Our Legislation

Historic Wins for Firefighter Health

Tue, 21 Jan 2020 00:00:00 -0700

The 2019 Legislative Session produced important wins for firefighters, including a groundbreaking presumption law for post-traumatic stress injury and next-level confidentiality protection for firefighters and peer counselors. READ THE FULL STORY

CPF President Praises Gov. Newsom's Wildfire Emergency Announcement

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 00:00:00 -0700

With California’s back-to-back unprecedented wildfire years, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state wildfire emergency to address the urgency of protecting our most vulnerable communities.

CPF-Backed Legislation Moving Forward

Thu, 14 Jun 2018 00:00:00 -0700

CPF's pro-firefighter priority legislation continues to move forward in the process, with all CPF measures still alive and active in both houses.

Firefighter Apprenticeship Gets Big Boost in Gov's Proposed Budget

Fri, 12 Jan 2018 00:00:00 -0700

Thanks to a strong push from CPF, the new state budget allocates millions to bolster apprenticeship program, including firefighter training provided by Cal-JAC

Advocacy: Tell the Governor to Fund California's Apprenticeship Programs

Fri, 03 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0700

Massive mutual aid responses in California have become increasingly common, as the risk from wildfire, flooding and other natural disasters grows more ominous. In order to mitigate these threats, our firefighters need to be able to work together effectively without jurisdictional restrictions. Submit a letter of support for standardized, apprenticeship training funding today.

CPF, CalChiefs Join to Urge State to Invest in Disaster Response

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 00:00:00 -0700

California’s world-class mutual aid response system is being stretched to its limits, and needs help to ensure that our state is ready for climate disasters. That's the message delivered in Sacramento by labor and management in a call for secure investment to address the extreme threats of climate-related disasters.

CPF Firevision - Is California Ready?

Thu, 14 May 2015 00:00:00 -0700

With our drought-ravaged state facing the threat of a historic wildfire season, California’s emergency preparedness is front and center.

New York Times Video Sheds Light on Toxic Flame Retardants

Mon, 04 May 2015 00:00:00 -0700

The New York Times "Retro Report" delves into the risks caused by the more than 80,000 flame retardant chemicals in use today.

Gov. Signs CPF-Backed Toxic Flame Retardant Disclosure Law

Tue, 30 Sep 2014 00:00:00 -0700

In a move that could ultimately reduce firefighters' exposure to cancer-causing toxins, Gov. Jerry Brown has signed Senate Bill 1019. The CPF-sponsored legislation would require that furniture manufacturers disclose the use of toxic flame retardant chemicals linked to cancer and other illnesses.

Package of pro-firefighter legislation headed to governor’s desk

Fri, 29 Aug 2014 00:00:00 -0700

In the final days of the state’s legislative session, California Professional Firefighters (CPF) was able to notch several decisive victories in the Legislature.

Action Alert - Chemical Lobby Threatens Pro-Firefighter Bill

Wed, 27 Aug 2014 00:00:00 -0700

The state Assembly has approved CPF-supported SB 1019, disclosing cancer-causing flame retardants linked to job-related cancer in firefighters. the chemical companies are still trying to kill it in the Senate. Help us push back: CLICK HERE to contact your TODAY.

Flame Retardant Documentary "Toxic Hot Seat" Screening in Berkeley

Thu, 17 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0700

As part of the effort to remove cancer-causing chemical flame retardants from furniture, the documentary "Toxic Hot Seat" will be screened this Wednesday in Berkeley. CPF is sponsoring legislation requiring labeling of cancer-causing chemical flame retardants in furniture.

Gov. Signs Bill Extending Memorial Tax Check-Off

Wed, 16 Jul 2014 00:00:00 -0700

Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation honoring the sacrifice of California’s fallen public safety heroes. Assembly Bill 1561 by Assemblymember Fred Rodriguez (D-Los Angeles) extends the current voluntary tax check-offs for the California Firefighters Memorial and the California Peace Officers Memorial to 2021.

CPF Firevision - Firefighters and Toxic Flame Retardants

Thu, 26 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0700

WATCH: CPF-sponsored legislation (SB 1019) would expose the use of flame retardant chemicals that produced cancer-causing agents when they burn, putting firefighters and the public at risk.

Chemical Industry Targets CPF Bill Protecting FFs From Toxic Flame Retardants

Tue, 24 Jun 2014 00:00:00 -0700

The nation's largest chemical companies have trained their hired guns on CPF-sponsored legislation that would call out the use of toxic chemical flame retardants that put firefighters at risk of job-related cancer. Lobbying didn't prevent bipartisan support in major committee test Tuesday.

Brown Signs Death Benefits Protection for Fallen Firefighter Families

Wed, 14 May 2014 00:00:00 -0700

Governor Jerry Brown has signed CPF-sponsored legislation easing an arbitrary limit on survivor benefits for the families of firefighters stricken by job-related cancer.

Opinion: What’s in a Word? When It Comes to Chuck Reed’s Pension Reform, Plenty

Mon, 03 Feb 2014 00:00:00 -0700

This opinion piece from PublicCEO.com takes San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed to task for using the word "eliminate' in his own ballot measure description. So why is he suing Attorney Governor Harris for using the same word in describing his proposal to end the vested benefit rights of public employees?

CPF-Backed Legislation Introduced to Extend Memorial Tax Check-off

Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:00:00 -0700

Legislation allowing Californians to continue honoring the memory – and helping the surviving families – of fallen public safety officers was introduced earlier today in the California Assembly. Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez is authoring AB 1561 to extend the sunset date of the state’s voluntary personal income tax check-offs for the California Firefighters Memorial Fund.

Governor's Budget Offers Modest Increases, Boosts Rainy Day Fund

Thu, 09 Jan 2014 00:00:00 -0700

Governor Jerry Brown's 2014-2015 State Budget has been released. Thanks to a huge surplus, the spending plan calls for modest increases in many areas, while paying down billions in debt.

Compromise on Campaign Reform Protects Taxpayers, Non-Profits

Fri, 30 Aug 2013 00:00:00 -0700

Compromise was reached late Friday on CPF-backed legislation -- SB 594 -- to provide greater disclosure of campaign spending by taxpayer-financed non-profits and strengthen the ban on using public dollars for political campaigns.

CPF Firevision -- Firefighter Survivor Benefits

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0700

CPF-backed legislation (AB 1373) would protect benefits for fallen firefighter survivors from an outdated and cruel "expiration date."

CPF Firevision -- 2013 Legislative Conference

Wed, 29 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

Pressing the Case: CPF members meet face-to-face with California lawmakers on firefighter issues at 2013 Daniel A. Terry Legislative Conference.

FF Survivor Bill Hits Home with Fire-Stricken Ventura Lawmaker

Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 -0700

Even as his home was being evacuated, Assm. Jeff Gorell stood up for firefighters by supporting AB 1373 -- CPF-sponsored legislation designed to help the survivors of firefighters who die from job-related cancer.

Bleak US Retirement Future Thanks to Loss of Pensions

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 00:00:00 -0700

The next generation of retirees will be measurably worse off thanks, in large measure, to the end of defined benefit pensions. According to the Washington Post, the U.S. faces a $6 trillion retirement savings deficit that will likely mean greater pressure on the social safety net and more poverty among the elderly.

Brown Releases Budget, Says Deficit is Gone

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0700

For the first time since before the Great Recession, California's budget does not have a deficit. So says Gov. Jerry Brown, who released his proposed 2013-2014 spending plan.

CPF Legislative Wrap-Up: 2012 Session

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Reforms to protect the firefighter image and close loopholes that have cost families survivor benefits were among the successful legislative victories for firefighters as the 2012 Legislative Session closes.

Bipartisan Work Comp Reforms OK'ed By Legislature

Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Employee benefits will rise, medical restrictions will be modified, red tape will be cut and employer rates will go down under a CPF-backed Workers' Comp reform measure approved by the Legislature.

FFs Make Case for Removing Toxins from Flame Retardants

Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Uniformed firefighters from Stockton and San Gabriel joined medical researchers, furniture manufacturers and environmental groups at a legislative hearing to call for an end to the use of dangerous toxins in furniture.

FF Cancer Risk Cited in Bid to Reform Flame Retardant Standard

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700

CPF- and IAFF-backed efforts to get cancer-causing toxins out of fire retardants got a boost when Gov. Jerry Brown issued a directive to revise California’s decades-old flammability standard.

Fire Ops 101 At The State Capitol

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 00:00:00 -0700

State lawmakers were challenged to "take the heat" at CPF's Fire Ops 101 at the State Capitol. The training exercises simulate fire conditions to give policy makers a chance to spend some time in a firefighter's boots.

Non-Partisan Analyst: End of Redevelopment Means Billions for Vital Services

Thu, 31 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Ending redevelopment will eventually produce $5 billion of additional general fund money for vital services. So says the non-partisan Legislative Analyst's office. According to a new LAO report, local agencies will eventually see an increase of up to 15% in available property tax revenue without redevelopment.

CPF Firevision - Apprenticeship Works

Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Apprenticeship Works -- New documentary outlines value of firefighter and building trades apprentices in training for the jobs of the future.

California Public Pension Funds Rebounded in 2010

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 -0700

A new Census Bureau report indicates that California's retirement funds helped pace a national rebound in pension fund returns. According to the new report, state and local pension funds in California grew at a 12.4% rate in 2010, surpassing the national average of 10.6%.

Governor's Pension Plans Target Current and Future Workers

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 -0700

Governor Brown has released details of his plan to roll back the retirement security of current and future employees. The plan proposes to bypass collective bargaining by imposing a range of pension rollbacks and locking them into the state constitution. CPF and dozens of other organizations denounced the move as an assault on current and future workers.