Friday Update
Brothers and Sisters,
This Sunday, we were reminded how precious and short life can be with the untimely death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and the seven other passengers killed in the helicopter crash in Calabassas.
Our LA County Peer Support Teams were dispatched to the incident for both the families and the responders. This was a unique and difficult incident. Once again, our Local 1014 members demonstrated the professionalism, compassion, and skill they possess in dealing with extraordinary circumstances. We thank you all for your professionalism this past week and for your continued service to our communities.
Local 1014 members had the opportunity to work alongside Kobe Bryant together with our partners in labor to support the United Way Home Walk fundraiser to combat homelessness. President Dave Gillotte and the Executive Board presented Kobe with a custom leather Laker Fire Helmet to show our appreciation. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families, their loved ones and all the people they touched through their philanthropism and kindness.
MEASURE FD
This week, our Local 1014 team was hard at work launching the countywide campaign for Measure FD. This is the largest ballot initiative and political action campaign in the Union's 70-year history. Local 1014 is at the helm of a monumental effort to ensure that Measure FD passes on March 3. As we near election day, you will be seeing our campaign roll-out in your mailboxes and multiple media platforms. Stay tuned as we roll out our campaign to the voters and lobby for funding for our future.
While the Department will still be conducting its community education program and educating the public about the challenges we are facing, it is critical that you follow the rules regarding Measure FD while on duty. What we need from our members is your continued support and your continued exemplary service to our communities as we stand in solidarity to craft the future of our Department.
Measure FD will be the first additional revenue measure for our Department ever and will bring an additional $134 million annually for stations, equipment, and staffing. Not since Proposition E in 1997 have we asked the voters for additional funding for our Fire Department. We have been good stewards of the public’s funds and have used them to provide world-class services to our residents. But since 1997, we have seen a dramatic shift in the scope of our emergency services, the intensity of our fire season and the use of technology as a critically important tool for providing emergency services. A stable and adequate funding source for our needs in the next 20 years will be critical. Four-person staffing on our rigs and the upgrading of our stations, apparatus, and equipment are a priority.
Trial Shift Schedule Change
We only have a few weeks left to get your ballots in for the Trial Shift Schedule Change vote. We are encouraging ALL FIRE SERIES MEMBERS TO VOTE! The voice of the membership is heard most accurately with the most ballots returned. All Local 1014 members who are Firefighters, Firefighter Specialists, and Captains from 601/602 Bargaining Units have the opportunity to vote YES or NO and pick from one of the proposed shift schedules.
IMPORTANT: Please remember all ballots must be received in the PO Box prior to Monday, February 10 at 10 am. Be mindful of that when deciding when to mail in your ballot. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST DAY TO MAIL IN YOUR BALLOT.
Contact the Union if you have not received your ballot yet or if you mismarked your ballot and are requesting a replacement ballot.
