Brothers & Sisters, 

This week has been a difficult week with the news of the mass shooting in Thousand Oaks claiming the lives of 12 people including a Ventura County Sheriff. Our LA County Peers in conjunction with the IAFF have been providing behavioral health support for those affected including first responders. Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters at Ventura County Professional Firefighters Local 1364 and Ventura County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. 

Now once again, the news is flooded with images of unprecedented wildfires sweeping across Los Angeles County—this is truly becoming the “new normal.” 

We currently have nearly 100,000 people evacuated and thousands of homes under attack throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties as part of the Woolsey Fire. Our members are working day and night to protect lives and property both at home and as part of over a dozen strike teams across the State, including at the Camp Fire in Northern California which has caused at least five deaths and destroyed entire towns and over 2,300 structures. 

All year long, our members face constant recalls due to short staffing and poor planning by the Department. When large scale incidents occur, our members answer the call. No matter how tired or how many hours they have worked they respond because that is our job. 

Today and every day, your Executive Board is proud to represent the incredible men and women of the Los Angeles County Fire Department as they fight to protect our communities.   

Be safe out there. Take care of each other. 

In Solidarity, 

President Dave Gillotte and your Executive Board