Legislatures and firefighters

Firefighters are very dependent on taxes and government funding, so when they get cut, the department suffers.  To make sure that their political voices are heard in numbers California firefighters have joined up to make the California Professional Firefighters (CPF).  The CPF is an association that deals with everything from legislation to news.  One of their primary goals is to make sure that pensions and benefits for firefighters do not get cut with other policy reforms.  CPF is very outspoken about their political duty.  This is a statement from their website, “POLITICAL ACTION is a commitment that California Professional Firefighters never backs down from. It's our dedication and strength in numbers that ensures that CPF is always working hard to elect unwavering Pro-Firefighter candidates and policies (CPF.org).  With all the fiscal problems California and the greater United States are having, the government is looking for any corners that they can cut.  The CPF is dedicated to making sure that California’s hard-working heroes still get their benefits and pensions.  The CPF also has a tab on their website that is dedicated to “legislation and issues”.  The California Professional Firefighters association is a mechanism that firefighters use to encourage legislative changes among other things.

CPF has a list of legislation accomplishments listed on their website, “the nations first firefighter cancer presumption law, the California Firefighters Bill of Rights, and a sweeping standard for resolving labor disputes” (Cpf.org).  They are also proud to have a fallen hero memorial at the California State Capitol.  Firefighters are very concerned with the health benefits because their job itself is risky.  Pushing for legislative change that protects them on and off the job is always at the top of the list, like the cancer law.  A big piece of legislation that was passed in September of last year was the Workers’ Compensation law that stated: “ Would provide that certain proceedings related to the collection of death benefits of firefighters and peace officers may be commenced within, but no later than, 480 weeks from the date of injury, and in no event more than one year after the date of death, if the specified criteria are met” (CPF.org).  One problem that the CPF had with this statute was that it kept getting vetoed.  They had to amend it twice and it got passed six months after it was presented.  One thing that CPF does to improve its chances for getting a bill sponsored is co-sponsoring other bills.  They often times team up with EMT or police officer associations to help them sponsor a bill, and in return those associations help them.