 and the Long Beach Fire Department announce the passing of Fire Capt. Hank Zavaleta from a long battle with brain cancer. He was 49.
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...After two hours of at times emotional debate, the San Carlos City Council late Monday unanimously voted to seek a partnership with Redwood City for its fire protection and rejected a plan to outsource the service.
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...Modesto Firefighter Miracle: Modesto Engineer Jim Adams returns to full duty 13 months after the New Year's Day 2010 blaze that nearly cost him his life.
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...The California Fire Foundation has joined in a first-of-its-kind partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to provide comprehensive support for local fire departments who lose one of their own in the line of duty.
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...Alexandra Le Tellier of the LA Times opinion staff takes on right wing bloggers seeking to scapegoat firefighters and their families for the city's fiscal problems.
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...Before lawmakers heard legislation Wednesday to slash public pensions, Californians for Retirement Security's Pension Truth Squad visited the State Capitol to share personal stories and set the record straight about the sustained attacks on public workers.
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...Applications for the 2011 Daniel A. Terry Scholarships are now available for download. As part of its ongoing mission to provide assistance to families of fallen firefighters, the California Fire Foundation is proud to have the Daniel A. Terry Scholarship fund.
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...Which local has the best firehouse chefs? The California State Fair wants to crown this year's champ. If you've got gourmets in your midst, get your team together for the 2011 California's Kitchen Best Firehouse Chef Competition at the California State Fair. Entry form deadline is July 1, 2011.
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...Get up-to-date fire department information, searchable by county and/or department name, thanks to CPF's Online Fire Department Directory. It is the most up-to-date directory of its kind.
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...California LAST Teams: The CA Fire Foundation joins with Nat'l Fallen Firefighter Foundation to provide comprehensive local assistance when a firefighter falls in the line of duty.
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...A state senator who is leading the effort to protect billions in redevelopment subsidies may have more than just a passing interest in the issue. The Los Angeles Times reports that the wife of pro-redevelopment Sen. Bob Huff is a paid consultant for a company that benefits handsomely from redevelopment subsidies.
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...In an effort to support cancer victims and survivors, three pink fire trucks rolled into Kern County last weekend to support Links for Life. It's part of a cross-country cancer awareness tour.
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...State and local pension systems are facing a long-term funding issue, but are not in “crisis”, according to a report on public radio’s Marketplace. The report also suggests concerns about recruitment if pensions are wiped out.
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...Pension costs for the state of California will go down by nearly $200 million in the coming year, thanks to state workers. CalPERS reports that new collective bargaining agreements are already helping to rein in retirement costs.
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...California's public workers and retirees are hitting the road to stand up for the secure retirement they have earned. Speaking at separate events in San Diego and Riverside, CPF members joined teachers, police officers, bus drivers and other public workers to fight back against Wisconsin-style attacks on their pensions and bargaining rights.
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International Rescue: LA County’s USAR Task Force 2 responds to disasters around the world as one of only two internationally certified USAR teams in the nation.
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...A former Assemblyman from Sacramento has dropped an effort to qualify a ballot measure that would have gutted retirement security for firefighters and other public workers. However, other threats still loom.
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...California's first responders are united in mourning the loss of a San Francisco firefighter in the line of duty, 48-year-old Lt. Vincent Perez died from injuries suffered while battling a Thursday morning house fire. Two others were injured in the blaze. One -- Firefighter-Paramedic Anthony Valerio -- remained in critical condition Thursday night.
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San Diego's controversial plan to privatize retirement could wind up costing the city more, not less. An analysis of the ballot proposal to replace secure pensions with 401(k) plans says the proposal may actually force the city to pay more into the pension system, at least in the short run.
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...California's first responders join San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798 in mourning the loss of a second San Francisco firefighter in the line of duty,Firefighter Paramedic Anthony Valerio, 53, died early Saturday morning, two days after he was critically injured battling a Thursday morning house fire. Valerio and 48-year-old Lt. Vincent Perez...
Remember that awful public sector union pension crisis that was going to bankrupt every state from California to Wisconsin? A little less Armageddon in the coffee, please. Reuters is reporting some interesting details from a new report by the National Conference of Public Employee Retirement Systems.
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...Lodi firefighter and Local 1225 member Kris Graves is used to taking on whatever work throws at him on his 24-hour shift at Lodi's Fire Station 1. But recently, he stretched the 24-hour time frame to its absolute limit when he and his fraternal twin brother Michael competed in "24 Hour Restaurant Battle," a Food Network reality TV show...
The number of on-duty firefighter deaths is the lowest since 1977. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) today released its annual Firefighter Fatality Report at the NFPA Conference & Expo, which shows that a total of 72 on-duty firefighter deaths occurred in the United States in 2010.
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...Unseasonably cool and blustery weather throughout much of California this spring has led some to hope for a mild fire season. But the wildland experts know better -- thicker vegetation in the spring means more fuel to burn when it dries out in the summer.
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...Standing Up for Retirement Security: A special report aimed at busting the myths about public pensions and calling out those who seek to scapegoat public employees.
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...Firehouse Chef: Lodi firefighter Kris Graves takes his culinary skills from the firehouse to the Food Network on "24 Hour Restaurant Battle."
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...The California Legislature has approved a landmark reform that will free up billions of dollars for schools, public safety and other critical services. On a bipartisan vote, the California Senate and Assembly approved ABX1 26, Governor Brown’s proposal to eliminate local redevelopment agencies.
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...Gov. Jerry Brown and Democratic leaders in the Assembly and Senate have forged a compromise state budget that is expected to be approved as early as tomorrow. The accord assumes an additional $4 billion in additional revenue, but does not include any plan to extend existing temporary tax hikes. If the new revenue doesn't materialize,...
Over 2,000 firefighters packed AT&T Park in San Francisco last night for the San Francisco Giants' Firefighter Appreciation Night. And the Giants did not disappoint.
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...For only the third time in a quarter century, California got an on-time budget this year. The $86 billion spending plan slashes deeply into every corner of state service, including public safety and public education, all part of bridging a budget gap pegged in January at more than $20 billion.
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...Budget cuts in the Sacramento City Fire Department are now being felt on the fire lines. On Wednesday, firefighters battled a tractor-trailer fire in South Sacramento with half its hazmat companies gone.
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Treasurer Bill Lockyer. CPF sits down with California's treasurer to talk about the state budget crisis, the governor's proposal and redevelopment reform.