Marin Firefighter News

California Professional Firefighters has lost two members this week, both to hard fought battles with cancer.

 Warning of the "growing cost" associated with California's rapid development and urbanization of the wildlands, the Los Angeles Times this week editorialized in support of the CPF-backed Emergency Response Initiative. The Times said the proposal was "reasonable" and reflected a level of burden-sharing that is appropriate in a disaster-prone state.

Hundreds of firefighters and friends from throughout California gathered in Riverside to say a last farewell to a fallen colleague. Riverside City Firefighter Eric Botkin died late last year at the age of 41 from job-related cancer.

Members of Modesto City Firefighters Local 1289 continue to stand vigil as two Modesto firefighters remain hospitalized after being injured fighting a weekend house fire. Engineers Jim Adams and Jason “JD” Clevenger fell through the roof of a well-involved central Modesto. Adams suffered serious burns over 40-45% of his body, but his airway was undamaged and he suffered no other injuries. Clevenger suffered burns over 10% of his body, but is expected to be released within a few days. 

When Vincent J. Bollon became a New York firefighter and IAFF member, Ike was in the White House, Elvis was in the army and Barack Obama hadn't been born. Today, General President Harold Schaitberger announced that Bollon was retiring from his post as IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer, effective January 15. Bollon served more than two decades as IAFF's chief financial officer, and nearly 35 years as an active IAFF leader.