Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger continues to move away from the harsh attacks on firefighter retirement security that characterized his first two years in office.The governor this week has announced he is supporting a series of bipartisan recommendations aimed at protecting public employee pension and retiree health benefits.
Nearly 1,000 people came together in San Rafael Tuesday to remember Southern Marin FD Deputy Chief Jeff Powers. The loyal member of Marin Professional Firefighters Local 1775 died June 26th of a heart attack while on duty at the firehouse.
Lawyers representing the city of Vallejo have asked the courts to validate their attempt to renege on commitments made to their employees, including their firefighters. In a filing before state bankruptcy court, the city sought the unprecedented step of canceling all of its collective bargaining agreements.
As the battle continues to rage against a rash of devastating wildland fires, a 63-year-old volunteer firefighter for the Anderson Valley Fire Department has died on the lines. Robert Roland, a retired aerospace executive, collapsed while helping to lay hose line at a fire complex near Philo. He died later at an area hospital. Roland is the second California firefighter to have died after battling the blazes -- Newport Beach FF Kevin Pryor died of a brain hemorrhage less than a day after returning from the Humboldt Fire.
During the hot summer, the risks of heat exhaustion and heat stroke increase. A new CalOSHA warning about heat stress is especially important for firefighters as fire season kicks into high gear in Northern California.