4TH DISTRICT REPORT | VINCE WELLS

THE 2024 ELECTION SAW major steps forward for many District 4 locals. San Francisco Fire Fighters, Local 798, reversed pension cutting scheme for the younger generation of firefighters by passing Proposition H – a huge win that should help set the stage for future efforts to achieve better retirement parity.

Santa Clara City Firefighters, Local 1171, passed a $400 million bond measure to fund fire facilities and firefighting equipment.

Professional Firefighters of Sonoma County, Local 1401, landed a major victory in the primary election with the passage of the Measure H sales tax to improve funding for wildfire prevention and firefighter staffing.

Congrats to those locals and every other CPF local that won their priority elections for ballot measures, city council, and county boards of supervisors.

Bay Area firefighters also have several important political fights coming up even before the 2026 election season takes shape.

San Jose Fire Figthers, Local 230, has a major campaign fight occurring in the District 3 special election as they work with Labor to build toward a pro-public services majority on their City Council. That election is April 8 with a June 24 runoff if necessary, and Gabriela Chavez-Lopez is the pro-firefighter candidate.

Oakland/Alameda County Firefighters, Local 55, faces an April 15 special election for Mayor after Sheng Thao was recalled by the city’s voters last November. Local 55 is supporting former Congresswoman Barbara Lee for Mayor.

And Contra Costa County Professional Firefighters, Local 1230, is educating voters in the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District about a harmful effort to repeal Measure O, a 2016 tax measure that helps fund fire protection in the area. Repealing Measure O would likely result in the closure of a fire station, so if you’re a voter in the area, please stand with Local 1230 by refusing to sign the petition to put a Measure O repeal on the ballot.