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RIP Ron Mathis, Former 1014 Director and Camp Superintendent
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It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Ron Mathis. Ron passed away at the age of 76.
Ron was a past Director for Local 1014 as well as a Camp Superintendent for our Fire Department. Our members still benifit today from his efforts to better our wages, hours and working conditions.
A Flag Ceremony will be held at Camp 2 on February 26, 2011 at 1100 hours. A reception will follow immediately at Camp 2.
We asked one of Ron's Friends to help us describe Ron's past efforts.
From Scott Franklin:
RON CAME TO L.A. COUNTY FIRE FROM ONTARIO FIRE ABOUT 1966 OR SO . AT THE TIME WE WERE FIGHTING ANNEXATIONS FROM NUMEROUS CITIES. IN FACT WHEN DOWNEY AND SANTA FE SPRINGS INCORPORATED WE LOST 2 STATIONS AND A HUGE TAX BASE. RON WORKED WITH DON BORTHWICK, EARL DUNN, AL WHITEHEAD, NINO POLITO, PAUL DESAUTELS, BOB CLARK TO ORGANIZE LOCAL OPPOSITION TO ANNEXATION AND TO PROMOTE THE CONTRACT CITY CONCEPT AS AN ALTERATIVE. RON WAS AT STA. 50 IN COMMERCE AT THE TIME. RON WORKED CLOSELY WITH BRINGING WHITTIER, GLENDORA, LOMITA AND OTHER CONTRACT CITIES INTO THE FIRE DISTRICT. HE WAS THE GO TO GUY FOR THE PROGRAM. RON WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN SALARY AND WORK NEGOTIATIONS WITH ME AND AL WHITEHEAD AND JOHN STEPHENS.
RON WORKED IN L.A. DISPATCH AS A CAPTAIN AT THE INCEPTION OF CFIRS PROGRAM. HE THEN WENT TO THE CAMPS AND WAS A SUPERINTENDENT AT CAMP 2 RETIRED FROM CAMP 17.
HE WORKED CLOSELY WITH ME, MILAN RUPEL, DON KANALLAKAN, BOB CANTREL ON THE PRESCRIIBE BURN PROGRAM. HE AND I AND DON KANALLAKAN ALL WENT TO AUSTRALIA IN 1984 TO LOOK AT THE HUGE WILDFIRE THEY HAD IN VICTORIA NEAR MELBOURNE. (ASH WEDNESDAY FIRE)
If you have any questions please contact the hall at (310) 639-1014.
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