California firefighters and fire departments can now obtain the latest in online EMS training from the National Paramedic Institute (NPI) at a discount, thanks to a new partnership agreement between IAFF, NPI, and California Professional Firefighters.
The unprecedented natural disaster risk facing California has prompted the California Blue Ribbon Task Force to recommend increases in permanent state and local emergency services, building additional response to meet catastrophic needs, and a new commitment to fire-safe construction and land-use planning.
The needs of California firefighters were a major focus of attention for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at a community meeting in San Diego on Jan. 17th where he strongly defended his proposal to significantly improve the ability of firefighters to respond to devastating wildland fires like last fall's southern California firestorm.
Even though his latest attack on pensions has failed to qualify for the ballot, former assemblyman and failed statewide candidate Keith Richman has promised to renew his bid to qualify an initiative that would dramatically roll back retirement security for firefighters, law enforcement and other hard-working Californians.
California Professional Firefighters is backing Governor Schwarzenegger's proposal to improve our state's fire response capability. The governor's budget includes a plan to add more than 100 new mutual aid fire engines, all pre-positioned with local governments and immediately available for response to major fires, as well as stable, permanent funding to fully staff CALFIRE engine companies.