6TH DISTRICT REPORT | TIM EDWARDS
Forty Years and More
The decision made in 1980 for CAL FIRE Local 2881 to join the CPF was a major move in the right direction for the men and women of CAL FIRE. Sometimes it is worthwhile to take a moment and let our brothers and sisters in the profession know how much we appreciate the pledge of solidarity we share. We believe very strongly that the voice of every firefighter in California is made stronger by local loyalties and the overarching leadership of CPF.
Forty years ago, it would have been inconceivable that firefighters would make the strides we have seen in wages, benefits, and conditions. No one ever doubts that the integral fabric of our society is held together by the public safety efforts of firefighters. Just as important, we have also seen firefighters take on greater clout in the social and political issues of our communities.
The firefighters of CAL FIRE Local 2881 are honored to be part of CPF. Please know that we understand how important it is to be supportive of our brothers and sisters. And please know that our door is always open.
Fire Budget
Every one of us has borne the burden of four fire seasons that were stunning in their scope. Billions of dollars have been spent in suppression and tens of billions of dollars have been lost in property damage to homes and businesses. Tragically, Californians have lost their lives in this age of drought, climate change, altering demographics, and unbridled development.
The state budget is both a financial document and a declaration of our priorities. We have noticed the trend that policymakers have focused their energies on compensating for the decades of ignoring vegetation management. There are some who believe that a new prioritization on prevention, limits the necessity to appropriately earmark resources for suppression.
We have been pleased that certain legislators who are far-sighted have inserted early-action funding into the budget that will enhance firefighter capacity. It only makes sense that those who are on the front line are able to work the kinds of shifts that does not endanger their mental and physical health.
All of us have spoken to our brothers and sisters who got the call in the middle of the night at the first of the month and found at month-end that they had not gotten a day off. The truth is that draconian working hours do not benefit anyone. We need to fund appropriately to take care of those who are on the front line taking care of our communities.
Seasonals
We have worked together to create a Firefighters’ Bill of Rights that allows our men and women to have protection during those difficult times when disciplinary action is taken. We understand that those situations are never unilateral. The possibility of an evidentiary hearing is a reality for many of our men and women.
However, CAL FIRE hires almost 2,000 seasonal firefighters. Many of them choose this lifestyle as a deliberate way of life and each year bring their expertise back to our profession. This year, we are working with legislators to bring those seasonal firefighters under the protection of the Bill of Rights. We believe it is morally right that every firefighter, regardless of their hourly distinction, be afforded the same rights when their future is at stake.
PPE
CAL FIRE has been forced to purchase their uniforms from the Prison Authority. In some instances, the long fire seasons and the onerous working conditions, have revealed the quality of the garments do not meet the challenge. We are working with a former firefighter, Assemblyman Heath Flora, to give firefighters an option.
The legislation would allow firefighters to continue to purchase from the prison authorities or from another source where they have confidence in the product. We are opposed to prison authority efforts, but we cannot think of any other like purchases where we would not want to look at more than one source.
Bob Ford
Twenty-five years ago, CAL FIRE Local 2881 named their convention after 73-year-old Bob Ford, our rank-and-file director and an extraordinary man who could trace his affiliation to CAL FIRE back to his teenage days. He dedicated his life to the union and was an inspiring, enlightened, enjoyable, and caring human being. No one ever met Bob Ford and did not come away feeling better for the experience.
In hindsight, we did not have to hurry to name the convention after Bob. He had a lot of life in him. We lost Bob recently. He went home to his reward at the age of 98. He was, however, not the oldest member of our union family. That honor belongs to his twin brother, Dick, who survives his beloved brother and also spent part of his professional life with CAL FIRE.
We expect another difficult fire season. Be safe.