CPF Fire Wire

CPF Fire Wire - Senate President Toni Atkins

The challenges facing California remain as daunting as ever, from catastrophic wildfire to housing to COVID-19. The California Legislature is at the center of these challenges.

In the latest edition of CPF Fire Wire, President Brian Rice talks with the top leader in the California State Senate -- Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins. Senator Atkins serves the 39th District, located in San Diego, and has been a staunch ally and advocate for firefighters during her time as a legislator and before, as a member of the San Diego City Council. 

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Background, information about Senator Atkins: sd39.senate.ca.gov

CPF Fire Wire - San Diego Pension Victory

A January California Superior Court ruling will, if upheld, permanently strike down the most draconian pension-slashing initiative in California history: San Diego’s Proposition B. The 2012 pension grab in San Diego, which wiped out secure pensions for all city workers except police officers, has been the subject of an eight-year court fight.

In the latest edition of CPF Fire Wire, President Brian Rice talks with San Diego City Firefighters Local 145 President Jesse Conner about the long legal fight, what the court decision means for retirement security, and the impact the San Diego fight will have on the ongoing effort to provide secure retirement for firefighters.

 

CPF Fire Wire - Gov. Gavin Newsom

In the past 12 months, California has experienced the teeth of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as record-shattering wildfires. The man charged with guiding the state through the crises of 2020 is Gov. Gavin Newsom. 

As he did a year ago, Gov. Newsom again sits down for a conversation with CPF President Brian Rice to talk about issues affecting the state, including COVID-19 and the promise of the vaccines, forest management, the economy and what it’s like to navigate a year like no other.

 

CPF Fire Wire - The COVID Vaccines

The first ray of hope in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has come with the release of two vaccines for emergency use. The remarkable and highly effective vaccines are being distributed beginning this month, with frontline health care workers – including firefighter-paramedics and firefighter-EMTs – are on the priority list to receive it.

On the premiere of the second season of CPF Fire Wire, CPF President Brian Rice and his guests discuss the promise of the vaccine, its safety and the impact firefighters can have in ensuring that critical health and safety measures -- like vaccination, PPE and ongoing safety protocols – are employed to help get us all back to normal. 

 

Surviving COVID-19: Firefighters and Families Share Their Stories

Anaheim Fire Captains David Baker and Joe Aldecoa experienced the real risks of COVID-19 the hard way.

Both men -- healthy, experienced firefighters -- spent close to a month in the hospital fighting for their every breath after contracting the deadly virus. Baker spent 11 days on a ventilator in a medically-induced coma.

On a special Fire Wire, CPF President Brian Rice and Health and Safety and EMS Director Mike Feyh talk with Brothers Baker and Aldecoa, and their partners -- Stacey Baker and Nikki Jackson -- who who are also COVID-19 survivors. 

The families discuss their fight against the disease, the physical and mental toll it took, and the devastating impact it had on their lives and families. They also have a powerful message about the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID19: The Hidden Toll on Firefighters and Families

The outbreak of SARS-Cov 2 (COVID-19) has once again placed firefighters on the front lines of a disaster. But unlike a wildfire or a normal EMS call, the pandemic has created unique stresses on firefighters and, more importantly, their families.

On a special CPF Fire Wire, President Brian Rice discusses the behavioral health effects of the outbreak on our members and their families, the importance of managing the overwhelming stress associated with the outbreak, and the resources available to help.

Joining Brian is Dr. Steve Froehlich, behavioral health director for United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, Local 112.

Resources and information: healingourown.org/covid19

San Jose Firefighters: First In on COVID-19

When the coronavirus COVID-19 hit the shores of the U.S, one of its first landing spots was San Jose. It's now clear that the members of San Jose Firefighters Local 230 were being exposed to COCID-19 on calls for weeks without knowing, and they were the first to feel its effects.

On this episode of CPF Fire Wire, we tell the story of San Jose Firefighters and their position at the leading edge of the pandemic, CPF President Brian Rice is joined by San Jose Firefighters Local 230 President Sean Kaldor.

The two leaders discuss the experience of San Jose firefighters in the early stages of the pandemic, how the department and the local responded, and what lessons their experiences offer for all California firefighters.

COVID-19: Fire and EMS Update

The outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19 has become a major public health issue worldwide. Fire and EMS personnel are on the front lines of the epidemic, and exposures of our personnel have already had an impact.

On a special CPF Fire Wire, CPF President Brian Rice is joined by CPF's Health and Safety Director Mike Feyh to discuss the details of COVID-19 and the precautions firefighters can take in the field and in their homes, including Personal Exposure Reporting.

 

Protecting You and Your Family: CPF Personal Exposure Reporting

On this edition of CPF Fire Wire, CPF President Brian Rice talks with two firefighters who have faced death from illnesses caused by their jobs.  

Contra Costa Fire Captain Michael Lacy and Alameda Co. Firefighter Alex Mengell talk with President Rice about their life-and-death experiences dealing with job-related illness, their challenges getting treatment and recognition and how CPF's Personal Exposure Reporting can be as important in protecting firefighters and their families. 

"If there's one episode of this program every firefighter should hear, it is this one." -- CPF President Brian Rice

Sign up for CPF Personal Exposure Reporting: peronline.org. 

The Power of Solidarity: Firefighters Unite to Fight Back

In this episode, CPF President, Brian K. Rice is joined by Stockton Firefighters Local 456 President, Mario Gardea and Tracy City Firefighters Local 3355 President, Paul O’Neal to discuss their EMS dispatch and ALS services battle in San Joaquin County.

Emergency medical response is a central focus for first responders. When our ability to save lives is compromised – we fight back. Listen in as Brian, Mario and Paul discuss how locals united to stop an unprecedented power grab and what this means to other agencies around the state.