Marin Firefighter News

Marin Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1775, regrets to inform our membership and families of the passing of Brother Michael Thomas Ortelle, Sr. (Mill Valley Fire Department, Alto Richardson bay Fire Protection District, Southern Marin Fire Protection District).  Mike continued to represent and serve his brothers and sisters in the fire servcie after his retirement as he battled ALS, becoming a spokesperson for MDA, the IAFF's primary charitable cause, and helping thousands struggling with ALS and Muscular Dystrophy.

Born April 14, 1960, the son of the late John and Evelyn Ortelle, Mike passed peacefully, January 2, 2017 surrounded by his wife and children.  Michael served his community at Wilmar Volunteer Fire, Mill Valley Fire, Alto Richardson Bay, and Southern Marin Fire Districts for over 25 years and continued that service in retirement as a Police Chaplain for the Petaluma Police Department, serving with his brothers in blue up until his very last days.  Mike also served his church family at Calvary Chapel Petaluma for many years.  Mike’s greatest joys were his family and friends.

The Tiburon Firefighters Association voted to affiliate with Marin Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1775.  The Tiburon Firefighters will now be recognized as the Tiburon Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1775.

The Tiburon Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1775 are the last professional firefighter Association in Marin to affiliate with the Marin Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 1775.

Marin Professional Firefighters brought the 3rd annual Scoop night to Lappert's Ice Cream Parlor in Sausalito, raising awareness and funds to help fight Breast Cancer.  The IAFF's October Breast Cancer Awareness program is chaired in Marin by Jeff Endaya of San Rafael Fire Department.  Volunteering with Jeff this year are Andrew Lappert, Jordan Russell (Corte Madera FD), Ryan Day (Larkspur FD), Nick Gonzalez-Pomo, and Esteban Cespedes (San Rafael FD.)

Lappert's Ice Cream was a great host for the Scoop Night. Marin's Firefighters thank Michael Lappert for his support an generos\ity to help promote Breast Cancer Awareness!

Dear IAFF Member,

By now, you have probably seen images of the massive wildfire that is currently raging in the city of Fort McMurray, in northern Alberta, Canada, and are thinking about our Local 2494 members who are doing their job protecting the city and its citizens while their own families and homes are at risk.