HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT
Staying the Course in Times of Crisis
California and the world are officially one year into the Coronavirus pandemic, and at a time of so many unknowns, frontline firefighters have gone the extra mile to keep Californians safe. In 2020, CPF members sacrificed time with their families, and often were quarantined, to keep them out of harm’s way. At the same time, they battled some of the worst wildfires our state has ever experienced.
As positive cases surged in California, hospitals were inundated with patients, so firefighters stepped in to provide mutual aid to our fellow frontline workers.
Protect yourself and your family: Vaccinate
The news of multiple vaccines now approved for use suggest the hope that California and the nation are finally turning the corner. CPF fought to ensure that firefighters were among the first to receive the vaccine, securing your place in Phase Tier 1A of distribution. As distribution began, CPF hosted a virtual town hall in January with three of California’s leading health experts to answer questions on vaccine safety and efficacy and help keep members informed. (Watch the COVID-19 Vaccine Town Hall at cpf.org/covid19)
It has become clear that emerging from the pandemic begins with getting communities vaccinated. As sworn public safety officers, firefighters have played an important role in leading the way. Now more than ever, communities are looking to firefighters to set the pace in this fight.
“If not for yourself or your family, get vaccinated for the thousands of lives lost, the lives of our own lost in this battle,” said CPF President Brian Rice. “If you haven’t already, please begin the process of getting vaccinated and encourage your fellow sisters and brothers so we can get through this together.”
Protecting Yourself on the Job: PPE and PER
The work firefighters have done, not only caring for patients with COVID-19 but going beyond the call of duty to staff hospitals and now administering vaccines has not gone unnoticed by state leaders. CPF is working to make sure that this holds for all areas affecting your health and safety.
Cal-OSHA has issued revised standards for firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE). These new standards are the result of CPF-sponsored legislation — AB 2144 (2014) — requiring Cal-OSHA to bring the state up to NFPA’s PPE standards. The comment period on the new regulations ended on March 18, 2021. CPF and numerous locals have made their views known, and CPF has worked through its own resources to make sure the firefighter voice is heard. You can stay current on the process through the Cal-OSHA page — dir.ca.gov/OSHSB/Firefighter-PPE.html
The prospect of a lingering pandemic and another potentially catastrophic wildfire season has also reinforced the importance of documenting exposures through CPF’s Personal Exposure Reporting (PER) system (PEROnline.org).
“PER is the best way to document any exposure that puts you at risk of job-related illness,” said Rice. “CPF has worked to continue developing this site to make reporting exposures simple and easy.”
As firefighters remain on the front lines, CPF is fighting for its members with health and safety at the forefront.