Tue, 18 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Firefighters Get Upper Hand on So Cal Fires

Fire officials reported more good news from the front lines. Firefighters achieved 95% containment of the 1,940-acre Tea fire, which started in Montecito on Thursday evening and damaged or destroyed 219 residences. The Sayre fire was 64% contained, and the Freeway Complex fire was 40% contained.

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Palo Alto Fire Fighters Don Pink Helmet to Raise Breast Cancer Awareness

One October shift, Palo Alto Fire Fighters Local 1319 Secretary Barry Marchisio looked every bit the classic picture of a firefighter - well, apart from the petal pink helmet that he wore proudly atop his head. "It was definitely a radical departure from our traditional black helmet, but I enjoyed it. I played it up," laughed Marchisio, who responded to a natural gas leak while wearing the pink helmet.

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Firefighter Voice Rings Loud and Clear in Election

California Professional Firefighters and its affiliates proved once again that the issues that matter to first responders are issues that resonate with the state's voters. In a year with a record election turnout, CPF-endorsed candidates have won or are leading in all but three of the 91 Assembly and Senate contests in which we made a recommendation -- a whopping 97% success rate! Firefighters also helped lead the defeat of a ballot measure that could have diverted millions away from state fire protection programs. 

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Anti-Pension Ideologue Ousted in SD City Attorney Race

San Diego's firefighters won an important victory Tuesday, when they helped oust one of the most hostile anti-retirement politicians in California. With room to spare, voters in San Diego threw out City Attorney Michael Aguirre, who has waged a single-minded legal war against the retirement security of San Diego City Firefighters Local 145. His replacement -- local judge Jan Goldsmith -- has pledged to take the politics out of the City Attorney's office and be "a watchdog, not an attack dog."

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Luster Knight's good deeds remembered at service

Under gray skies, drums and bagpipes played Thursday for retired Alameda County firefighter Luster Knight, whose flagged-draped casket was lowered from a fire engine by pallbearers as nearly 200 firefighters in dress uniforms snapped to attention and saluted.

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:00:00 GMT

FF in Prop. 11 Ad Doesn't Represent CA Firefighters

In the last week before the election, an advertisement has surfaced in support of Prop. 11 with a firefighter implying that all CA firefighters support the measure. In fact, the individual is not a member of California Professional Firefighters, and does not speak on behalf of any statewide firefighting organization, including those representing management. CPF has taken no position on Prop. 11 -- either for or against.

Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:00:00 GMT

Beloved Alameda County Firefighter Loses Battle with Cancer

Alameda County Firefighters Local 55 is saddened to announce a line of duty death. Alameda County firefighter Luster Knight died of job-related cancer on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008. He was 59.