PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE | BRIAN K. RICE
Partnerships, Problem Solving and Politics
Throughout its long history, CPF has proven its chops in the hardscrabble world of governmental advoacy. Whether it is “under the dome” at the State Capitol or in the backwaters of the state’s regulatory boards and commissions, CPF is generally regarded as one of the most potent and effective forces working on behalf of its members.
CPF doesn’t just have a seat at the table. In many circumstances, we are setting the menu.
Perhaps the best example of where we are making a difference is in the transformation of state-level EMS. Our AB 450 from last year creates a new state-level paramedic licensing board – with actual firefighter paramedics on it – to bring balance and fairness to the disciplinary process. Our firefighters are also guiding the process of 2020’s community paramedicine law (AB 1544) and a working group aimed at easing the crippling paramedic ER wait times (“wall time”).
Much as I’d like to say it’s all me, the truth is that the success we’ve had for our members has come from a focus on three areas where I feel we excel.
PROBLEM-SOLVING:
CPF’s governmental advocacy isn’t about getting more notches on the gun belt. Our bottom-up leadership structure means we engage on issues that address day-to-day problems facing our members. Unreasonable workers’ compensation denials, paramedic wait times, unfair discipline, as well as staffing, safety, retirement and due-process issues. These are where we choose to exert our efforts, and where our influence is most keenly felt.
PARTNERSHIPS:
Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to cement alliances – with law enforcement, management and labor – that have pushed our agenda forward. Our SB 850, co-sponsored with the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, eased an unnecessary burden on the survivors of our fallen. CPF has developed close working ties with CalChiefs on issues ranging from EMS reform to private for-profit fire agencies. And our long-standing and deep connection with organized labor helped CPF kill legislation that would have imposed a statewide vaccine mandate on our members.
POLITICS:
None of our success … I mean none of it … happens if we aren’t involved in politics. It’s just that simple. Our active and strategic political action has given us a firefighter-friendly governor and legislature that listens to the concerns we bring them and joins the partnerships we create. Moreover, on key decisions affecting our members’ health and futures, we are in “the room where it happens.”
There is one more “p” without which CPF, and our members’ interest, would be lost: personnel. For as long as any of us can remember, CPF has had the best governmental and political action operations in the business.
From our talented and relentless governmental advocacy and political action teams, to our engaged and supportive executive board, to your local leadership, firefighters have a unique and powerful voice in the halls of power.
As we move forward, we will continue to “bring the heat” for the benefit of you, your family and the communities you protect.