With California’s mutual aid system stressed to the breaking point by local budget rollbacks, California’s first responders took the issue directly to state lawmakers on Wednesday. Their pitch: Pass the Emergency Response Initiative.
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.