CPF Fire Wire

This past July marked the one-year anniversary of the dramatic and devastating fire aboard the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship docked in San Diego. In this edition of CPF Fire Wire, CPF President Brian Rice talks with San Diego Federal Firefighters Local F-33 President Ian Piccolo. They discuss the incredibly difficult and dangerous firefight, and the critical efforts to ensure...

Every day, firefighters are exposed to events and scenes few can imagine, and sometimes they can push men and women to the brink ... and beyond. In 2021, firefighters are more likely to die from suicide than from traumatic line of duty death. In this edition of CPF Fire Wire, we hear the story of one firefighter's struggle, in his own words. Anaheim Firefighter/Paramedic Matt Fiorenza's story of h...

The challenges facing California remain as daunting as ever, from catastrophic wildfire to housing to COVID-19. The California Legislature is at the center of these challenges. In the latest edition of CPF Fire Wire, President Brian Rice talks with the top leader in the California State Senate -- Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins. Senator Atkins serves the 39th District, located in San Diego, a...

A January California Superior Court ruling will, if upheld, permanently strike down the most draconian pension-slashing initiative in California history: San Diego’s Proposition B. The 2012 pension grab in San Diego, which wiped out secure pensions for all city workers except police officers, has been the subject of an eight-year court fight. In the latest edition of CPF Fire Wire, President Brian...

In the past 12 months, California has experienced the teeth of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as record-shattering wildfires. The man charged with guiding the state through the crises of 2020 is Gov. Gavin Newsom.  As he did a year ago, Gov. Newsom again sits down for a conversation with CPF President Brian Rice to talk about issues affecting the state, including COVID-19 and the promise of the vac...

The first ray of hope in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has come with the release of two vaccines for emergency use. The remarkable and highly effective vaccines are being distributed beginning this month, with frontline health care workers – including firefighter-paramedics and firefighter-EMTs – are on the priority list to receive it. On the premiere of the second season of CPF Fire Wir...

Anaheim Fire Captains David Baker and Joe Aldecoa experienced the real risks of COVID-19 the hard way. Both men -- healthy, experienced firefighters -- spent close to a month in the hospital fighting for their every breath after contracting the deadly virus. Baker spent 11 days on a ventilator in a medically-induced coma. On a special Fire Wire, CPF President Brian Rice and Health and Safety and E...

The outbreak of SARS-Cov 2 (COVID-19) has once again placed firefighters on the front lines of a disaster. But unlike a wildfire or a normal EMS call, the pandemic has created unique stresses on firefighters and, more importantly, their families. On a special CPF Fire Wire, President Brian Rice discusses the behavioral health effects of the outbreak on our members and their families, the importanc...

When the coronavirus COVID-19 hit the shores of the U.S, one of its first landing spots was San Jose. It's now clear that the members of San Jose Firefighters Local 230 were being exposed to COCID-19 on calls for weeks without knowing, and they were the first to feel its effects. On this episode of CPF Fire Wire, we tell the story of San Jose Firefighters and their position at the leading edge of...

The outbreak of coronavirus COVID-19 has become a major public health issue worldwide. Fire and EMS personnel are on the front lines of the epidemic, and exposures of our personnel have already had an impact. On a special CPF Fire Wire, CPF President Brian Rice is joined by CPF's Health and Safety Director Mike Feyh to discuss the details of COVID-19 and the precautions firefighters can take in th...

On this edition of CPF Fire Wire, CPF President Brian Rice talks with two firefighters who have faced death from illnesses caused by their jobs.   Contra Costa Fire Captain Michael Lacy and Alameda Co. Firefighter Alex Mengell talk with President Rice about their life-and-death experiences dealing with job-related illness, their challenges getting treatment and recognition and how CPF's Personal E...

In this episode, CPF President, Brian K. Rice is joined by Stockton Firefighters Local 456 President, Mario Gardea and Tracy City Firefighters Local 3355 President, Paul O’Neal to discuss their EMS dispatch and ALS services battle in San Joaquin County. Emergency medical response is a central focus for first responders. When our ability to save lives is compromised – we fight back. Listen in as Br...

Brian and Governor Newsom discuss the Governor's first year in office and his commitment to firefighters across the state. As his first act in office, Governor Newsom invested over $400 million in wildfire response and preparedness. He created the California Rises benefit concert and raised millions in relief funds for the survivors of wildfires. Most signficantly, he recognized the need to addres...

This episode features CPF President Brian K. Rice and California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship Committee(Cal-JAC) Executive Director Yvonne de la Peña.  The careers of all California firefighters have been impacted by the Cal-JAC, from apprenticeship to journeylevel training and safety improvements. The Cal-JAC is a partnership between labor and management with a mission to bring diversity to t...

This was a historic legislative session for California firefighters. Listen in as CPF President Brian K. Rice shares testimony from members across the state that helped CPF-sponsored bills become law.  Governor Newsom signed the landmark behavioral health bill package, an important step towards breaking the stigma around mental health that will save firefighter lives. The governor also signed the...

This episode features CPF President Brian K. Rice and Ashley Iverson. Ashley's husband Cory was a CAL FIRE engineer and member of CAL Fire Local 2881. On December 14, 2017 Cory lost his life battling the Thomas Fire. Cory's sacrifice was honored at last year's California Firefighters Memorial. Brian and Ashley discuss the loss, the pathway to healing and the work Ashley is doing to honor Cory's me...

This episode features CPF President Brian K. Rice and Assistant Chief, Oxnard Fire Department and Suicide Intervention Counselor Alex Hamilton. They discuss the impacts of the job on behavioral health, the need to break the stigma and the vital role peer support plays in getting firefighters the help they need. Tune into this podcast to learn the signs and resources that are available. If you or s...

This episode features CPF President Brian K. Rice, Sacramento Area Firefighters Local 522 Mike Feyh, LA County Firefighters Local 1014 Jason Cervantes and Kurt Kobler. All four come from very different points of view on the political spectrum and each are actively involved in their union. Brian, Mike, Jason and Kurt discuss how personal politics and union involvement can coexist no matter where yo...

CPF President Brian K. Rice and Secretary – Treasurer Mike Lopez discuss the accomplishments of their first year in office and their vision for the future. From directly connecting to members in the field, to prioritizing Post-Traumatic Stress Injury legislation and providing trainings to locals.    Moderator: CPF Communications Director Carroll Wills.

President Brian K. Rice and CPF Director of Governmental Affairs Christy Bouma discuss legislative priorities. 

President Brian K. Rice is joined by CPF Communications Director, Carroll Wills, and Deputy Communications Director, Fera Dayani to discuss the future of labor and tips to activate your membership.

Episode one is hosted by CPF President Brian Rice with special guests Nick Gracia, President of Daly City Firefighters Local 1879, and Brian Ursettie, President of Arcadia Firefighters Local 3440. The three leaders will discuss why each CPF member made the choice to get active in our union and the power of standing together to make the firefighter voice heard.