Friday Update
Brothers & Sisters,
This week as we continue to fight enormous fires across the state, your Union Board is also continuing to work and push the Department for changes to staffing that make sense for our members.
The Chief Deputy of Operations has many staffing revisions on his desk regarding days in a row worked, recall thresholds, rest days post-Strike Teams. Many of our solutions for short-staffing levels, fires and recalls have been implemented but are not in print yet. We will push hard to get those revisions updated and out from the Department. The Fires have put a strain on our workforce and the members have met the challenge and need as we always do. The Department needs the filters removed sometimes to recall and know what that means where the rubber meets the road and the boots meet the dirt.
We will continue to bring that clear unfiltered view of the workers' world to the Chief and Executive Staff.
STATE LEGISLATION ON COMMUNITY PARAMEDICINE
This week we are also pleased to announce that Governor Newsom signed into law AB1544 (Gibson), the Community Paramedicine or Triage to Alternate Destination Act which will help get vulnerable patients the care that they need leading to better patient outcomes. By allowing for transportation to alternate destinations like sobering centers and mental health facilities, this law will help connect trusted firefighter-paramedics to the most vulnerable patients in our community and deliver vital services to ensure the highest quality care. It will also help reduce overcrowding in our emergency rooms.
This is a big victory for Local 1014 and has been a long hard-fought battle for LA County. Local 1014, President Dave Gillotte and Supervisor Janice Hahn, and our legislative team at California Professional Firefighters have been pushing for this legislation for many years. Special thank you to Supervisor Janice Hahn who has been a staunch advocate for our members and this critical piece of legislation since the beginning.
IAFF FIREFIGHTER MEMORIAL
Tomorrow, Saturday, September 26, the California Professional Firefighters together with the California Fire Foundation will honor the sacrifice of our 32 fallen brothers and sisters as their names are added to the California Firefighters Memorial Wall in Sacramento. In addition, a commemorative video tribute that embodies the honor, courage, duty, and sacrifice of California firefighters we have lost in the line of duty will be created. All names added to the wall in 2020 will be honored at the 2021 California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony along with 2021 honorees.
Please save-the-date for next year’s 19th Annual California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony being held Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 11:30 AM in Capitol Park, Sacramento, CA.
WATCH:
https://www.facebook.com/CAFirefighters
WELCOMING CITY OF VERNON TO THE 1014 FAMILY
This week, Local 1014 attended a question and answer session with the City of Vernon members. The transition is set to take place on October 21. Welcome to the LA County Family!
As always stay safe and take care of each other.
In Solidarity and Strength,