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Miller, Pèrez, Ma Speak on Third Day of Convention
We will fight to protect everything that firefighters hold dear, including retirement security, collective bargaining, and funding for public safety.
This was the pledge of IAFF Secretary-Treasurer Thomas Miller, Speaker of the Assembly John Pèrez and Assemblymember Fiona Ma (D-San Francisco) during their speeches on day three of the CPF Convention.
"Some want to use the economic downturn as an excuse to walk away from their obligations," said John Pèrez. "We can't let this happen."
Fiona Ma said that she has never voted against firefighters and never will.
The following is the full list of CPF Executive Board members who were elected at convention:
President: Lou Paulson
Secretary-Treasurer: Lew Stone
1st District Vice President: Tim Strack
2nd District Vice President: Chris Mahon
3rd District Vice President: Bobby Weist
4th District Vice President: Randy Sekany
5th District Vice President: Mike Massone
Speakers Highlight Importance of Political Action
Harold Schaitberger, Jerry Brown, Darrell Steinberg and Jack O'Connell headlined the second day of the CPF Convention.
Their main message? The importance of political action, particularly in these difficult economic times.
"We need to continue to do extraordinary work in the political arena," said IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. "Every single thing that happens to our members and our families, personally and professionally, is dictated by someone that was elected."
Attorney General Jerry Brown, who is running for California governor this November, noted that in the face of the current recession, now is not the time to scale back on public services or cut a hole in the social safety net.
"Now is not the time to throw the baby out with the bathwater," said Brown.
Darrell Steinberg pledged his commitment to preserving retirement security, collective bargaining and binding arbitration for state firefighters and noted that those who say California can't afford a broad middle class are wrong.
"I'll never stop fighting for people who put their lives on the line," said Steinberg.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell was also presented a thank you gift from CPF for the past 28 years that he has worked tirelessly on behalf of firefighters.
Opening Ceremonies Kick Off CPF Convention
In the grand firefighter tradition, the 42nd annual CPF Convention kicked off with the stirring sights and sounds of the Pipes & Drums of the California Professional Firefighters and the Color Guard.
The opening ceremonies, which was viewed by over 400 convention attendees today, featured a line-up that celebrated the host local, San Diego City Firefighters Local 145, with speeches from San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders, San Diego Fire Chief Javier Mainar and San Diego Councilmember Todd Gloria.
They each outlined the importance of maintaining firefighter funding and 4-0 staffing despite the current economic climate.
But state dignitaries were also on hand to show their support of CPF locals across California.
Assemblyman Alberto Torrico stepped up to the podium to thank firefighters for CPF’s endorsement of his run for attorney general and made a promise that as attorney general, he would preserve pensions for firefighters.
“I tell everyone who criticizes the retirement that firefighters receive, when you decide to put on the turnouts and fight a fire yourself, then you can talk to me about pensions,” said Torrico.
California Labor Federation Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski highlighted the threat that Meg Whitman poses for firefighters and first responders across the state.
“Her first step in disbanding our pensions is to silence our voice so we can’t fight back,’” Pulaski said.
CPF President Lou Paulson echoed Pulaski’s sentiment, emphasizing the importance of putting support behind Jerry Brown for governor.
“The future of the fire service is in our hands. We can’t idly sit by. Every retiree, every active firefighter, and every future firefighter will suffer if we don’t do all we can,” said Paulson. “In the next few days, we will start our march to November and show Meg Whitman what ‘Union Strong’ means.”
Rick Fisher Awarded Dallas Jones Political Achievement Award
Carlsbad Firefighters President Rick Fisher was honored today with the Dallas Jones Special Award for Outstanding Political Achievement.
The award, which was established at the 2008 CPF Convention, was presented to Fisher for his success to organize the San Diego County Council of Firefighters, a collection of some two-dozen locals into a united and influential public safety voice for San Diego County.
"I will put this award in a very prominent place in my home and remember this forever," said Fisher.
The Dallas Jones Political Achievement Award is presented to an individual member of a CPF-affiliated local at each CPF Convention.
California Fire Foundation Launches Endowment
At the CPF Convention, the California Fire Foundation today unveiled its latest venture to help firefighters and their families: The California Firefighters Endowment.
Its mission: To increase the scholarship awards for the children of California's fallen firefighters.
Since 2006, the California Fire Foundation has helped send 17 students to college through its Daniel A. Terry Scholarship program. Scholarships of $2,000 are currently awarded each year to qualified applicants. But with the rising costs of college tuition, students need more financial assistance to cover the costs. The endowment will increase the scholarship awards and insure a permanent and reliable funding stream for future generations.
"Scholarships change lives," said California Fire Foundation Director Vanessa Robinson. "They open doors and create opportunities that may have been limited due to the loss of a parent. The California Firefighters Endowment will help children from firefighter families pursue their dreams."
The Foundation's initial goal is to increase scholarship awards to $5,000 per student starting in 2011. Hence, the Foundation is launching its initial fund drive called "In the Line of Duty" to raise over $2 million.
"It's an assurance to every California firefighter that if the need arises, your children will get the support they need for a good education," said California Fire Foundation Chair Lou Paulson.