CSFA President's Message

CSFA busy with capitol advocacy

On the legislative front it has been a busy time in Sacramento. CSFA has been heavily involved with the Disaster Readiness for Safer Communities (DRiSC) coalition. Those of you who are regular readers of the CSFA Connection and who also follow CSFA on social media, are well-aware that the California fire service is displaying a strong and united front in our efforts to secure additional funding in this year’s state budget. The budget deadline is June 15, and we are optimistic that by working together with Cal Chiefs, CPF and the Fire Districts Association that we will prevail in obtaining the $100 million we are seeking.

In the same vein, on April 23, CSFA’s Political Action Committee hosted our annual Legislative Day. CSFA leadership and other interested members visited all 120 legislative offices and then mingled with lawmakers and staff at Mayahuel restaurant. For more information on our Legislative Day see pages 9, 18 and 19.

On a more somber note, as I sit down to write this message I do have some sad news to report. Our Committee for Volunteers Chair, Chief Tom Forster, died May 6 after a brief illness. Tom was the fire chief of the Plumas Eureka Fire Department in Plumas County at the time of his passing. In addition to Tom’s work as a CSFA Committee chair, he was a certified Master Instructor for California State Training for over 28 years. Chief Forster had served in the fire service for over 40 years in Marin and Plumas Counties. He was a true fire service leader, and as a CSFA committee chair he represented the best spirit of service to CSFA and to firefighters On throughout the state. He will be missed. Chief Forster’s passing leaves a leadership void in our standing committee dealing with volunteer firefighting issues. We welcome names of persons who would be willing to take on the leadership of this committee and carry on Chief Forster’s commitment to volunteer firefighters and their unique issues. Please feel free to reach out to me or any CSFA Board member if you or someone you know is interested in becoming involved with the CSFA Committee for Volunteers.

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to mention that CSFA Executive Director Gene Gantt has been facing some health challenges of late, but he is now on the road to recovery. We all look forward to seeing Gene back in the CSFA saddle shortly. Until next issue, be safe!

Stay Safe,
Mike Shrout CSFA President