ONE HUNDRED FIFTH EDITION |
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The recent unveiling of CAL FIRE Firefighter Braden Varney Memorial Highway in MMU. His sacrifice will never be forgotten. |
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Get to Know Your DVP
Nick Garcia
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We asked DVP Nick Garcia a few questions to help our members get to know him better.
Q. What is your current role with CAL FIRE Local 2881?
A. My current role with Local 2881 is the District II Vice President. I oversee three chapters in my district; Lassen-Modoc Chapter, Siskiyou Chapter, and the Shasta-Trinity Chapter.
Q. How long have you been involved in Local 2881?
A. I have been a union member since I started with the Department in 2000. It wasn’t until 2006, when I attended my first convention, that I became involved. I asked the question that many young firefighters ask, “what does the union do for me?” At the time, my captain was the D2 Deputy Vice President. He said, why don’t you come down to convention, and you can see for yourself what the union does for you. While at convention, I saw the hard work of so many from across the state and learned how the process works. Afterward, I told myself that I wanted to be more involved instead of just being a voice in the background.
Q. What union officer positions have you held?
A. The first union officer position I held was in 2007, when I had the seat as the Finance Director for the Lassen-Modoc Chapter. I stayed in that position until 2012. I then took over the position as the Chapter Rank and File Rep until 2014. In 2014, I became the Alternate Chapter Director for the Lassen-Modoc Chapter and held that position for four years. In 2018, I became the District II vice president. Just recently, I ran unopposed for another term.
Q. Why is it important to be involved in Local 2881?
A. I feel it’s essential for all members to be involved in some capacity with L2881. Going to your local chapter meetings are very informative and will let your voice be heard. We, as a union, have not been given anything. It’s the men and women that came before us who have fought to get us better wages, working conditions, and benefits. It is now up to all of us to continue to improve and keep those same benefits. We must come together as one voice, there is strength in unity.
Q. What union accomplishments are you most proud of?
A. One thing that I am very proud of is OUR Honor Guard. These men and women are top-notch and always carry themselves with the utmost professionalism. They work tirelessly year around. It’s not uncommon for them to work over 100 details up and down the state taking care of our own. If you see any Honor Guard members out and about, make sure you thank them for all that they do.
Q. What do you see in the future for Local 2881?
A. Looking ahead at the future, Local 2881 will be busy; we must work to maintain what we have and fight for what we deserve. We need to keep 3% at 50, fix compaction, and work on getting everyone on a 56-hour workweek with no loss in compensation.
if you have any questions for DVP Garcia, feel free to reach out by email: ngarcia@L2881.org
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Cal Fire surprises girl with 25,000 baseball cards after losing her beloved collection due to Creek Fire |
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PRATHER, Calif. (KGPE) — The community is stepping up to the plate for a 9-year-old girl who lost it all in the Creek Fire.
Reese Osterburg was devastated after her beloved baseball card collection was destroyed. So Cal Fire put a call out for donations and had a big surprise for her Friday.
Reese was told she was going on a fire station tour but instead was surprised with a massive new baseball card collection.
“The baseball card drive donation is not only bringing the kids together, but it’s really bringing the community back together,” Seth Brown a Cal Fire battalion chief said.
Reese’s family lost their home, along with her 100 card collection. So Cal Fire started the ‘Step up to the Plate’ baseball card drive to gather donations and a stranger hit it out of the park.
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Community Education Series (12-1:30PM EST) - Open to Public
-Speakers: Lauren Kosc, CCTP, LCPC & Ray Rahne, IAFF 9th District Vice President
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Community Education Series (12-1:30PM EST) - Open to Public
-Speakers: Molly Jones, LSW, Dawn Roy, LCSW & Theresa Snow, Local 1271 Surrey
-Sharing this event with spouses and other family members is encouraged.
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Community Education Series (12-1:30PM EST) - Open to Public
-Speakers: Molly Jones, LSW
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Check out the CAL FIRE Wellness YouTube Channel! |
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CAL FIRE Wellness Unit and the Training Center have made 116 Exercise Videos, free and accessible to the public. These videos cover all the components of fitness, categorized by exercise type and purpose.
Check out CFTC Wellness Battalion Chief Woody's Favorite Playlist: The Weighted Carry Exercises! Other playlists include: Warm-Up, Upper-Body, TRX Suspension, Medicine Ball, Banded, Hinge Movement, Lower Body, Full Body, Core, and Circuit Training.
All of these videos are linked in the COA/FFA PT Binder and track with the PT Schedule for each CFTC Academy.
You can apply these videos to your Fire Control Physical Training Program as you implement these workouts at your station and at home.
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CAL FIRE ESS 24hr Helpline: (916) 445-4337
EAP 24hr Helpline: (866) 327-4762
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MADE SF will be donating 100% of the profits from the sale of their CAL FIRE tees to CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation
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Hats produced by West Broad Apparel, a company honoring firefighters and the tradition within the firehouses.
Proceeds from each sale will be donated to the following:
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Behavioral Health & Cancer Awareness Curriculum Series
Published: October 2020
More important SFT updates:
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Watch TX Firefighters Rescue Riders atop Roller Coaster |
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San Antonio firefighters rescued several riders who were trapped atop a roller coaster Sunday.
Crews responded at about 1 p.m. to the incident at the SeaWorld amusement park, KSAT-TV reports. The park's Wave Breaker roller coaster malfunction, stranding several riders on the ride.
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Special episode available now! |
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From the CAL FIRE Department Safety Officer |
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Tenn. man, dubbed 'Shorty,' named world's tallest firefighter by Guinness World Records |
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Update Oct. 26, 2020: It's official — Tullahoma Firefighter Brandon Berridge has been named the world's tallest firefighter by Guinness World Records, measuring in at precisely 6 feet and 11.17 inches.
Berridge, 28, has been with the department since 2016, and says that being tall has both its advantages and disadvantages on the job. Confined spaces can be a challenge, but he doesn't always need a ladder to install smoke alarms or scout out issues in higher areas.
"This world is not necessarily made for taller people, but there are certain aspects where we can shine," Berridge said in his interview with Guinness. "Find what you enjoy and do it. Greet challenges and conquer them. Height can be an advantage."
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What do you think about the single-layer pant? Share your thoughts with us via the survey link below.
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IF YOU ARE AN CAL FIRE LOCAL 2881
ACTIVE MEMBER
YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS
PROVIDED FROM OUR AFFILIATION WITH PORAC
IN ORDER TO VIEW AND ENROLL IN THESE BENEFITS
(INCLUDING HEALTHCARE AND AFLAC PROGRAMS)
WE NEED YOUR DATE OF BIRTH.
PLEASE GO TO THE FOLLOWING LINK TO UPLOAD YOUR INFORMATION:
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Did you just recently retire or are you planning on retiring at the end of 2020?
Make sure to sign up to be a CAL FIRE Local 2881 Retired Member and stay in the know!
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As we approach what I will call one of the “retirement windows”, some of you may be considering retirement at the end of this calendar year.
If you are planning to retire at the end of this year, in order to reduce the number of months before you become eligible for up to a 2% COLA after you retire, I suggest you set your retirement date so you are officially retired at least one day in 2020. You will then be eligible for the COLA in the year 2022. If you do not retire until January 1, 2021, you will not be eligible for the COLA until April of 2023.
As a reminder, the maximum COLA allowed by law is 2% for state employees. The COLA is not realized until the April payroll which is received on or about May 1st of each year. Also, there are times when you may receive more than 2% because of previous years when you received an amount less than 2%. I’ll save that explanation for a later article.
You may now elect to receive you W2 information paperless from CalPERS. Through your mycalpers account, you will also be able to obtain your W2 information early in January. Please read the attached information from CalPERS. Note that you can obtain the W2 information online without going paperless. The choice is yours.
Ray Snodgrass
State Retiree Director
As a reminder, all members can access their health information year-round, by logging in to myCalPERS, or learn more by visiting the CalPERS “Using myCalPERS” page.
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With Personal Exposure Reporting from California Professional Firefighters, firefighters can document exposures to toxins that can produce job-related illness.
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The impossibly creamy texture of these mashed potatoes is a credit to choosing the right guy for the job: the German Butterball. (We tested 10 contenders—it was the butteriest in flavor, and fluffiest when mashed.) Plus, roasting them first helps concentrate their flavor. On the continuum from slightly textured to exquisitely satiny spuds, use a potato masher (rustic, but fine!), ricer (nicer!), or food mill fitted with the finest disk (woooow!). A smoky breadcrumb and-potato-chip topping, inspired by the flavors of patatas bravas, brings something new to the table.
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Is your physical/mailing address updated with us?
Did you get the Summer 2020 Fire Front mailed to your home last month? If not, then we don't have your current address.
It's important for us to have it in case you are impacted or may be impacted by a wildfire or other emergency. Use the link below, call or email us to update it today!
(916) 609-8711 / dkelsch@L2881.org
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Has your marital status changed? Update your L2881 beneficiary information with us today and keep your loved ones secure. Fill out this form and send it to Danielle @ dkelsch@L2881.org
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Share your photos & videos with us.
What does your CAL FIRE look like? Help up show the #AllRisk CAL FIRE. Send us a DM on social media or reach out to DeeDee, your Communications Officer at (916) 202-0553
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UPCOMING EVENTS
EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
DECEMBER 1-3
FINANCE TRAINING
FEBRUARY 9-12
NEW OFFICER TRAINING
FEBRUARY 16-18
REP CLASS 1
FEBRUARY 21-26
REP CLASS 2
MARCH 21-26
ADV. LEADERSHIP/PAC
APRIL 18-21
MEMBER SUPPORT 101
MAY 16-19
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CAL FIRE BENEVOLENT
FOUNDATION
Provides funds for immediate life sustaining assistance to firefighters and their families who have suffered debilitating injury or loss of life.
Now on Instagram!
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CAL FIRE MUSEUM
Look in the summer edition of the Fire Front magazine for an update from the museum!
Don't forget to sign up for their newsletter too!
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For more updates, events, and news visit our website:
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