California Professional Firefighters

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. 

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.

Earthquakes. Fires. Floods. For Fresno's senior citizens, these are just a few disasters that can strike at any moment and Fresno Firefighters Local 753 has launched its latest program to reach this vulnerable community with disaster preparedness help. The program was created by the California Fire Foundation, which brings public service announcements and evacuation planning materials to elderly individuals.

Most local firefighters unions have been on the Web for some time. But several locals have taken their online presence to the next level, using online communications to keep members and the public informed about important issues ... especially those affecting public safety resources.

Since last winter, CPF President Lou Paulson and the entire CPF Executive Board have welcomed six new IAFF local unions to our proud statewide organization.

CPF members gathered with firefighters and police officers from around the globe last month to compete in the World Police and Fire Games. Held biennially, the World Police and Fire Games hosts over 60 sporting events, ranging from archery and lacrosse to soccer and water skiing. 

California City Firefighters Local 3903 has partnered with the California Fire Foundation to bring public service announcements and evacuation planning materials to elderly individuals at their hosted disaster preparedness workshops. 

Two Alameda firefighters were injured this past Sunday while responding to a house fire in a single family residence -- injuries that may not have happened but for public safety cuts in Alameda. The firefighters were injured responding to a Sunday evening structure fire call. At the time of the call, all three of the city's ALS ambulances were conducting transports. The lack of resources allowed the fire to intensify and hazardous conditions to exponentially increase.

The last of the three Ventura County firefighters injured while fighting the Jesusita Fire in Santa Barbara was released this week from a Sherman Oaks burn center, authorities said. Firefighter Robert Lopez, 44, is recovering at home. He is a proud member of Ventura County Professional Firefighters Local #1364.