California Professional Firefighters

In 2008, CDF Firefighters Local 2881 netted more than $140,000 for MDA in its statewide series of Fill-The-Boot fund raisers. For Local 2881, however, it appears 2009 was twice as nice.

It is with great sorrow that the City of Montclair Fire Department announces the passing of Deputy Fire Marshal Timothy J. Bissett on Saturday, February 20th of occupational cancer.  He was 58 years old.

Stepping up on their own time, two Marin County firefighters brought their skill and heart to the citizens of earthquake-ravaged Haiti. Spending their vacation time and their own money, Larkspur firefighters Jim Clark and Matt Cobb spent two weeks helping anyone they could find, armed only with a duffel full of medical supplies and a determination to make a difference. The two -- both proud members of Marin Professional Firefighters Local 1775 -- raised some $7,000, half of it their own money, for their personal relief mission. 

Ontario Firefighters Local 1430 and the Ontario Fire Department are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Battalion Chief Richard "Chip" Smith on February 21st, after a corageous battle with cancer.  He was 46 years old. 

California Professional Firefighters has lost two members this week, both to hard fought battles with cancer.

 When Redlands firefighter Mike Leinen's wife Annie was diagnosed with Stage 4 malignant melanoma one day before the birth of her third child, Mike's brothers and sisters with Redlands Professional Firefighters Local 1354 covered shifts and raised money for the family. As they mourn her untimely passing this past week, there is also gratitude for how firefighters stood up for one of their own.

On the front lines, firefighters and police are trained to work as a team. This past weekend, however, Ventura County’s firefighters and law enforcement officers were mixing it up … for a good cause … in their first-ever “Battle of the Badges” boxing match. 

 United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 is joined by CPF and the entire fire labor community in mourning the loss of one of UFLAC's "founding fathers." Brother Jim Perry, who served the citizens of Los Angeles and the members of Local 112 for close to half a century, died last week in a traffic collision. Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19th at 10am at the Frank Hotchkin Training Center in Los Angeles.

The widow of fallen Los Angeles City Firefighter John Lawrence won delayed justice this week, thanks to the efforts of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City. AFLAC Insurance originally denied the death benefit for Lawrence's estate, claiming that his death by job-related cardiac arrest was not covered as a heart attack. After pressure from UFLAC, AFLAC reversed its stand and paid the benefit.