Despite a furious last-minute lobbying effort and a direct telephone pitch from firefighters across the state, the California Legislature adjourned early Saturday without approving desperately needed first responder legislation. But a unified California fire service is vowing to keep working to pass the Emergency Response Initiative, which would pump hundreds of millions into local and state fire protection services.
This year's California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony will commemorate 82 individuals who paid the ultimate price to keep our state safe. The annual Memorial Ceremony honors firefighters who died in the line of duty, either from traumatic injuries in the field or from job-related causes.
Please bookmark this page for updated information on the event as it becomes available.
On a sun-splashed morning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, the fire service gathered to say goodbye to the two of its finest … men who were, by any measure of the word, heroes. At a somber but inspiring ceremony, some 8,000 people paid tribute Saturday to fallen Los Angeles County firefighters Captain Ted Hall and Specialist Arnie Quinones.
At a time when the retirement security of California families is under attack, CalPERS firefighters can make their voices heard by participating in the CalPERS Board of Administration election. The California Public Employees' Retirement System has mailed out ballots for its 2009 election activities to fill two "Member at Large" seats on the CalPERS Board of Administration.
Despite our current economic crisis, California's endangered mutual aid system can be saved, through passage of the Emergency Response Initiative (ERI). This is the message that CPF President Lou Paulson and California Fire Chiefs Association President Sheldon Gilbert hammered home this week at the Joint Legislative Committee on Emergency Management hearing in San Diego.