CPF Fire Wire

Governor Newsom & Fire Service Priorities

Brian and Governor Newsom discuss the Governor's first year in office and his commitment to firefighters across the state. As his first act in office, Governor Newsom invested over $400 million in wildfire response and preparedness. He created the California Rises benefit concert and raised millions in relief funds for the survivors of wildfires. Most signficantly, he recognized the need to address firefighter behavioral health and kept his campaign promise by signing AB 1116, confidential peer support, and SB 542, PTSI presumption. 

Listen to this candid conversation with Governor Newsom and CPF President Brian Rice.

Do you know JAC?

This episode features CPF President Brian K. Rice and California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee(Cal-JAC) Executive Director Yvonne de la Peña. 

The careers of all California firefighters have been impacted by the Cal-JAC, from apprenticeship to journeylevel training and safety improvements. The Cal-JAC is a partnership between labor and management with a mission to bring diversity to the fire service, standardize firefighter training, innovate recruitment processes, provide resources to locals and departments, and much more. Brian and Yvonne talk about the positive impact of the Cal-JAC on the fire service and the work ahead. 

Historic Legislative Wins

This was a historic legislative session for California firefighters. Listen in as CPF President Brian K. Rice shares testimony from members across the state that helped CPF-sponsored bills become law. 

Governor Newsom signed the landmark behavioral health bill package, an important step towards breaking the stigma around mental health that will save firefighter lives. The governor also signed the EMS dispatch services bill, keeping dispatch in the hands of public agencies.

The following new laws will go into effect in January 2020:

• AB1116 - Moves forward important confidentiality and peer support training to help ensure that firefighters are able to address their behavioral wellness.
• SB 542 - Creates a rebuttable post-traumatic stress injury presumption for firefighters in the state's workers' compensation system.
• SB 438 - Prohibits a public agency from outsourcing its local emergency dispatch services to a private, for profit industry.

Special Episode: Loss and Healing ft. Ashley Iverson

This episode features CPF President Brian K. Rice and Ashley Iverson.

Ashley's husband Cory was a CAL FIRE engineer and member of CAL Fire Local 2881. On December 14, 2017 Cory lost his life battling the Thomas Fire. Cory's sacrifice was honored at last year's California Firefighters Memorial. Brian and Ashley discuss the loss, the pathway to healing and the work Ashley is doing to honor Cory's memory. 

Ashley Iverson will be speaking at the 17th Annual California Firefighters Memorial on September 28, 2019. You can watch the livestream of the memorial at cafirefoundation.org/memorial

Suicide Awareness and Prevention in the Fire Service

This episode features CPF President Brian K. Rice and Assistant Chief, Oxnard Fire Department and Suicide Intervention Counselor Alex Hamilton. They discuss the impacts of the job on behavioral health, the need to break the stigma and the vital role peer support plays in getting firefighters the help they need. Tune into this podcast to learn the signs and resources that are available. If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1.800.273.8255

Personal Politics and Union Values

This episode features CPF President Brian K. Rice, Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522 Mike Feyh, LA County Firefighters Local 1014 Jason Cervantes and Kurt Kobler. All four come from very different points of view on the political spectrum and each are actively involved in their union.

Brian, Mike, Jason and Kurt discuss how personal politics and union involvement can coexist no matter where you are on the political spectrum.

Taking Stock and Looking Ahead

CPF President Brian K. Rice and Secretary – Treasurer Mike Lopez discuss the accomplishments of their first year in office and their vision for the future. From directly connecting to members in the field, to prioritizing Post-Traumatic Stress Injury legislation and providing trainings to locals. 

 

Moderator: CPF Communications Director Carroll Wills.

Legislative Priorities 2019

President Brian K. Rice and CPF Director of Governmental Affairs Christy Bouma discuss legislative priorities. 

Communications Strategy

President Brian K. Rice is joined by CPF Communications Director, Carroll Wills, and Deputy Communications Director, Fera Dayani to discuss the future of labor and tips to activate your membership.

Union Activism

Episode one is hosted by CPF President Brian Rice with special guests Nick Gracia, President of Daly City Firefighters Local 1879, and Brian Ursettie, President of Arcadia Firefighters Local 3440. The three leaders will discuss why each CPF member made the choice to get active in our union and the power of standing together to make the firefighter voice heard.