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VOL. 50, No. 6 November / December 2012
In our last issue of The Los Angeles Firefighter we had several articles urging you to vote No On Proposition 32. By the time this paper arrives at your door you will be eligible to send in your absentee ballot and Vote No on 32. It does not matter what party affiliation you are. All firefighters can agree that Prop 32 is bad for workers. Voting No on 32 is quite possibly one of the most important votes of your career. If this Proposition passes it will be devastating to firefighters and workers across the state. Across the Country legislators are watching the California election to see if the workers voice will be silenced. Collective bargaining was attacked in Wisconsin and Ohio and now workers are once again under attack in California. We urge you to spread to word to friends and family to vote No on Proposition 32. Prop 32 is not what it seems. It was intentionally written to create special exemptions for billionaire businessmen, giving them even more political power to write their own set of rules. Prop 32 exempts secretive Super PACs, which can raise unlimited amounts of money from corporate special interests and billionaire businessmen to support their favored candidates and defeat their enemies. Corporations already outspend labor 15 to 1 on political expenditures; public safety and law enforcement officials cannot afford to lose their voice in local com-
munities and state government. Prop 32 will effectively silence the collective voice of police, firefighters, and all the organizations that advocate on behalf of our public safety professionals -- those who stand on the front lines to fight for our public safety system every day. If corporate special interests were allowed free rein over the state of California to do as they please, wed see the public safety issues we care about the most pushed to the side. Issues like: Fighting to keep firefighters and police on the job Reducing the risks of dangerous work with worker safety laws Providing the best possible safety equipment Halting the increase in emergency response times Protecting our benefits to ensure our families are taken care of Prop 32 is a one-two punch -- the special interests funding Prop 32 are targeting the voices of public safety professionals today, and next theyll target the issues we care about most. Well respected organizations like the California Professional Firefighters, Los Angeles Police Protective League, Peace Officers Research Association of California, Safety Employee Benefit Association and dozens of other public safety associations have joined together to oppose Prop 32. Its bad for public safety and bad for California. For more information go to: www.VoteNoOn32.com
LAFD Crew 3 is a Volunteer Type II Handcrew managed by the Los Angeles Fire Department. Crew 3 is currently organized as a Wildland Cadet Post. Crew 3 Members receive wildland classes and hands-on training as well as career guidance to help with successful careers in the Fire Service. Crew 3 is managed and run by LAFD Members with extensive wild land training and handcrew experience.
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By Adam Knabe
It has been a few newspaper issues since I published an article, but with my term as your Secretary coming to an end I want to say a few things. First and foremost, I want to say thank you to all the members that had enough faith in me to elect me this last term. I hope I have not let you down, yet served you by meeting your expectations. These have been a rough two years for all of us. We have suffered through brownouts, loss of overtime, position eliminations, company closures, lack of leadership in certain areas, fighting between offices, and in-fighting amongst ranks. No doubt about it, the last few years have left many scars. The one thing that has prevailed are the boots on the ground, going out each day as that alarm rings and getting the job done although, even that has taken a hit. When have you heard of so many members leaving this job, and so happy to be going? Members that have put their blood, sweat and tears into this job, sacrificed so much, and yet dont even want to look back. It is truly sad!! This is not what I remember seeing as a kid growing up around the fire house. What has caused this? Well, I know we all have our own opinions as to whom or what is to blame, but my hope is that these members stay and help restore this great Department! A well respected and admired engineer just transferred into my station and asked me a simple question. He knows I am studying for Captain and he asked me, Adam, why are you studying for Captain. Why would you want that position? I thought about it long and hard. I thought about my oral interview answer, and then I just spoke what I believe in my heart. Seeing this Department going through all these catastrophic changes and heading in who knows what direction, I realize that from my current seat I am not in a position to change anything. Yes, I go out on my truck
Secretarys
company, or rescue, daily and try to have the best impact on civilian lives as I can, but as far as the fellas go, I dont have much of an impact. As an Officer, I hope to provide just that. I might not have control over the Department and its actions, but within my four walls, I can make up for what the Department is lacking. I can provide direction, leadership and compassion for the members serving under me. I can do my best to improve their morale on a daily basis. There is something to be said for the old adage of a Captains responsibility. His job is to make sure his crew is fed, paid, and goes home safe. Sitting from my seat as your Secretary and representing some of you in the discipline process, I see how important many of our positions are on the Fire Department. Many people think they cant make an impact, or just because the Department is making things a certain way, that everything is out of their hands. Wrong! Each and every one of us can bring something to the table to build morale and/or better our team by filling in the void spaces where our Department is lacking. These past two years many of you have shown me we still have a family on this job. I have seen our members pull together to help a brother struggling with a sick child. I have seen a station take money out of their own pockets and rebuild a car for a guy who was traveling to and from a hospital to take a child for life saving treatment. I have seen members take countless hours and money out of their pockets to send a WWII Veteran (non-LAFD member) on a plane ride aboard an old B-17 and escort him there on an old fire truck, just to say thank you to a Veteran who has helped give us our freedom. I have seen Captains go above and beyond to help members through a discipline process that so badly needs to be corrected; a process that is so out of control, it is taking our finest members and making them disgruntled. My hope is that our newest PSD Commander will do as good of a job as I think he will, and bring the changes needed to restore faith in the system. The list of great gestures goes on and on, and it is nice to be able to say there are still old school guys out there. Many people have called me or run into me and ask why I am not running for re-election. Well, first off that is a very humbling compliment and I thank you again for your support, but there are many reasons I am not running, and I will gladly chat with anyone who is wondering why. This is a position that takes an extraordinary amount of time and effort to do a good job at it. Time that takes away from other areas such as: family. Although I have had an incredibly supportive wife (and children) these past years, it is time I refocus my priorities. My slate ran on several visions for what we wanted to accomplish, some of which we were successful at, but many we were not. Why? I can only speculate. Was it because the Republicans and Democrats were trying to get things accomplished at the same Board table? Or was it lack of relationships between offices? I dont know that we will ever know the exact reasons. Regardless, I hope that I was able to better the situation of any member I had personal interaction with. I want nothing but the best for this membership and UFLAC as an organization. I hope that the 2013-2014 UFLAC Board will remain focused on the tasks at hand and keep in mind their missions true propose, To serve the Members. I hope they work on relationships between our office and the Administration, COA and Cityhall. Without these relationships, it is like navigating a submarine blindfolded, without a crew, and thinking I can do it all myself. This concept of relationships extends well beyond the four walls of UFLAC. This
Photo By Mike Meadows, EPN is a concept or strategy that could of boots on the ground serving assist each one of us on a daily with morals, values and respect basis in the fire house. Whether and I hope it continues to be conit is a working relationship with tagious. the members of your station, beI could not write this final artween the crews, neighboring sta- ticle without mentioning two tions, or battalions, relationships individuals that truly keep the are key to success. Each citizen operations at the UFLAC office you encounter when you go out going. These ladies are in that those doors or answer each phone office on a daily basis, from open call is a possible vote for your fu- to close. Whenever I was down ture well being. Treat each per- there I know they would be there son you meet as if they were your elbows deep in work. If you have family member. Assist that old ever called or gone into the office lady (can I say old or is that of- I know you have benefited from fending her protected class? sorry their hard work. Those ladies are just kidding) off the ground as if Maria Riggs and Gail Winkles. she was your Grandmother. Next time you see or talk to them, Our job is pretty easy when a thank you is definitely waryou think about it. Go out and ranted. They were instrumental do the right thing! It works every to my operation there on a daily time. I had a discussion with one basis. of our members recently when he So in closing, this experience came into our office. It was so as your Secretary has taught me encouraging to hear that I want to a lot, I hope you got out of my give him the credit. FFPM Ste- service half of what I learned ven Smith (FS94), son of our own serving you. A special thank you Chief Pilot Glenn Smith, talked to the members on the Board that to me about his experiences and taught me and assisted me these mentality as a firefighter/para- last two years, whether it was medic. He talked about the op- getting me up to speed through a portunity he has (yes the term is steep learning curve or listening opportunity) to positively affect to me vent about the politics I ensomeones life on a daily basis countered, I couldnt have done it each time he goes out those doors. without you. You know who you It was refreshing to hear a young are. member of the Department, at an To the members of UFLAC, incredibly busy assignment, still keep doing a great job. Keep have the compassion to help oth- your people safe, keep their moers no matter what time of day or rale high and dont forget no matwhat number call he is on, and ter what comes down the pipe, to serve with respect. This was its because of the fellas in the so encouraging because I know fire house that this is still the best he is not the only one with these darn job in the world! values. This Department is full
LAFD Supply & Maintenance Division with the assistance of Rosie Tavera, Sr Clerk Typist went above and beyond during the LAFD / Local 112 - Think Pink Campaign. Not only did they have great participation at S&M but they also raised a great deal of fundraising money. A cake was made for the funddraising and awareness event. They also made up special flyers at the shops to encourage others to participate and make donations. The response of all the LAFD work locations was inspiring. Thank you to all those who participated and made this campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness month a success.
LAFD S&M Goes Above & Beyond for Breast Cancer Awareness
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Inasmuch as I am not running for re-election for president of our union, this article will be the last of many that I have written for this page of the Los Angeles Firefighter. The one thing I want to convey right here and now, is that it has been my great pleasure and honor to have served LAFD firefighters in this capacity for eight rewarding years. I will also say that the job and its responsibilities have not been easy...but I never expected that they would be. The last four years were especially tough. As we all know, the worldwide economic crisis which began in 2008 hit the City of Los Angeles and LAFD firefighters very hard. We UFLAC leaders took it very personally, and weve done everything in our power to soften the blows. We fought hard to negotiate the best contracts with the least painful concessions that could possibly be wrangled from a cynical boss who seemed at times to enjoy taking advantage of a bad situation. We worked hand-inhand with the Police Protective League to ensure that the inevitable pension reform for L.A.s cops and firefighters would leave current and future members with the retirement security that they so richly deserve. And back when the Mayor and his Fire Chief first cut staffing and closed companies, we went public with our concerns for your safety and that of the people you serve. It was especially gratifying during that difficult time to see how many Local 112 members got it, understanding that the only sensible course was to stick together, to put personal agendas aside, and to support our common cause. Thank you for that. Its been bittersweet to have been proven right about the negative affects that company closures had and are still having on response times and public safety. Local 112 said it would happen, the Mayor and his Fire Chiefs insisted that it wouldnt...and then
of course it did. And when their lies were exposed, they were exposed in a big way...seemingly in every newspaper, on every TV channel and all across the radio airwaves. If you ask me, the guys in the dark suits came away from that episode looking foolish, uncaring about peoples safety, and downright dishonest. They should have listened to us in the first place. Looking forward, I am encouraged by the small progress weve made toward what I hope will one day be the full restoration of LAFD staffing. It has been UFLAC alone pressing the case for adequate staffing these past four years. And it was us who earlier this year convinced the City Council to amend the Mayors most recent budget in two significant ways: First, we got them to instruct the Department to develop a plan to restore resources and positions gradually, over the next five years. Second, we convinced them to commit that all new money derived from ambulance transport and/or medical treatment will go back to the LAFD for these restorations. And we expect that dollar amount to be significant in the coming years thanks to new state and federal legislation that your union fought for. I know that I will be retired from the LAFD long before our full restoration is complete, but I am confident that it will happen if union members want it bad enough. Ive always believed that ultimately union members get the Union that they deserve... meaning that union leaders will be about as appropriately focused and effective as are those who elect them and stand behind them. If UFLACs membership wants LAFD staffing fully restored, and if they are willing to back up their leaders and work toward that goal in real unity, then they will succeed just as we did in the last decade on the return of Inside Firefighters and the protection of 2-paramedic staffing on ambulances.
Honored To Serve
In the meantime and always, I urge all of you to make good choices when it comes to your union. Pick good leaders...firefighters whose only motivation is the sense of reward they feel when they stick up for rank-andfile union members. Choose people who are willing to take on the boss whenever he or she takes on firefighters, and will do so without blinking. And after you pick these leaders, stand behind them and support what they do for you. Be politically active, participate in Local 112s open endorsement process, and always support your Unions candidates and causes. Remember that every big decision about your profession that effects your health, your safety, or your familys wellbeing is made by an elected official. If you sit on the sidelines and let the enemies of working people pick them, you will be sorry. Of course in an organization our size we are always going to have a few selfish individuals. Its up to the rest of us to put a stop to their antics. I hope that in the future UFLAC members wont tolerate any more backstabbing or featherbedding by management-lovers within our ranks. You know who they are: They are the guys who take care of themselves first and who love to demonstrate their loyalty to the boss at everyone elses expense. Most of them eventually worm themselves into positions of authority, believing that it shields them from criticism or questioning. I urge you to criticize them, question them, and shame them into good behavior and solidarity. If we arent willing to do that, we allow them to continue harming the hard working men and women of the LAFD who battle in the trenches. Always remember that top LAFD brass works for us, not the other way around. That is so because our labor the work of rank-and-file firefighters and paramedics is the only thing that accomplishes the mission of the fire department. The risks
By Pat McOsker
Photo By Rick McClure that we are willing to take for house, be a strong voice for solithe the people of Los Angeles darity and for brotherhood and in the streets and in their homes sisterhood. Be someone who al is the only reason that there is ways sticks up for another union an LAFD, and the only reason member, no matter what, and no that your bosses have jobs. The matter who is messing with him brass is cashing in on your blood, or her. Be a team player who is sweat and tears, and we should always proud of what you see in never hesitate to remind them of the firehouse mirror each mornit. Perhaps it will cause a few of ing before you head home to famthem to focus more on supporting ily. the troops. And please work as safely as I suppose this last article of you can in the worlds most danmine is more than anything, a gerous profession and the counplea to all of you to continue in trys most challenging city. The the years ahead to build the stron- hardest moments of my presigest possible Local 112. I know dency were those spent dealing from intimate experience that our with the losses of so many beUnion is the only reason that we loved brothers and sisters. Sadly, enjoy so many of the things that we buried more than two dozen we do now. Without the decades- active LAFD firefighters during long fight of Local 112, the CPF those eight years. I hope that we and the IAFF on behalf of LAFD never have to say goodbye to anfirefighters, our pay would be other hero before he or she has a fraction of what it is now, our enjoyed a long and happy retirebenefits would be paper-thin, job ment, but I know that it will happrotections for firefighters would pen. Please cut down on the odds be non-existent, our safety would that it might be you or someone be jeopardized by inadequate you work with, by insisting that staffing and other shortcomings, everyone on your crew follow and a secure retirement would be every safety procedure. Never just a pipe dream. stop looking out for one another... So get involved in your union always have each others back... whenever and wherever you can. never leave anyone behind...that Dont take for granted that some- is the union way. one else will do it if you dont. Consider being the UFLAC steward for your station. In the fire-
Never stop looking out for one another...always have each others back...never leave anyone behind...that is the union way.
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By Frank Lima
Overhauls Cancer-Safety I have been working closely with our LAFDs Risk Management section for months to see how the Union and Management collectively can improve Firefighter safety now and in the future. We have made great strides by having our LAFD Safety Officer contribute to our union newspaper in the recent past. This is in an effort to create a healthier work environment and secure better odds against cancer causing carcinogens. We are specifically working on reducing our Firefighters unnecessary exposure to carcinogens in the non-emergency post structure fire activity we call overhaul. For years, our members have worked tirelessly during the emergency phase wearing SCBA and full personal protective equipment. Afterward, during the overhaul phase, our Firefighters remove the SCBAs and enter the structure to clean it up. It is the dangerous exposure to cancer causing elements in this phase, when our Firefighters are most vulnerable, that puts our members at most risk for line of duty exposure deaths. Because this is how our Department has done overhauls for decades without SCBAs, it will be a culture change to find and implement a better, safer way to complete that portion of our duties. Another positive change will be to keep our turnout/bunker gear out of our bedroom areas, the kitchen, and recreation/ training rooms. These areas are where we eat, sleep, and train. They should be safe areas in our firehouse. Why do we continue to unnecessarily bring carcinogens embedded in our protective clothing into our safe areas in the firehouse? Our careers already have us exposed to enough toxins and deadly hazards. We hope the support of this upcoming change will lead to self-monitoring and prompting of co-workers, because it is our collective health at stake.
Pension attacks The recent passage of AB 340 in Sacramento is the most sweeping pension reform Bill in California state history. This signals that the attacks on firefighters/police officers and public safety workers as a whole are still alive and well. AB 340 does not affect us in here in Los Angeles City, because we are a Charter City with our own pension system (L.A. Fire and Police Pension-LAFPP) and we have been carved out. Dont think for a minute though that they will want to do that to us here in Los Angeles at the local level in the future. We (the UFLAC leadership) will be prepared to fight for what we have (DROP program), want to keep, and to fight for things that currently are in question right now (medical subsidy). Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan (who is a proponent for Yes on PROP 32) is currently starting a signaturegathering campaign to slash our pension and benefits here in the City of Los Angeles. That is why it is imperative your UFLAC leadership continues to fight to preserve our sacred pension benefits that we have dutifully earned, and position our labor organization towards the future. Pink Shirts-Breast Cancer I spoke at the City Hall pressconference kicking off the breast cancer awareness (LAFD Goes Pink) and announcing the partnership between your Union and LAFD management. Many thanks go out to our members for their participation, LAFD management for amending the uniform standards for several days to create awareness while fostering camaraderie, and our unbelievably generous donors who helped with the seed money to purchase the LAFD Pink Breast Cancer t-shirts. All net proceeds will directly benefit the American Cancer Society. Also, I would like personally express my gratitude to the committee
CPF Mobile Application Get the most from your CPF membership. Available for iPhone, iPad and Android smartphones. The California Professional Firefighters app offers CPF members and their affiliated local unions an important link to the California fire service and a valuable resource on everything that affects a firefighters life on the job. Keep track of the latest news about legislation and issues around the state impacting the lives and livelihoods of front line first responders; Special members only login giving members exclusive access to CPFs Campaign 2012 page, with information on the fight against Prop. 32. Follow incident updates fromaround the state and na-
tion; Get information on line-of-duty deaths and the California Firefighters Memorial; Carry your own digital pocket guide to the Firefighters Bill of Rights; Get information on all the services CPF provides to its members. The CPF Mobile App for iPhone and iPad is available at the iTunes App Store and for Android smartphones at Google Play. Register for Member Only Features As a CPF member, you have access to special features, including Campaign 2012 updates, CPF endorsements and special offers. You can register for the Member Only feature by CLICKING HERE or by going to the Cam-
LAFD and UFLAC - Think Pink Press Conference members that worked tirelessly union political activity. at a fiscally reasonable price. on this effort. It rejuvenated many LDF Safety members I saw in the firehouses We are looking into the Continue to try your best to be and walking the hallways at city opportunity for members to join safe, even though we continue hall. some type of Legal Defense to be tremendously understaffed PROP 32 GOTV Fund (LDF) in the near future. (Hardclosure Plan) in the field This is the last push to Get I wrote an article about the LDF and in the Fire Prevention Bureau. Out To Vote. Hopefully you have earlier this year in one of my We are doing more with less, already received and mailed in past articles. It will provide you which creates a more stressful your absentee ballot. If you do with an opportunity for much work environment. Worst of all, not vote by absentee, then make better protection in the legal our Department (under its current sure you hit the polling location arena, and specific professional deployment model) is designed to and vote. representation for all arenas operate inefficiently. Remember We have flooded you with (Paramedic/EMT licensure issues, to take care of yourself through information for NO on PROP 32 Boards of Rights, Attorneys our wellness program; exercising via bulletins, work location visits, involved when necessary). The and eating right. Relieve your phone banking, etc. We have all cost will be minimal, but the stress, and use our Employee paid out over $110 dollars each insurance protection will be top Assistance Program (EAP) if (per capita) to fight this unfair notch. I currently am chairing a necessary. Stay safe out there, and and deceptive proposition. PROP UFLAC Committee where work remember the 5 Fs; your Faith, 32 will have a negative impact on is currently underway to find the Family, Friends, Fun, and Fire your financial future, and it will perfect defense package for you, Department. have a negative impact on your with a program similar to the ability to provide an education for Police Protective Leagues (PPL), your children. Moreover, many of the things we currently enjoy such as collective bargaining, cancer presumptive law, DROP/Pension, OSHA safety protections, among others will fall like dominoes if it passes! Please vote NO on 32 and spread the word! The proponents of PROP 32 are deceptive people that seek to have the Corporations monopolize the economy, thereby dissolving the working middle class, restricting our scope of collective bargaining, limiting the prevailing wage requirements, and preventing and restricting 9/11 Memorial with Jim Featherstone (Former UFLAC Director)
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Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department were part of history in October as Los Angeles welcomed the Space Shuttle Endeavour to its new home in Los Angeles. LAFD Members were standing by as the Endeavour flew over many Los Angeles Landmarks and finally landed at LAX Airport. A convoy of LAFD apparatus escorted the Endeavor off the runway to a United Hangar to be prepared for the 12-mile journey to its final resting place at the California Science Center. The California Science Center Foundation and various State and City agencies - including the Los Angeles Fire Department, worked together for months to plan for the safe movement of Endeavour.
CaliforniaScienceCenter.org
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Dr. Don Stewart HEALTH AND SAFETY While at the NFPA 1710 Committee in DC and our session ended early Rich Duffy from the IAFF arraigned a personal tour of the Fairfax County medical facility. The facility and staff is a direct product of the Fire Service Joint Labor Management Wellness-Fitness Initiative. Doctor Donald Stewart and staff were very helpful, they shared with me the level of care they can do at their medical facility. The wellness-fitness program that they adopted was a collaborative effort between labor and management and is educational and rehabilitative and not punitive in nature. Some of the examinations that are performed are: Physical exams,
The IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Foundation was founded in 1976 to recognize and honor past and future professional fire fighters and emergency medical personnel who are killed in the line of duty and to provide funds and assistance to the surviving spouses and children of those members. In 1986, the IAFF completed a permanent tribute to its members, the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The centerpiece of the Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial is a bronze likeness of a fire fighter descending a ladder while cradling an infant in one arm. Towering 20 feet above the parks surface, Somewhere, Everyday epitomizes the courage and bravery displayed daily by professional fire fighters across the continent. In 1989, the IAFF
erected the first of two granite walls to bear the names of fallen IAFF members. The names of brothers and sisters killed in the line of duty have been etched here since. Although thousands have died throughout our unions history, the names on this wall date back only through 1976, when the U.S. federal government first began tracking line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. Additional upgrades over the final years of the 20th century transformed this tribute to our fallen family members into a memorial of international stature. Paving stone, monument lighting, flag standards and walkways now beautify this hallowed place, creating an atmosphere of dignity and reverence for all who visit. As the original wall has filled to near capacity with names of fallen heroes, a second wall was
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On September 10th & 11th we held our first Elder Care Workshop. Our first presenter, Janet Morris, Esq. from Bet Tzedek Legal Services covered legal preparation for the future from the perspective of senior care. However she also had a
wealth of information on legal preparations in the event of emergencies that we all need to be aware of. The Alzheimers Association provided two presentations. The first talk was on the disease of Alzheimers, whats happening in the brain. They also had a great deal of information on other forms of dementia and memory loss, how they relate to Alzheimers and how they present different circumstances. The second presentation covered practical information on how do you take care of someone who is losing the ability to care for themselves and cant help you to care for them. We also had a presentation by Sharon Miller, M.Ed., CEAP, LDAC on the 10 most important issues and needs that we need
EAP
interested in attending and were unable to attend this workshop, please give us a call in the EAP (800)252-8352, and let us know of your interest. If there are issues youd like more information about, and arent covered by the
above presentations, wed like to know this also. In planning services to meet the needs of our members were always interested in knowing what issues you and your families are dealing with so we can plan accordingly.
Veterans
exceptional support of our national defense through leadership practices and personnel policies that support their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. More than 25 LAFD members both sworn and civilian also received awards, such as the Seven Seals Award, the Above and Beyond Award, and the Patriot Award at the well-attended ceremony. Through the active support of our members who serve in two uniforms, and by encouraging the continued employment of Veter-
an, Guard and Reservists, LAFD capitalizes on the skills and experience that we, as a nation, have greatly invested. Together we serve by honoring the sacrifices of those who serve to protect our freedom. Nominations for the 2013 ESGR Secretary of Defense Freedom Award open in November. If you want to know more, please visit www.FreedomAward.mil. Note from Dave Wagner: Currently, LAFDs own FF/ PM Scott Carter is serving in Afghanistan. He is providing CMO
(civil military operations) support to conventional and special operations forces, and advising and assisting Afghans with building and improving civil infrastructure, foreign internal defense, and local governance. Yeah, its a mouth full! We salute you Scott and look forward to you coming home next year. If you want to write to Scott, please send letters to: SGT CARTER S. A/426 Civil Affairs BN (ABN) Kandahar Air Field, KAF APO AE 09355
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day for the LAFD. Every October, the LAFD gathers in Hollywood, at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial outside of the LAFD Museum. Fire officials speak. Historians remember. Taps are played. Bells are rung and names are read. And we remember. We remember that every day is a special day for the people who live in Los Angeles. The weather is nearly always perfect. The ocean is close by. The clubs are filled with party-goers. The film industry cranks out blockbusters. And the LAFD responds - every day, 24/7/365. And every one of its 3,400+ members wears a badge that reads LAFD. That
badge represents a commitment - a commitment to give up their life at any time to protect lives and property. Thats why we remember. The Museum and Memorial
Plaza are open every weekend from 10A to 4P in Hollywood. Please visit and discover the remarkable history of the Los Angeles Fire Department. www.lafdmuseum.org
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It took 125 Los Angeles Firefighters nearly two hours to fully extinguish a major emergency blaze in a three-story office building near Echo Park on October 9, 2012. One firefighter sustained minor burns to his neck during the relentless battle to quell the flames. We were fortunate that we had
LAFD in Action
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LAFD in Action
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9/11 Rememberance
In many ways, it is hard to believe that eleven years have passed since our nation was savagely attacked on September 11, 2001. While time moves forward, it no way lessens the resolve of firefighters who now as then loudly pledge: We Shall Never Forget! The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department gathered for a trio of Patriot Day public events on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 at three separate locations. By Brian Humphrey, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Dept
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Legislative
The Legislature has adjourned for 2011/2012 session and September 30, 2012 marked the bill signing deadline for the Governor to take action on measures that were passed by Legislature. Among the measures signed and vetoed by the Governor were many sponsored and supported by the CPF. Here is a wrap-up of a handful of bills of interest to CPF affiliates. CPF Sponsored & Co-Sponsored Bills Approved by the Legislature in 2012 AB 1606 (Henry Perea, DFresno) - Clarifies that regardless of the manner in which the employer and employee organization reached impasse (with our without entering mediation), the employee organization retains the ability to request that the matter be submitted to a factfinding procedure, prior to any imposition of employment terms. STATUS: Approved by the legislature; SIGNED by Governor Brown. AB 1687 (Paul Fong, DMountain View) - Communications about a delay, modification or overall denial of Workers Comp treatment would be required to include prominentlydisplayed alternatives for the injured workers next steps. In addition, if a related medical treatment dispute arises, and enforcement of a future medical award is required for continuing an injured workers medical treatment, this bill allows the Workers Compensation Appeals Board to award reasonably-incurred attorneys fees in instances where an injured worker prevails in validating the medical award. STATUS: Approved by the Legislature: VETOED by Governor Brown. (Veto message here) AB 1885 (Susan Bonilla, DMartinez) - This bill ensures that if a firefighter is laid off by a public agency, like a CalPERS contracting agency, due to cuts in budget or staffing and then is re-hired within one year by a 37 Act county, the county retirement system will have the additional time needed to ensure that the rehired firefighters previous public employment service is in fact kept whole in that county system for purposes of a coordination of benefits. STATUS: Approved by the Legislature; VETOED by Governor Brown. (Veto message here) AB 2298 (Jose Solorio, DSanta Ana) - With the pressures of daily details on the rise, this bill ensures that any member of the CHP, firefighters or peace officers cannot be held financially responsible in the event that they are involved in an accident with their private vehicle when operated on behalf of or at the request of their respective employer. Note new bill number/author. Previous bill number was AB 1551 (Torres). The author opted to use the bill for another issue. Assembly Member Solorio agreed to author a bill in the final week of session to move this policy forward to the Governor. STATUS: Approved by the Legislature; SIGNED by Governor Brown. AB 2389 (Bonnie Lowenthal, D-Long Beach) - This measure would give consumers a clearer picture of the relationship between the worker who shows up at the front door and the company that sent them there. The bill would require that work uniforms or badges clearly identify the actual employer. Californias fire service understands the importance of living up to its image and reputation. All service providers who seek to convey an image through the use of a uniform or logo must have some accountability to that image. STATUS: Approved by the Legislature; VETOED by Governor Brown. (Veto message here) AB 2451 (John Perez, D-Los Angeles) - If a firefighter sustains a specified industrial illness, such as cancer or an infectious blood-
Photo By David Doc DeMulle, Foothills Paper Saulnier, Fran Pavley, President under the federal social secuPro Tem Darrell Steinberg) rity system to all employees who Homeowner Bill of Rights. This are not covered under a defined package, among other things, benefit plan, except as specified. would serve to improve the fore- STATUS: Approved by the Legclosure process by adding sen- islature; SIGNED by Governor sible reforms to California Law. Brown. It would require loan servicers to AB 2224/ACA 22 (Cameron give struggling homeowners who Smyth, R- Santa Clarita) apply for a loan modification a Makes the statutory and constiyes or no answer before starting tutional changes necessary to imthe formal foreclosure process, plement the Governors 12 Point require that the party moving to Pension Reform Plan. STATUS: foreclosure have evidence to sup- Held in committee. port that it has the right to foreSB 1176/SCA 18 (Bob Huff, close on the property and add R- Diamond Bar) Would, more transparency to the foreclo- among other things, prohibit a sure process. STATUS: Approved public retirement system from alby the Legislature; SIGNED by lowing the purchase of additional Governor Brown. retirement service credit and SB 1241 (Christine Kehoe, provide that any enhancement to D- San Diego) Would revise a public retirement systems rerequirements associated with the tirement formula or benefits that comprehensive, long-term gen- is adopted on or after January 1, eral plan, which is adopted by a 2013, would apply only to serlocal legislative body to include vice performed on or after the opprovisions for reviewing and up- erative date of the enhancement. dating the plans safety element STATUS: Failed policy committo address the risk of fire for land tee deadline. within the entitys purview that is SB 1336 (Leland Yee, D- San classified as a state responsibility Francisco) - This bill would rearea or high fire hazard severity quire auditors to release any zone. STATUS: Approved by the findings resulting from an invesLegislature; SIGNED by Gover- tigative audit and release infornor Brown. mation, including the identity of the accused, regarding any action taken by any agency or authority CPF Oppose to which the results of the invesAB 340 (Warren Furutani, tigation have been reported. STAD- Long Beach) Pension Re- TUS: Failed passage in Appropriform Package. This bill makes ations Committee major revisions to the public Other pension related measures retirement systems laws. STA- that were introduced but did not TUS: Approved by the Legis- pass the Legislature. Most of these lature; SIGNED by Governor measures were introduced to imBrown. plement the Governors original AB 1248 (Ben Hueso, D- Ch- 12 point pension plan. ula Vista) - Requires that the City of San Diego provide coverage
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By Robert J. Sherwin, Lewis, Marenstein, Wicke, Sherwin, and Lee Hall of fame baseball player, Yogi Berra coined that expression but it rings true today as Governor Brown recently signed into law new workers compensation reform legislation. Flashback to 2004 when Governor Schwarnegger demanded the legislature pass a workers compensation reform bill that had been brokered behind closed doors with no public hearings. The legislation drastically reduced benefits for injured workers while insurance companies reaped billions of dollars in profits. Injured workers suffered a 60% reduction in permanent disability compensation in addition to having medical treatment severely curtailed through a process known as utilization review (UR). Since 2004, medical costs have increased. In order to reduce those costs and yet try to restore some of the benefits injured workers lost, the legislature crafted a bill that allegedly would do both. But as with the last reform, the new legislation was enacted in the final days of the legislative session with minimal public hearings and a directive from the Governor to get the bill passed. So as Yogi said. Its dj vu all over again as the legislature passed the bill on the last day with literally hours left in the session. The new law does many things, some of which will benefit you as
firefighters if you are injured on the job. Yet much of the bill will work to your detriment. Part of the law will only apply to injuries that occur after January 1, 2013 while other portions will apply retroactively regardless of the date you were injured. So what are the significant parts of the legislation that will affect your rights when you get injured on the job?
Legal
Firstthe good news Permanent disability compensation will increase for injuries occurring after January 1, 2013. Permanent disability is not payment for pain and suffering but rather final compensation you may receive for whatever permanent effects you are left with from the injury. You may be working full unrestricted duty as a firefighter but nevertheless have residual permanent disability. For those injuries occurring after January 1, 2013, the amount of final compensation will be increased from the amount you would have received for an earlier date of injury. This change is the so-called legislatures attempt to remedy the injustice created by the 2004 bill. The bad news Medical treatment will become more restricted than it already is. Present law allows the employer to submit all medical treatment recommended by your treating doctor to a UR company where a doctor reviews the treatment request against treatment guidelines adopted by the Divi-
The IMR doctor will not examine you and you will never know the name of the IMR doctor. Once the IMR decision is made, it is essentially final. You may only appeal an IMR decision to the workers compensation appeals board if you believe it was based on fraud, bias, etc. A difference in judgment or opinion from your treating doctor is insufficient grounds for appeal. In other words, you will have limited, if any access, to a judge for review. We in the legal business call that a denial of due process. There are many other provisions in the new law that will affect you if you are injured on the job and those will be discussed in future articles as we dissect the new law and litigate those issues at the workers compensation appeals board. For now, what you should take from all this is the need to discuss your injury with a competent attorney who understands your
rights as a firefighter and the rules your employer plays by. Now, more than ever, it is crucial that you have someone fighting for you to insure that whatever information that is submitted to either UR or IMR is correct and complete. Getting proper treatment will affect your ability to keep working and provide for your family. Far too often I see firefighters think they can go it alone through the workers compensation arena. They select a QME from a panel of QMEs issued by the State and frequently select the wrong doctor who issues a report detrimental to their interests. With so much on the line, why would you try to navigate solo through a system so complex and lacking in due process rights? Hopefully you will enjoy a safe and injury free career. If, however, you find yourself going through this crazy process, make sure you do it intelligently.
AD 76: No Recommendation AD 77: No Recommendation AD 78: Toni Atkins AD 79: Shirley Weber AD 80: Ben Hueso SD 01: No Recommendation SD 03: Lois Wolk SD 05: Cathleen Galgiani SD 07: Mark DeSaulnier SD 09: Loni Hancock SD 11: Mark Leno SD 13: Jerry Hill SD 15: Neutral SD 17: Bill Monning
State Senate
SD 19: Hannah-Beth-Jackson SD 21: No Recommendation SD 23: No Recommendation SD 25: Carol Liu SD 27: Fran Pavley SD 29: Bob Huff SD 31: Richard Roth SD 33: Ricardo Lara SD 35: Rod Wright SD 37: No Recommendation SD 39: Marty Block
AD 01: Brian Dahle AD 02: Wes Chesbro AD 03: Dan Logue AD 04: Mariko Yamada AD 05: Frank Bigelow
State Assembly
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Services Directory
Department of Fire and Police Pensions 360 East Second Street, Suite 400 Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 978-4545 www.lacity.org/pen ACTIVE MEMBERS Applying for a Service Pension (213) 978-4575 Applying for a Disability Pension (213) 978-4500 Applying for DROP participation (213) 978-4568 Buying Back Time (Academy Time, Bad Time, Prior Service) (213) 978-4522 Contribution Statements (For Divorce, Loans, Verification of Contribution) (213) 978-4522 Pre-Retirement Planning Seminars (213) 978-4522 Refund of Contributions (213) 978-4522 Domestic Partner Information (213) 978-4522 RETIRED MEMBERS Name, Address & Telephone Number Changes (213) 978-4575
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By Adam VanGerpen IAFF Media Awards The winners of the 2012 IAFF Media Awards were recently announced and LAFD received several awards. The LAFD Public Service Officers won an award for Best Blog Post fo the blog post titled Hollywood Arson Fires. Shawn Kaye who is a member of EPN and a contributing photographer to The Los Angeles Firefighter won a Photography award. The Los Angeles Firefighter publication won a second place award for Best IAFF Affiliate Publication (circulation more than 1000) It is a real honor to be selected for IAFF Media Awards. This year there was over 300 nominations and some very stiff competition. LAFD & Local 112 Think Pink We all know somebody who has been affected by cancer. In October LAFD and UFLAC went pink to raise awareness for breast
Editors
cancer. Our primary goal was to show our support for those personally effected by cancer and to reach thousands of people with the lifesaving message that caner prevention and early detection can mean the difference between life and death. Los Angeles Fire Department Administration teamed up with UFLAC and authorized six days of wearing the LAFD & UFLACThink Pink t-shirts as the outermost garment while on duty. This was the first time in the recent history when the uniform policy has been temporarily suspended for a cause. I am very grateful to the UFLAC Executive Board the LAFD Command Staff for working together and making this campaign a success. If you would still like to purchase a pink t-shirt they are available at: www.lafdgoespink.com All net proceeds from the tshirt sales will go to the American Cancer Society.
Firefighters across the country will be growing mustaches to raise awareness for prostate cancer. Pictured below is Fire Station 75 in Mission Hills showing our support for a four year old boy named Alex Shabman who recently found out he has cancer.
Ryan S. Kirby By Stephanie Sumell, Thousand Oaks Acorn Returning home from battling the 90-acre Getty Fire last month, Ryan Kirby was exhausted and covered in ashbut beaming at the same time. He was so excited that he got to fight his first fire, said his mother, Debbie Kirby. It was just an amazing experience for him. Sadly, the young mans first fire fight was also his last. Ryan Kirby, 24, was killed two
We offer our deepest condolences to Brother Cobos whopassed away with his family around him and his brother and sister firefighters close by. John spent many years as a dedicated employee of The County of Los Angeles. John was hired by the County, August 1977. He spent four years as an employee of another department within LA County prior to joining the Fire Department in 1981. For the last 3 years John has protected the residents of La Habra from Fire Station 193 as a Firefighter/ Paramedic. Prior to that for ap-