CSFA President's Message

2019 was a good year for CSFA and we look ahead to 2020

As I write this last message to members for 2019, it is a good time to reflect upon the year and our successes as a statewide fire service organization. First of all a great thank you is in order to the Visalia firefighters for hosting the 97th annual CSFA Conference in October. The CSFA Conference, held in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Visalia Fire Department was first class from beginning to end.

In addition to sharing the 150th anniversary of Visalia Fire Department with firefighters from throughout the state, the Conference provided an opportunity to honor Mark and Karen Frederick for their many years of service to CSFA and the state’s firefighters. Mark and Karen embody the importance of members that are willing to volunteer and get involved in making CSFA the premier statewide fire service organization that it is today!

At the Conference we also heard from expert speakers on the problem of cancer in the fire service and ways to reduce risks. Please read CSFA recommended workers’ comp attorney Dick Elder’s column beginning on page 12 and review the sobering statistics of cancer and firefighters on page 22. Remember, log all of your incident exposures via the free CSFA smartphone app. It only takes a few minutes, but the record that you keep may help your doctor or your workers’ comp attorney if you develop some form of cancer.

Through the generosity of the Jenny Jones Foundation, we were able to help facilitate the distribution of grant money to needy fire departments for equipment in late spring, and as we go to press we are working again with Jenny Jones for a second distribution of funds to deserving fire departments. Watch the CSFA Connection for more information on these awards

Speaking of grants, through the CSFA SAFER grant award, recruitment and retention workshops were held throughout California, as well as live fire training. There are also grant funds available for personal protective equipment (see the advertisement on page 9 of the December California Fire Service Magazine for more information on this worthwhile program).

There are a number of items in the works at CSFA as we close out the year and look forward to a proactive new one. We are working with Cal Chiefs on state EMS issues, and finalizing our appointment to the EMS Commission.

We are beginning efforts on creating legislation to turn back many of the workers’ comp changes that were implemented during the Schwarzenegger administration. You will be hearing more about this as the legislature comes back into session.

We will also be working on securing alternate funding for State Fire Marshal required training. These are just a few of the programs and policies that CSFA has been busy with and will continue to be working on in the coming  months.

Finally, inserted in this edition of the magazine is our annual Directory of Benefits booklet. Be sure to review it, and make sure you are using all of the CSFA benefits to which you are entitled. Once you have familiarized yourself with CSFA benefits, pass the booklet on to a firefighter, who may not have joined CSFA or know about the work we do on behalf of the entire California fire service.

Enjoy the upcoming holidays with your family and friends, and as always stay safe. 

We’ll talk to you again in 2020!

Mike Shrout
CSFA President