SIXTY-FIFTH EDITION

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN IN FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICE

International Association of Women in Fire & Emergency Service (iWomen) is an organization of women and for women - but not for women alone. Male fire chiefs, union presidents, EEO officers and others seeking to make the fire service a professional place where women and men work together harmoniously are finding iWomen a valued source of information and counsel. Our membership includes men in all ranks, as well as institutional members such as fire departments and union locals.

Nonetheless, iWomen is mostly women. As the one organization that speaks specifically for them in their profession, iWomen continues to increase in membership. Hundreds of women firefighters and officers from urban fire departments and state or federal wildland agencies belong, as do EMT's, paramedics, inspectors, dispatchers, and fire service educators. Career and volunteer firefighters and rescue personnel in 48 states and eleven countries are members. Members range from not-yet-hired "wannabe's" to senior officers with more than two decades of service. They are diverse in background, and united in their commitment to their profession. To the fire service, iWomen is their voice.

And that voice is an influential one. iWomen holds seats on several committees and task groups of the National Fire Protection Association, where we have helped establish standards for firefighter qualifications. We often take part in advisory groups providing input to the National Fire Academy, and maintain collegial relationships with the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters and the National Association of Hispanic Firefighters. Two handbooks commissioned by the U.S. Fire Administration and authored by iWomen are considered authoritative references on gender issues in the fire service.

An interactive non-profit network, iWomen provides education, support and advocacy for fire service women. 

At our International Conference held every two years, h undreds of fire service women and men gather to share experiences, challenges and insights in a relaxed and supportive educational setting. On the alternate years, our Leadership Training Seminar provides officer development for women seeking promotion to line and administrative positions.

Local 2881 in support of female leadership in the fire service authorized two Chapter Directors to attend the Conference held in Fairfax County Virginia. Chapter Directors Liz Brown and Toni Davis were sponsored to attend. The host Department was Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, home department of IAFF President Harold Shaitberger. This conference offered a wide range of classes such as: Equality Issues in the Fire Service, How to Be a Better Leader, Operational Command, Auto Extrication and many others. All these classes were taught by instructors who routinely instruct at FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference) and IAFF ALTS (Affiliate Leadership Training Summit). This relaxed and 95% women environment allowed women from all over the world to learn and network in an environment they felt most at ease in. Many women who attended still face adversity within their own department and this provided a friendly, nurturing and supportive environment to discuss those challenges and how to deal and eventually change those environments. 
      
I wish every female in the fire service could attend this event, even if not sponsored, I highly recommend this conference. For more information or to join iWomen visit: iWomen.org

-Liz Brown
San Bernardino Chapter Director

Liz & Toni at the 2018 Conference
TAKING CARE OF OUR OWN

On June 14, President Allen visited LNU firefighter Justin Costa who was injured while battling a structure fire in his unit. He received treatment at the UC Davis Burn Center and has been back home healing. Justin credits not just his gear, but wearing it properly to saving his life. He is also thankful for his partner in helping get him to safety and the CHP officer who helped get his damaged gear off quickly. 

Justin is appreciative of the immediate support he and his family received from  CAL FIRE Local 2881 and the Firefighters Burn Institute. Both organizations  jumped to action to ensure he was getting the proper treatment and that his family was taken care of while he was at the hospital. 

A special thanks to 10th District IAFF Vice President Frank Lima, for coordinating assistance for Justin which also included a letter from IAFF President Harold Schaitberger.  Justin is hopeful he will be able to return to work in early July. 

 

DID YOU KNOW 
 
Prior to 1975, CAL FIRE employees were charged $1 per night to sleep at their station while they were on duty.

IT'S MEN'S HEALTH WEEK! 

Men's Health Week is the week before Father's Day!

menshealthmonth.org

Goal of Men's Health Week
The purpose of Men's Health Week is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

This week gives health care providers, public policy makers, the media, and individuals an opportunity to encourage men and boys to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease and injury. The response has been overwhelming with hundreds of awareness activities in the USA and around the globe. For a partial list of activities,  click here.

Men's Health is a Family Issue
"Recognizing and preventing men's health problems is not just a man's issue.
Because of its impact on wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters, men's health is truly a family issue."     -Congressman Bill Richardson

For more information on men's health go to the  Men's Health Network.

RETIRED MEMBERS

We need your help!

CAL FIRE Local 2881 is looking at the possibility of enhancing the benefits provided to retired members by adding a life insurance benefit (similar to what we offer our active members). 

Check your mail for a flyer and please respond as we need 1,000 replies to assess the benefits. 
JUNE 27 IS PTSD AWARENESS DAY

IN THE NEWS
THE TRIBUNE, 6/7/2018
 
San Luis Obispo firefighter Thomas Kofron is no stranger to high-stakes situations. He saved his family's home from a devastating wildfire using only bottled water and orange juice. 

On Wednesday, Kofron faced an even tougher challenge: surviving an extreme obstacle course on national TV.

Kofron, who works for Cal Fire, appeared Wednesday on  NBC's "American Ninja Warrior,"which challenges competitors to prove their physical mettle in the hopes of winning $1 million.  READ MORE

JORDAN FENSTER, 6/7/2018

Fires burn hotter nowadays than they did 50 years ago, according to Mike Healy. 

It's modern construction materials, held together with flammable glue, and the prevalence of plastics in our homes, he said. 

"Just the way the fires burn today is an immense difference. The fires are much hotter," Healy said. "When I joined the fire department in 1970 you could go into a fire without an air tank. Now, if you went into a fire five feet without your mask on, you'd be unconscious."   READ MORE

SOPHIE QUINTON, 6/8/2018

Strict liability rules in California could leave utilities on the hook for billions of dollars in damage from recent wildfires. They're fighting back.
California utilities might have to pay billions of dollars in damage if state investigators find their power lines sparked last year's devastating wildfires. And they'll face similar bills in the future, whenever a tree falls across a power line and sparks a fire that reduces homes, hotels and schools to ashes.    READ MORE

5 NUTRITION HACKS FOR FIREFIGHTERS
AARON ZAMZOW, 6/1/2018
 
There's a popular slogan in the fitness industry that "You can't out-exercise a bad diet." Eating pizza, having a beer and finishing with some ice cream sounds great, but it will not help you perform or look better on the fire and rescue scene regardless of how much you exercise. Sure, that diet may have worked for you when you were 17, but as you age, your metabolism slows, and you've probably realized that a better performance and physique starts in the kitchen. 

Eating in the firehouse-or should I say, eating healthy in the firehouse-can be a very difficult task. There is usually an abundance of baked goods from grateful citizens and really good cooks. Cooking in the firehouse is even more difficult. Cook something healthy and hear about it from your crew. Cook something tasty and it's probably filled with calories and fat. This usually leads to large servings and excess food for later meals.

But all is not lost. There are five simple nutrition tips that will help you stay fit and keep your weight under control READ THE TIPS

  Richard J. Ernest Scholarships
2018-2019 

There will be eight (8) $1000 scholarship awards given this year to members or their dependents.  Information and application forms can be accessed on our members website at www.calfirelocal2881.org under the "Info - RJ Ernest Scholarship" tab or by calling headquarters at 916-609-8700.

The postmark deadline for all who wish to apply is TODAYJune 15th for the 2018-2019 Richard J. Ernest Scholarship applications.


  • All-you can eat Picnic at your favorite theme parks!
  • Legoland: Lego City deep sea adventure
  • Get set for Summer with purchasing power
  • Accidental death & disbursement insurance plan
  • Liberty Mutual auto and home insurance

Visit Cal CSEA for more information!

 


June is PTSD Awareness Month!  Learn more

UPCOMING EVENTS
 
IAFF PEP 10TH DISTRICT 
JUNE 19 - 20

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
JULY 24 - 26

IAFF  CONVENTION
AUGUST 6 - 10

BUDGET PREP MEETING
AUGUST 21 - 22

IAFF MEMORIAL
SEPTEMBER 15

EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
SEPTEMBER 18 - 20

CALIFORNIA FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL
SEPTEMBER 29

NATIONAL FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL
OCTOBER 7 - 8

CDF FIREFIGHTERS BENEVOLENT
 FOUNDATION
Provides funds for immediate life sus taining assistance to firefighters and their families who have suffered debilitating injury or loss of life.

For more information or to donate, visit the website.

CDF Fire Fighters Benevolent Foundation
"Choose Your Prize" Raffle
2018 Raffle Winners
Lake Tahoe - Ballie Howard, Corning, CA
Carlsbad Inn - Anthony Rhoades, Aptos, CA
Bend Oregon Condo - Melissa Frenn, Placerville, CA
Half Moon Bay Golf - June Malm, Woodland, CA
Pig Hunt - Doug Freeman, Red Bluff, CA
Chain Saw - John Sanders, Gardnerville, NV
Brew Tour - Carl Nicolson, Valley Springs, CA

CAL FIRE LOCAL 2881
NO ONE LEFT BEHIND
Proceeds support the Firefighters Cancer Support Network.

For more information, visit the website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

October 28, 2018
Half Moon Bay Golf Links

INDIVIDUAL SPONSORSHIP
    • $1,000 Golf Foursome Participation
    • $250 Single Player
    • $35 Adult BBQ Guest
    • $10 Child BBQ Guest
Click  here for more information!

 CALIFORNIA STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION
 

CAL FIRE Local 2881 partnered up with CSEA which entitles our members to benefits like:
For more information, visit the website .

CAL FIRE Local 2881  likes to stay connected with our membership.  We want to make sure every member has an updated mailing address.

Below is a list of both Active and Retired members that have bad addresses.  If your name is on the list or you have recently moved,  please contact Danielle at (916) 277-9885 or  dkelsch@L2881.org to update your address.







FOR MORE UPDATES, EVENTS & NEWS VISIT OUR WEBSITE: