CPF Fire Wire

CPF Fire Wire -Assm. Heath Flora

The 2023 legislative session in Sacramento wrapped up with solid wins for California's firefighters, the result of CPF's strong advocacy that works across the partisan aisle.

On this edition of CPF Fire Wire, CPF President talks with Republican Assemblyman Heath Flora of Ripon about the legislative year, significant measures for firefighters, and the importance of working with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

 

California Last Alarm Service Team (Cal-LAST)

Funded by the Department of Justice, the Cal-LAST program is the result of a landmark partnership between the California Fire Foundation and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. This critical team provides comprehensive rapid-response support for local fire departments that lose one of their own. The primary mission of the team is to provide assistance and comfort to the family and department in the immediate aftermath of a line of duty death and help with filing DOJ-PSOB, state, and local benefits. 

CPF President Brian Rice sits down with two members of the Cal-LAST team to find out what drives them to support the fallen and their families and peers. Thomas Jay is a retired Battalion Chief with the City of Riverside Fire Department. He has led the CPF Honor Guard for more than two decades and has been part of Cal-LAST since its inception. Tracey Hansen is a retired Chief of the Cosumnes Fire District who is a member of the CPF Pipes and Drums and has recently joined the Cal-LAST team.

In this episode, they discuss how they became involved with Cal-LAST and what it means to them to support the fire service and the fallen brothers and sisters. Thomas and Tracey also break down the various components of the team and how they provide support to fire departments across California.

CPF Fire Wire - Suicide Awareness

Firefighters are exposed to stresses on the job that few can contemplate. Sometimes, the job can take its toll. Nationally, firefighter suicides now consistently exceed the number killed in traumatic incidents.

As part of the joint fire service Suicide Prevention and Awareness Stand Down in May, CPF President Brian Rice reconnects with Oxnard Fire Chief Alex Hamilton.

A former Oxnard Firefighters board member, Chief Hamilton has developed groundbreaking peer-to-peer suicide awareness training for firefighters. He was first interviewed on Fire Wire in 2019.

Among the subjects discussed are the impact the past four years, including the pandemic and increase in catastrophic wildland fires, have had in firefighters' mental wellness and what individuals can do to help themselves and others at risk of suicide.

 

CPF Fire Wire - Sacramento Firefighters On Strike, Part 2

CPF President Brian Rice continues his conversation with retired Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522 President Richard Mayberry about the Sacramento firefighters strike of 1970.

Mayberry and over 400 of his fellow firefighters walked off the job in October of 1970 in an action that had broad ramifications for the firefighter labor movement. Mayberry himself was arrested, tried and acquitted for his role in the action.

Listen to Part 1 HERE: https://cpffirewire.podbean.com/e/cpf-fire-wire-sacramento-firefighters-on-strike/

 

CPF Fire Wire - Sacramento Firefighters On Strike

At a time when firefighters were underpaid, disrespected and subject to the whims of their employers, the firefighter union movement asserted itself in the early 1970s with an unprecedented wave of strikes.

On this edition of CPF Fire Wire, we present Part One of a two-part episode that tells the story of one of those strikes, and how it was part of a pivotal moment for firefighters and the labor movement.

Joining CPF President Brian Rice is Richard Mayberry, longtime president of Sacramento Area Firefighters 522. Mayberry was a relatively new firefighter in October of 1970 when more than 400 Sacramento City firefighters walked off the job.

In Part One, Mayberry talks about the conditions firefighters faced at the time, and what drove them to an action that put every firefighter's job on the line.

 

 

CPF Fire Wire - Federal Firefighters Cancer Presumption

Civilian federal firefighters  have finally won a protection that state and local firefighters in California have had for 40 years -- a workers' compensation presumption for firefighter cancer.

The victory, part of the federal defense authorization passed last year, caps a decades-long fight that was led by California's federal firefighters.

On this CPF Fire Wire, CPF President Brian Rice discusses this important victory, and the work done by CPF and IAFF to help federal firefighters, with Charlie Martinez, CPF's 5th District Vice President and a 31-year federal firefighter.

CPF Fire Wire - CA Firefighters Memorial

The California Firefighters Memorial is a touchstone of remembrance for frontline firefighters and their families. The centerpiece of this tribute -- the Memorial Wall that carries the names of more than 1,500 fallen firefighters -- is running out of space.

CPF President Brian Rice talks with California Fire Foundation Executive Director Rick Martinez about the meaning of the Memorial and plans to expand it to ensure that all fallen firefighters can have their sacrifice memorialized.

cafirefoundation.org/memorialexpansion

Legislative Update

On this edition of CPF Fire Wire, CPF President Brian Rice discusses CPF’s legislative wins, the legislative process and the importance of building relationships at the local political level with CPF Director of Governmental Affairs, Doug Subers and CPF Governmental Advocate, Meagan Subers.

CPF closed out a successful legislative session as Governor Newsom signed many priority bills, including SB 1127: Workers Compensation Presumption Reforms, and AB 450: Paramedic Disciplinary Review Board. As part of our legislative advocacy we also worked to stop AB 1993, a COVID-19 vaccine mandate that infringed on the rights of labor unions to meet and confer over such issues.

Listen to the episode to learn what it takes to win for our members at the State Capitol. 

 

 

CPF Fire Wire - Firefighter Cancer

Cancer remains the leading cause of job-related illness and death among active firefighters.

Now, a worldwide scientific panel -- the International Agency for Research on Cancer -- has said it more plainly than ever --  being a firefighter can cause cancer.

On this edition of CPF Fire Wire, CPF President Brian Rice discusses the IARC finding and what it means for firefighters who've been denied presumptive Workers' Comp support. 

Guests:

Dr. Jeff Burgess, noted firefighter cancer researcher and invited contributor to the IARC working group.

Bryan Frieders, President, Firefighter Cancer Support Network

 

CPF Fire Wire - Forward Together, Union Strong

The cause of protecting the lives and livelihoods of firefighters must be defended every day. 

Nothing is forever.

On this edition of CPF Fire Wire, CPF President Brian Rice talks with Dave Coker, president of the Professional Firefighters of Greensboro (NC) Local 947.

A longtime labor leader who cut his teeth as a lineman and CWA organizer,  Brother Coker talks about the importance and value of the union movement in a state where collective bargaining is illegal. 

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Professional Firefighters of Greensboro
https://local.iaff.org/local0947

Organize the South Blog
https://organizethesouth.substack.com

West Virginia Mine Wars Museum
https://wvminewars.org