North bay fires

The grim toll from the vicious North Bay firestorm is growing almost as rapidly as the wind-whipped fires themselves:  As of Friday afternoon, 32 people had lost their lives, and nearly 400 others were reported missing. 3,500 structures have been lost and the total acreage affected had grown to 200,000 acres -- more than doubling over 24 hours.

Roughly 10,000 firefighters are on the front lines protecting lives and property in the North Bay fire siege.

For many, the devastation is exacting a personal toll. As of October 13, as many as 40 firefighters have had their homes destroyed or severely damaged by the blistering fires. In most cases, these individuals were out on the lines doing their duty even as their own homes were under siege.

The union is stepping up for its members and for those they serve.

FOR OUR COMMUNITIES 

CPF's non-profit California Fire Foundation is mobilizing direct assistance to  many of those who've suffered catastrophic losses. 

Through Foundation's Supplying Aid to Victims of Emergency (SAVE) program, CPF locals and their departments are on site in Santa Rosa and Napa with hundreds of SAVE value cards. The $100 SAVE cards provide those suffering substantial property with some immediate on-site assistance. 

Some 500 cards have been delivered already, and thousands more are on the way. The assistance is available to families that have suffered a residential loss of at least 25%. cafirefoundation.org/save. 

Other ways to help: A range of relief efforts are being organized for working families and others who've suffered losses in the North Bay Fires. Find a way to help at NBCBayArea.com

FOR OUR MEMBERS

IAFF and CPF local affiliates -- led by Santa Rosa Local 1401 -- have mobilized a coordinated union command post to help coordinate assistance to firefighters and their families who have lost homes. Get complete info for IAFF members affected at iaff1775.org/disasters. 

Though the IAFF Disaster Assistance Program, personnel from the IAFF were dispatched to Santa Rosa, coordinating with Local 1401 and CAL FIRE Local 2881. foundation.iaff.org

Local 1401 and Marin Professional Firefighters Local 1775 have launched an official fund raising site to help those members who have lost homes or property in the fires. Information here at gofundahero.com. You can also text "ffstrong" to 41444 to donate.

The North Bay Central Labor Council is collecting donations to help our union brothers and sisters ... teachers, construction workers, building trades members and others ... whose lives have been upended by the devastation. Help them out at nbclc.activistcentral.net. 

A comprehensive listing of a range of help available for union members and the public alike is available through the California Labor Federation. calaborfed.org

Help us find those affected: CPF, IAFF and our local affiliates are seeking out IAFF members and retirees who may have been affected. If you have lost your home, reach out to your local union or CLICK HERE to forward information. Be sure to include names, your current or former local and how to get in contact with you. 

Keep current: 
Facebook: @CAFirefighters, @IAFFOnline, @santarosafirefighters1401, @cdffirefighters2881
Twitter: @CAFirefighters, @IAFFNewsDesk

Especially when tragedy strikes, the union is all of us.