California Fire Service - December 2011 by California State Firefighters' Association

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER ISSUE 2011

Published since 1927 by California State Firefightersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Association

www.csfa.net

INSIDE:

Fire Department in Focus

Using motor learning theory to teach firefighters

Alturas FD marks 100 years

Trinity County joins CSFA training program

FREE BONUS INSERT 2012 Hot Shot Calendar!

The California Fire Service published by CSFA since 1927 2701 K Street, Suite 201 Sacramento, CA 95816 800-451-2732 • www.csfa.net Become a fan of CSFA on Facebook Executive Editor, Kevin Nida krnida@krnida.com

November/December 2011 • Volume 22, No. 6

Editor, Gary Giacomo ggiacomo@csfa.net

Fire Department in Focus: Alturas Fire Department By Stephen Jacques

Artist, Dave Hubert dhubie@cox.net

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Design and Layout Mary Burroughs MaryBurroughsStudio.com mjbgraphicdesign@aol.com

Using motor learning theory to teach firefighter skills

Editorial deadline 1st of the month preceding publication date (916) 410-1394 For display advertising rates and deadlines call Frank Swift at (800) 506-4ADS.

By By Thomas J. Kiesewetter and Richard L. Resurreccion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

8 Does radio-frequency radiation cause firefighter cancer? By Richard E. Elder, Jr.

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Departments/Features

For classified advertising rates and deadlines call Gary Giacomo at (916) 410-1394 The California Fire Service ISSN: 1048-5074 (USPS 083920) is published bi-monthly by the California State Firefighters’ Association, Inc., 2701 K Street, Suite 201, Sacramento, CA 95816, a non-profit organization formed in 1922 by firefighters to serve firefighters. Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, CA and an additional mailing office. Copyright 2011 California State Firefighters’ Association. No material can be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to: The California Fire Service, 2701 K Street, Suite 201, Sacramento, CA 95816. Address editorial contributions to the above address, attention editor. Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material. Views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent CSFA policies or positions

Hot Shots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Legislative Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Mike’s Musings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28

CSFA News Benefit in Focus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Benefits Resource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 -23 Book Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 CSFA Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 CSFA in the News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18-19 Director’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Fire Service Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Fire Service Databank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Hubie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

• THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

ON THE COVER: Firefighters from Alturas Fire Department work a structure fire. See related Fire Department in Focus beginning on page 6. Photo courtesy Alturas Fire Department.

By Kevin Nida, Los Angeles Fire Department, is the president of the California State Firefighters’ Association.

President’s Message

The State of the CSFA: On track, engaged, and ready for a new year

CSFA President, I want to give you an update on the State of the Association, and to quell any misinformation that may be circulating about our association. This communiqué contains the facts: yes, we have laid off some staff, and yes we have postponed (but not cancelled) our annual conference. However please allow me to explain these actions and how they are both related to prudent financial management and administration of your annual dues. Like many other businesses, we have experienced our share of financial turmoil the past three years. When I was elected in 2004, we had an operating budget that was $700,000 greater annually that it is today. We relied heavily on donations and fundraising from the general public to augment member dues. Realizing that increasing dues is not popular, and in an effort to not cut programs, we looked to these outside revenue streams. However, in bad economic times, those streams dropped significantly. The Board, along with the budget and finance committee, worked very hard to balance financial frugality with the needs of the members. As a result, the Board decided to eliminate an administrative staff position in Sacramento, and with Board concurrence, John Dane, our Executive Director resigned. The elimination of personnel will significantly relieve our budget challenges and those positions will remain vacant. Three field staff

members have agreed to temporarily reduce their hours and have graciously volunteered some of their time as well. The NTA cancer and shortterm disability insurance field reps are also augmenting our staff members and have already signed up over 150 new CSFA members. Way to go NTA! To handle day-to-day management in Sacramento, we selected Gene Gantt, retired Fire Chief from the Benicia Fire Department and long-time CSFA PAC trustee, as our Interim Executive Director. Gene has agreed graciously to be compensated very modestly and share his workload with the existing staff, Board members and committee chairs. I, along with other Board members have taken on additional projects formerly handled by the Executive Director to keep CSFA moving in a positive direction at less cost to the membership. The CSFA office staff has stepped up to the challenge and is working diligently to keep all of our various moving parts moving in concert and continues to serve you in the manner to which you are accustomed. We have about 100 staff, directors, deputy directors, committee chairs and committee members to delegate a little more work to, and that we will.

How does all of this affect me? Financial challenges have hit everyone, and we are no different, but

Continued on page 12

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 • THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE •

Fire Department in Focus

By Stephen Jacques

Alturas Fire Department marks 100 years of quality service

he Alturas fire Department was founded on December 21, 1911. It serves the city of Alturas, the county seat of Modoc County. According to the Alturas Plaindealer; the history of the department began August 14, 1908 “Alturas was aroused Sunday night with an alarm of the fire. The entire population of the town turned out to stand around and see the old shack, in which the bakery was located, burn to the ground. Having no appliances to fight fire, all they could do was stand around and see it burn”. At that time it was decided that something needed to be done. However it took some time to get the department organized. In December of 1911, when the people of Alturas were still putting out their own fires (when they could) a meeting was held at the Pit River Hardware store for the purpose of organizing a fire department for the town of Alturas. At the meeting A.K. Wylie was elected president and Harry Lewis was elected Chief. Regular meetings were held in the hotel Morse through 1912, but by fall of that year it became necessary to ask all citizens to attend a meeting at the pump house to arouse interest in the success of the department. The meeting was considered successful. In 1912 the department purchased a chemical engine, two hand-pushed carts and 1000 feet of hose; a need was felt for more members at that time. The department continued to meet where they could until the board of trustees of the town approved a resolution on March 10, 1915 to put a second story on the pump house, making a place to meet upstairs and space for two hose carts and the chemical engine

to Mark Belli, converted into a truck locally. In July 1916 “Forest Cantrall, a Modoc County boy of the inventor-genius sort” sold the town Board of Trustees a fire alarm system with ten boxes around the town setting off an indicator in the central station at the Modoc Garage and causing an electric siren to blow the number of the box three times with 15 second intervals. Cost was $250 paid $50 down and $50 per month, according to the Alturas Plaindealer which was the newspaper of the day. The new American La-France fire truck arrived on Monday, June 18, 1929 with a factory representative to instruct the department in its use and men from the insurance underwriters to run tests. This truck is still with the department to this day and is used during parades and other activities. A sad bit of history occurred on April 19, 1933; while responding to a fire John R. Bonner was seriously injured by a fire truck. John suffered a fractured sternum that resulted in a pulmonary embolism which caused his death on May 26, 1933. Mr. Bonner is the only fatality this department has suffered to date. A monument on his behalf stands in front of the Alturas City hall. In 1950 the city was zoned and a new alarm system installed which was to blow the code number of the zone the fire is in so that firefighters, not on a truck, may go directly to the fire. During February and March firefighters completely remodeled the fire hall at no cost to the city. The garage under the fire hall was then housing four

Alturas Fire Department members pose in front of the fire station.

A training burn in 2009.

downstairs. The cost was $1500. To create support for the bond election, a free picture show was given by the department in April. As a side note to the history of the department, the AFD Volunteers still use this upstairs portion of the old fire hall for monthly business meetings. In the last year the department has begun badly needed restoration work to this historic building. At the meeting November 5, 1915, the Department proposed to buy its fire “auto truck” to mount all the hose, ladders, lanterns and equipment and be stored in the Modoc Garage. Mr. Renshaw and Mr. Close, garage owners who were selling the vehicle, offered to store the truck, keep it running and furnish drivers at any time day or night at no cost to the Department. The vehicle was an Overland, according

trucks. Buster Spicer, longtime member of the department and eventual Fire Chief stated in 1951 that “Chief McCaw was the one that really whipped us into shape. It was under him that we got Alturas the Class 4 Insurance rating when they said it couldn’t be done”. The AFD maintains this Class 4 rating to this day, something that is a great source of pride for the members of the department. Through the hard work of the dedicated volunteers and the creativity shown in equipment purchasing, the department should maintain this rating into the future. The old Reno Stage/Greyhound depot was purchased by the city for $24,000 in February 1959 as the new fire station. New living quarters for the necessary sleepers on the department were added to the

• THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

newly-acquired fire barn with a $30,000 bond issue in 1965.This fire barn still serves the department to this day. It is currently a six bay truck barn with a two person sleeper quarters upstairs. During 1995, under then Chief Roger Dorris, the Fire Department took on a new mission and began responding to medical calls. The idea was met with some reservation by the members of the department, but they saw a need to help the people of Alturas and agreed to do it; it has been going strong ever since. The department’s dedication to this task has not gone unnoticed. Many times the patient on scene is surprised at how many people come to help when they need it, and are truly surprised when they find out we are all volunteers responding from our homes and businesses. On average the department responds to 250 calls for medical assistance per year. Around 1998 the department felt the need for better training facilities but with budgets being tight, or nonexistent, the department had to be creative. The department was able to procure three railroad box cars and through hours of volunteer time and donations of materials we were able to build a training center. Although not at as nice as most, this center provides live fire and rescue training for the AFD volunteers and is also used by other local agencies for training activities. The Alturas Fire Department serves approximately 2800 people in the community of Alturas. Our community hasn’t grown in many years, and we have actually realized a small reduction in population. There are two state highways that intersect within the city; they serve as a main route into Nevada and areas to the south. There is typically an increase in the population during the hunting seasons as many people access the area’s deer and waterfowl hunting opportunities. The AFD enjoys tremendous community support. Even during these difficult times the citizenry still makes donations to the department and support our annual ticket sales. The AFD is one of the few volunteer agencies that have to turn away prospective firefighters because our roster is usually full. While most agencies fight to add volunteers, we have to put them on waiting lists or suggest they talk with some of our neighboring departments that are looking for volunteers. On average our volunteers collectively spend around 900 hours per year at practice and over a thousand hours per year on calls; that is nearly two thousand hours per year spent in their volunteer activity.

A newspaper clipping from 1931 showing the department on parade.

ALTURAS FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEFS LIST Harry Lewis - 1911 to 1917 L G Renshaw - 1917 to 1921 William S Brown - 1921 George McGrath - between 1921 & 1927 L.G. Ingraham - between 1921 & 1927 C.E. Ebbe - 1927 to 1932 C.W. Mapes - 1932 to 1936 Bill Mayben - 1936 to 1939 Bob Stevens - 1939 to 1941 William McCaw - 1941 to 1943 Bill Mayben - 1943 to 1946 William McCaw - 1946 to 1963 Lovell Ingraham - 1963 to 1968 B.W. Spicer - 1968 to 1978 Jim Porter - 1978 to 1992 Roger Dorris - 1992 to 2003 Joe Watters - 2003 to 2005 Keith Jacques - 2005 to Present

the AFD along with assistance from the Alturas Rural Fire Department and engines from Cal Fire fought the blaze through most of the night. The AFD has also made great strides in including other departments in our training activities. Most recently the AFD and trucks from Cal Fire and the Alturas Rural Fire Department completed a wildland training burn within the city limits of Alturas. In the recent past we have had many young people come into the Department and help increase our numbers; these younger persons have energized the department as a whole. The membership of this department is very diverse we have member that are in their 20’s and one member, Jim Porter that has 54 years of service to the AFD. The mix of these newer firefighters along with us “old timers” provides this department a great deal of talent, energy and experience. But our Department has never forgotten where we came from; we always try to include our retired members in our activities. Whether it be a fund raiser, picnic, dinner meeting or in our anniversary photo, we know that we are the quality department we are today because of these Continued on page 30

In 1929 this rig was the talk of the town.

The department has made great strides in the last 5 years in keeping up with the times on a limited budget. We have become experts at doing something with nothing. The department recently added a pumper and is very excited about the addition of a 75 foot quint. While none of this equipment has been new, it has all been of good quality and serves the people of this community well. The AFD works with other local agencies through mutual aid agreements and sometimes just plain being a good neighbor, to provide assistance to outlying areas. We have also utilized the services of these neighboring departments within our response area. The most recent incident occurred when a local lumber mill caught fire,

The department’s personnel in 1939.

ALTURAS FIRE DEPARTMENT STATISTICS • Population served - 2800 • Area served - 2.5 square miles • Budget - $ 120,000 • Station - 1 • Personnel - 38 volunteers – 1 paid Fire Marshal • Incidents - 283 total calls – 248 medical calls, 35 fire calls • Apparatus - 3 – pumpers, 1- 75 foot quint, 2 wildland trucks, 1- rescue

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 • THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE •

Education & Training

By Thomas J. Kiesewetter and Richard L. Resurreccion

Using motor learning theory to teach firefighter skills

ssume you are the Training Officer for a moderate sized fire department that generally selects probationary firefighters from California Fire Marshal accredited community college fire academies. Your command staff has selected two probationary fire fighters: Maria Marquez Torres and Jonathan Robertson. Your assignment is to ensure that Maria and Jonathan possess basic firefighter competencies prior to being assigned to the “floor.” Maria graduated from her basic fire academy a year and a half ago and then went on six months of active military duty for basic and advance training for the United States Army Reserve. She has been working approximately six months as an EMT-1 for an ambulance company. Jonathan completed his basic fire academy two years ago and since then he has worked as a building construction helper for a residential remodeling firm. On weekends he works as an EMT-1 for a local community hospital. On their first day with your agency you conduct a comprehensive basic skills assessment. You are generally pleased with each probationary firefighter’s performance; however, there are a few skill areas in need of minor retraining, but Jonathan needs significant work on the use of the hydraulic spreader-cutter rescue tool. (The hydraulic rescue tool is in fact a very powerful dangerous machine.) You, along with your training staff, decide to start from the beginning teaching Jonathan the correct, safe operation of this machine. Here is the challenge: What is the best strategy to increase the probability that in a short period of training Jonathan will be competent to operate the hydraulic rescue tool (i.e., machine) in a real world rescue situation? This was the type of basic question that faced the Long Beach Fire Department Training cadre in 2000. A study of best applied theory led then Captain Thomas Kiesewetter and Dr. Richard L. Resurreccion to develop a modified version of the Fitts and Posner model of motor learning (Kiesewetter, 2003). The Fitts and Posner model emphasizes that the motor teachinglearning process takes place in three stages of learning: cognitive (thinking), associative (proactive), and autonomic (automatic) (Young, LaCourse, & Husak, 2000). In the cognitive stage phase, the learner may cautiously think through the procedural steps and the reasons for the steps. The learner literally talks to himself/herself. Initially, the learner will probably perform movements awkwardly and will make many gross movement errors. The learner “cannot walk and chew gum at the same time.” Positive instructor feedback is essential. Sufficient practice should reduce errors and at this point the learner is in the associative/practice stage/phase. The learner and instructor will notice a continuing reduction in the frequency and magnitude of errors. Once again, positive instructor feedback is essential to promote skill refinement. The autonomic/automatic stage/phase is characterized by relatively consistent correct actions and very few minor errors. Here the learner “can walk and chew gum at the same time.” In other words, the learner does not have to think too much about performing a motor operation. Supervision of the learner’s actions during the association/practice stage/phase is very important (a) to ensure safe, correct action and (b) to provide accurate, positive feedback. Initially, the supervision is di-

rect, i.e., “standing over the learner’s shoulders.” As the learner’s competency improves, the supervision gradually becomes less direct and more in-direct, i.e., the instructor may, depending on the safety of the operation, occasionally trust the learner’s ability. See Figure 1.

Figure 1

Here is an example of how the modified Fitts and Posner motor learning model is applied. The fire training officer carefully and systematically explains and demonstrates how to safely climb a metal wall ladder. As the instructor reaches the “goose neck” at the parapet, he/she loudly calls out simultaneously with each task step, “hand, foot, foot, hand.” Next, it is the recruit’s turn to perform the motor action. The training officer now asks before allowing him/her to climb the ladder to explain how to climb the metal wall ladder. As the recruit explains the process, the training officer provides positive feedback. If the training officer sufficiently satisfied with the recruit’s explanation, the recruit is permitted to climb the ladder. While climbing the ladder, the recruit verbalizes his task steps as he performs each step. Let us now return to the case of Jonathan’s need to develop competency in the use of the hydraulic spreader/cutter rescue tool. Captain Kiesewetter in 2001 developed a method for teaching the basics of the hydraulic spreader/cutter. In prior academies the LBFD cadre taught the use of this rescue tool simultaneously with the two week curriculum on vehicle extrication. Many recruits found it overwhelming because they had to learn about vehicle construction and apply that knowledge to the motor task of operating the hydraulic rescue tool. This rescue tool is in fact a very heavy machine requiring the mastery of gross and fine motor skills. Many recruits were cognitively overloaded. Kiesewetter’s goal was to have each recruit “feel one with the rescue tool” prior to ever applying the skill in a vehicle extrication exercise. What do we mean by being “one with the tool”? Here is a very simple example. How much cognitive processing (i.e., talking to yourself) are you aware of when you use a fork when you eat dinner? You use your knife, fork, and spoon at an autonomic/automatic level, because you have mastered the competencies. This same level of tool mastery may be seen in a journey-level carpenter’s use of a skill saw or a cross-country truck driver’s ability to drive an 18 wheeler. Captain Kiesewetter, with the support of LBFD training cadre, decided to focus on developing each recruit to be “one with” the hydraulic rescue tool. Thus, prior to ever reaching the two week module Continued on page 26

• THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

Legislative Report

Afrack Vargas, CSFA Legislative Advocate

Challenging year comes to a close as pension attacks intensify

was a busy year this year, and we were able to beat back many of the attacks on public employee pensions and benefits, but we are still nervous about next year. Governor Brown has announced his pension plan for next year. The Governor’s proposal is a 12 point outline that would fundamentally change public pensions in California. We take issue with most of the assertions contained in the Governor’s proposal. Our overwhelming opposition to this reform stems from the fact that it is framed from the standpoint that public employee pensions are somehow the root cause of California’s fiscal crisis. This is simply not true, and it is not just public employee groups and labor unions who are saying this. A recent column in the Los Angeles Times noted: “Let’s be clear: State employee pensions are not to blame for Sacramento’s budget deficit. Not by any math.” A thorough investigative report by in March by Sacramento-based McClatchy Newspapers noted: “There's simply no evidence that state pensions are the current burden to public finances that their critics claim.” Still the myths are exist, and those who wish to make firefighters, teachers, and law enforcement officers the “whipping boys” will not let up. It is important that each of us in the fire service act as individual truth squad members to help expose these myths whenever they come up --- whether it is in casual conversation at a holiday party or ed-

itorialized in a newspaper. Repetition of a lie does not magically make it true. A few of the most flagrant myths are presented below with the facts that you can use to make an informed argument. You can see that the facts rely on doing the math correctly, but the myths are more sexy fodder for the view-with-alarm headlines that help sell newspapers or as bait to attract audiences to radio call-in shows. Myth: Police and firefighters retire at age 50 with 90 percent of pay. Fact: CalPERS records indicate that over the last seven years, safety workers who retired at age 50 with 30 years of service represented 1 percent of all those retired. The reason very few ever would receive this level pension is that they would have had to start working at age 20 to earn 30 years. Most start their safety careers at age 27, 28, or 29. Twelve percent of all public safety members are subject to the 3 percent at age 55 formula. They would need 37.5 years of service at age 50 to get 90 percent, and would have had to start working at age 12.5 to earn 37.5 years. Only 7 percent of all public agency safety members are subject to the 2 percent at age 50 formula. They would need to have 45 years of service at age 50 to get 90 percent, and would have had to start working at age 5 to earn 45 years. Myth: The average CalPERS pensioner gets 80 percent of their pay.

President’s Message - continued from page 5 how we are handling those challenges is different. Luckily, the CSFA Board, deputies, chairs and committee members are not compensated, so the financial adjustments by eliminating paid personnel will provide a significant savings to the association. We have asked all committee chairs to eliminate out-of-state travel, and limit in-state travel to essential meetings only and use our video conferencing service in place of travel. The Board decided to move the CSFA annual Conference back to its traditional time slot of September instead of March to spread out the cost to the association. Participating at Firehouse World and having conference in the same quarter stressed cash flow. Moving conference to September helps eliminate that issue. We will be using more digital communication and more frequent eNewsletters to give members more information without the added costs of printing and mailing. The Board conducts weekly conference calls keeping all of us informed and up to speed to ensure financial issues are handled without travel to

Fact: The average CalPERS member receives 50 percent or less of their pay in retirement. Myth: The State of California and taxpayers pay the total cost of public pensions. Fact: All government workers contribute to their CalPERS pensions. For state employees, the range is five to eight percent of their monthly earnings; for public agencies it is five to nine percent. Although the vast majority pays five percent, firefighters, peace officers, and the CHP pay eight percent. Myth: Pension Costs for the State of California have increased by 2000 percent in the last 10 years. Fact: This statement compares a time when the State paid little or nothing during years of robust investment earnings and took a pension holiday to the recent market cycle extremes and current economic downturn. Fact: In 1981-82, pension contributions for the largest category of employees cost the State 19.6 percent of payroll. For the current 2009-10 fiscal year the state is paying 16.9 percent. Fact: The State of California pays less as a percentage of payroll today than it did in the early 1980s. At CSFA we are long-standing members of the coalition “Californians for Retirement Security”. We encourage everyone to visit the web site www.LetsTalkPensions.com for more information about this important public policy issue.

Sacramento. We have been able to defer some financial obligations, and as a result of the adjustments we have and are making we will have a balanced budget throughout the remainder of this year. The CSFA Board is very engaged in the challenges of operating the association in tough economic times. We know raising dues is like raising taxes, so we are not going to ask for a dues increase at this time. We are very confident we will have excellent news by the 2012 Conference. I would like to thank the Board members, and our spouses who allow us to put in countless hours into this historic association we all love. My personal goal and guarantee is that CSFA will be working as hard for its members at our centennial celebration in 2022 as it is now, and even better with the new plans and programs that will generate new revenue for CSFA. On behalf of the CSFA Board and staff I wish each of you a safe and happy holiday season and a prosperous new year. Kevin R. Nida of the Los Angeles Fire Department is President of CSFA. He may be reached at krnida@krnida.com

• THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION Required by 39 U.S.C 3685 1.Publication Title: The California Fire Service 2.Publication No: 08-3920 3.Filing date: September 28, 2011 4.Issue Frequency: Bi-monthly 5.No. of Issues Published Annually: Six 6.Annual Subscription: $75.00 7.Mailing address of Known Office of Publication, Street, City, County, State and Zip: CSFA, 2701 K St., Suite 201, Sacramento, Sacramento, CA 95816-5113. Contact person: Gary Giacomo. Telephone: 916-410-1394. 8.Complete mailing address of Headquarters or General Business Office of Publisher (not printer): 3205 Central Ave., Roseville, CA 95747 9.Full names and complete mailing addresses of Publisher, Editor and Managing Editor: Publisher: Kevin Nida, 2701 K Street, Suite 201, Sacramento, CA 95816. Editor: Gary Giacomo, 2701 K Street, Suite 201 Sacramento, CA 95816-5113. Managing Editor: Gary Giacomo, 2701 K Street, Suite 201, Sacramento, CA 95816-5113. 10.Owner: California State Firefighters’ Association, 2701 K Street, Suite 201, Sacramento, CA 95816-5113 11.Known Bondholders, Mortgagees and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 percent or more of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None 12.Tax status has not changed during preceding 12 months. 13.Publication Title: The California Fire Service 14.Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: July/August 2011 15.Circulation: (a) Total number of copies (net press run) – Average number of copies each issue during preceding 12 months: 24,333. No of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 22,624. b. Paid circulation (1) Mailed Outside – County Paid Subscriptions Stated on PS Form 3541 (includes paid distribution above nominal rate, advertisers’s proof copies and exchange copies). Average during preceding 12 months: 23,616. No of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 21,983. c. Total paid distribution: Average during preceding 12 months: 23,616. No of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 21,983. d. Free or nominal rate distribution (By mail and outside the mail) (4) : Average during preceding 12 months: 16 No of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 16 e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: Average during preceding 12 months: 16 No of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 16 f. Total Distribution: Average during preceding 12 months: 23,632. No of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 21,999. g. Copies not distributed: Average during preceding 12 months: 701. No of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 625. h. Total: Average during preceding 12 months: 24,333. No of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 22,624 i. Percent paid: Average during preceding 12 months: 99.93. No of copies of single issue published nearest to filing date: 99.92. 16. Publication of Statement of Ownership will be printed in the November/December 2011 issue of this publication. 17. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, business Manager, or Owner: (signed) Gary Giacomo, Editor Sept. 28, 2011.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 • THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE •

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

What does CSFA do for its members? Read on, please

By Robby Cordobes, Southern Division Director

ello, I am Robby Cordobes, a Southern Division CSFA Director for the past three years. I am continually asked, “What does CSFA do for its members?” My answer is, “The Benefits.” CSFA, since its inception, has offered many different benefits, and CSFA continues to seek out and add new benefits for its membership. These benefits include: personal member benefits, discounts, free online publications, training, and legislative representation in Sacramento. In fact, added together, all of your CSFA benefits easily surpass your yearly dues. Personal Member Benefits – The best way to see all of CSFA’s benefits and discounts is to visit our website at www.csfa.net. There you will find a list of all the benefits and their descriptions to see what best suits your family. The newest benefit is insurance from National Teachers’ Associates (NTA). NTA offers CSFA members supplemental insurance that covers heart disease, cancer and accident insurance. In a tough economy, this insurance will assist you finan-

cially during your treatment and recovery. As first responders, we live with an increased risk of certain diseases, such as heart related problems and cancer. On October 1, 2011, the annual Firefighter Memorial was held on the lawns of the State Capitol. If you have never been, please do. It’s a nice, well represented, memorial to honor those that have died in the line of duty. This year, it was noted that of the 30 members that were added to the wall, 43 percent were due to heart-related deaths and 43 percent died of various types of cancer. That’s 86 percent that died of one of these high-risk diseases associated with our jobs. CSFA endorses National Teachers’ Associates (NTA) to provide these needed benefits to our members. (If you read the last issue of The California Fire Service, you would have seen an article written about NTA and its different levels of insurance.) CSFA and NTA have partnered together to not only offer a comprehensive product at a good price, but NTA has also worked as a partner with

• THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE CSFA to assist with membership growth. NTA agents are visiting fire stations up and down the State signing up CSFA members; to date they have signed up over 200 CSFA members. Many of these firefighters thought that they had an active CSFA membership and did not realize that their membership had lapsed. CSFA offers other insurance benefits through California State Firefighters’ Employee Welfare Benefits Corporation (CSFEWBC). CSFEWBC has many insurance benefits including (but not limited to): auto, home, long term disability, estate planning, etc. Discounts. CSFA also has a number of partnerships that provide discounts to our members. For example Brandman University offers CSFA members discounted tuition fees; 5.11 Tactical Gear offers product discounts; there are a host of travel-related discounts, and included in your membership are FREE subscriptions to all the major fire and emergency trade journals: FireRescue, Firehouse, Fire Engineering and JEMS. To access these free online magazines you must visit www.csfa.net and create an account. Training. Throughout the year, CSFA and/or its partners put on a number of training courses. Some of the training is grant funded and free to members. Check our Training & Events Calendar at www.csfa.net for upcoming programs. Legislative Representation – CSFA started in Fresno in 1922 to give the firefighters in the state a voice in the State Capitol. In 1929, CSFA was instrumental in creating a pension system for firefighters. Today CSFA’s Legislative Advocate, Afrack Vargas, along with CSFA’s Political

Action Committee (PAC) lobby for laws that help protect the public and firefighters. As you can see, there is no short answer as to what CSFA has to offer its members. Remember, there is more to see on the website, www.csfa.net. Also, if you register online with your e-mail address, CSFA will inform you when new benefits are added. With that said, I would like to take this time to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Holiday Season and know that CSFA is continually working for you and your family.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 • THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE •

FIRE SERVICE DATABANK RETIREMENTS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 Beverly Hills Fire Department Bruce Lessing Cal EMA Tom Drayer California City Fire Department Robert Paris Chico Fire Department Ron Farrara Jon Probst Colton Fire Department Phil Ellison Cliff Marks Mike Musgraves John Shaw Craig White Dennis Wixon Ray Zendejas Culver City Fire Department Kieran Graner Downey Fire Department Jeffrey Turner Escondido Fire Department Michael Diaz Fountain Valley Fire Department

Joseph Cucinotti Joe Vasile

Michael Pesich Robert Turner Andrew Zar

Georgetown Fire Protection District Sharron Holmstrom Graeagle Fire Protection District William Forward Terri Skutt Lake Valley Fire Protection District Jeff Michael Lone Pine Fire Department Robert Mike James Van Cleave

Los Angeles County Fire Department Edward Cervantes Charles Doremus Mark Nare Rock Schumacher Martin Skultety Paul Wayne Tippin Los Banos Fire Department Wayne Pricolo Manhattan Beach Fire Department Daniel O’Neill Jeff Sanders

Los Angeles Fire Department Shawn Agnew Daniel Arnold Michael Bennett Bruce Bickly Gerald Brown John Buck David Grijalva Emmet Hunt Eric Johnson Steven Johnson Thomas Kephart J.K. Kraus Wilbert Lew Gary Mannan

Menlo Park Fire Protection District Timothy Campbell Glenn Grant George Miller Phil Van Orden North County Fire Protection District Michael Diaz Kathy Ford Orange County Fire Authority David Pierce

Rodeo-Hercules Fire Protection District Alan Biagi Gary Boyles Orlando Conti Mark Mikovich Ross Valley Fire Department Joseph Langlois San Mateo County Fire Department Kimberly Bowman Marc Kaufman Santa Cruz County Fire Department Adrian Caceres Mike Coryell John Haak Jill McLaughlin Kay Nealls Christopher Nunes Brian Sherin Ventura County Fire Department Jim Arledge Kevin Nestor Yocha Dehe Fire Department Vickie Mandy-Heath

IN MEMORIAM NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 Beverly Hills Fire Department

Long Beach Fire Department

Earl Kesterson

Ron Freeman Darren Rockett

Catalina Fire Department Terry Beadle

Culver City Fire Department Robert Grandmain

Fresno Fire Department Robert Ghan

Kentfield Fire Department Frank Berthinier

Los Angeles Fire Department David Bayless Paul Berokoff John Cass Charles Dailey Merle Delzell Thomas Ennis William Fisher Richard Kimball Aubrey Monroe Ferris Murdy Jack Nowell

August Oddo Felix Piere Raymond Roberge James Short Glenn Smith

Rincon Valley Fire Department Carl Lawson

Oakland Fire Department

Sacramento Metropolitan Fire Department

Kenneth Erickson

Mark Cooper

Orange County Fire Authority

Santa Ana Fire Department

David Pierce Madeline Russell

Darrel Clouse

Paradise Fire Department

Santa Barbara Fire Department William Weisman

Thomas Price How to get listed here. Has there been a retirement in your department? Email details to tdixon@csfa.net

• THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

LEGAL CORNER

Does radio-frequency radiation cause firefighter cancer? By Richard E. Elder, Jr.

uring World War II bomber pilots were faced with such danger that they were rotated out of combat if they could finish a certain number of missions. Firefighters are exposed to enough carcinogens to wonder whether they can survive their career. Now we are told that there may be another carcinogen common to the fire service. Samuel Milham describes himself as a physician/epidemiologist, specializing in occupational medicine and in the health effects of electromagnetic fields. I have found ten or fifteen of his published articles, and a book "Dirty Electricity" which asserts that most of the socalled diseases of civilization are due to EMF and RFR exposure, not lifestyle. In his November, 2009 article in "Medical Hypotheses" he observes that respiratory cancers are not greatly increased in firefighters, but their cancers overlap the list of cancers increased in workers exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and radiofrequency radiation (RFR). He offers the hypothesis that most cancer in firefighters is due to RFR, not inhaled carcinogens. When I read this hypothesis I was skeptical. I realize that a "hypothesis" is a supposition, not proof. It may be true, but not yet proven. I recall the furor over EMF and power lines, some 20 or 30 years ago. I thought "the government" assured us that there is no real cancer risk to living near high voltage lines. But I also recall that, as "Navy Brats" I, and my brother would play in the "gentle mist of oil and DDT from the mosquito truck" at twilight on Guam. My father claims he "must have swallowed or breathed in five pounds of asbestos" while a Navy machinist. We did not develop cancer-so far. But we dodged the bullets because oil mist, DDT and asbestos are known carcinogens.

They were not known to be carcinogens-then. Could RFR be next? Now, I see that even the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is concerned about cancer risk to children posed by EMF and on May 31, 2011 the IARC classified ra-

diofrequency electromagnetic fields as "possibly carcinogenic to humans." Cell phones and RFR possibly cause cancer in humans. This is striking. The IARC is part of the World Health Organization. Its mission is to Continued on page 27

What Do Clients Want From Their Attorneys?

• Experience • Integrity • Quality • Stability • Accountability With that in mind, CSFA recommends the following Workers' Compensation and Retirement Attorneys, who not only fulfill all the above requirements, but also have more than 100 years of experience among them.

Why not go with the best? San Rafael Concord San Diego & Riverside

Woodland Hills Santa Ana

LINDA J. BROWN (415) 925-9212 RICHARD ELDER (925) 676-7991/ (800) 242-COMP SCOTT O'MARA (800) 247-1222 San Diego (619) 239-9885 Riverside (951) 276-1199 ROBERT J. SHERWIN (818) 703-6000 LAWRENCE WHITING (714) 866-0714

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 • THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE •

CSFA NEWS

CSFA honors state’s heroes with Valor Awards Photos by Pete Liebig and Gary Giacomo

Friday, September 30 California State Firefighters’ Association recognized firefighters, peace officers and civilians from

throughout the state who had exhibited great courage in order to save the life of another at a dinner banquet in Sacramento. On this page are pho-

tographs from that evening. Any CSFA member may nominate a hero for a CSFA Medal of Valor. To nominate someone visit www.csfa.net.

Sponsors of the annual Valor Awards banquet.

Assembly Member Kevin Jeffries (R- Lake Elsinore), a former firefighter, acted as master of Ceremonies. In the background is Valor Award recipient Charles Hakopian of the Long Beach Fire Department.

John Keys is the event’s bagpiper.

Valor Awards recipients.

• THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

Blaze and rookie Dot – CSFA’s mascots patiently await another photo opportunity.

The El Dorado Hills Fire Protection District honor guard prepares to post the colors.

CSFA IN THE NEWS Trinity County joins coordinated CSFA training program By Ronny Coleman and Michael S. Williams

he CSFA Volunteer Committee, Fire Services Training Institute (FSTI) and the Trinity County Fire Chief’s Association signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a coordinated volunteer firefighter training program on Monday, November 7th. Joining the signing was Hayfork Chief David Loeffler, Weaverville Chief Scott Alvord, local Farmers agent Cheryl Schofield, Sonoma County Assistant Chief Robert MacIntyre and FSTI President-Executive Director Michael S. Williams. “One of the most important strategic initiatives of the Volunteer Committee is to provide support to the California volunteer fire service” said former California State Fire Marshal Ronny Coleman in his letter to the chief’s association. The CSFA Volunteer Firefighter Training Syllabus is the foundation of a significant training program authored by Robert MacIntyre with assistance from various fire service professionals, the CSFA Volunteer Committee and FSTI based on the California State Fire Training Volunteer Firefighter 1 program.

FSTI supports the program through formal agreements with Oklahoma State University IFSTA for the 5th Edition Essentials of Firefighting and Deer Valley Press for Firefighter’s Handbook on Wildland Firefighting and Leadership for the Wildland Fire Officer. Farmers Insurance is providing long-term corporate financial support to the program. Farmers Vice President and FSTI Director Jerry Davies recently said that “Farmers is committed to supporting this important community program.” Chief Coleman added in his letter, “The partnership with CSFA, FSTI, IFSTA and Farmers is a step in the right direction for assuring that volunteer firefighters are properly prepared to serve their community.”

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 • THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE •

BENEFIT IN FOCUS

A new year is coming: Consider the return on investment with a college degree By Jamie Wood

ecent reports indicate that the unemployment rate for those who lack a bachelor’s degree is significantly higher than those with degrees. In today’s economic climate, adding student tuition may seem like a luxury one could hardly afford; however, now more than ever it is extremely important to position yourself in the best possible light. In addition, many fire departments issue memorandums of understanding that include provisions for automatic raises upon the completion of a degree. To help firefighters get and remain employed, move up the pay scale and be better prepared for the ever-evolving changes in fire prevention, Brandman University has created the Bachelor of Arts of Applied Studies degree program. This degree has made it easier for firefighters to return to college by allowing them to utilize their community college, State Fire Marshal-approved training and other applicable credits as the emphasis area within the BA of Applied Studies degree program. Those credits, generally presumed to have been earned prior to admission to Brandman, will form the key component of the chosen career path. Nancy Salzman, Brandman University Dean of Extended Education took into consideration the extraordinary amount of dedication and commitment it takes for a working adult to return to college and matched that with the services and flexibility wrapped into the BA of Applied Studies program. “We at Brandman met with fire marshals and fire chiefs to ascertain the needs of firefighters, such as course schedules that account for unexpected deployments, work schedules spanning several days on then several days off and services for students who may be returning to school after several years,” said Salzman. “We crafted a program that could help firefighters advance in their career path. We are matching our students’ commitment with a commitment of our own.” It was decided that learning outcomes of the BA of Applied Studies must have real world experience. The re-

sults include an education that instills excellent communications and the ability to write, speak and listen effectively; ethics and social responsibility that help one examine his or her personal ethical position within an organizational context; multicultural awareness that will enable one to compare and analyze the various cultural perspectives in the business environment; the ability to develop one's critical analysis skills as applied to the classroom and the workplace; and interpersonal dynamics that assess relational strategies of leadership and supervision in actual and virtual situations. This college degree custom program was designed to assist the firefighter to advance in a career path. It will help graduates stand out from the competition for new positions and upward mobility whether the student is employed or seeking a position in the fire service. “In Southern California, many fire departments are requiring a bachelor’s degree to compete for a position as a chief officer,” said Ken Soltis, Associate Dean, Fire Technology at Santa Ana College. “As the complexities of the profession increase, fire departments need leaders who truly understand how the fire service fits into our ever-changing society. An individual, who has prepared him or herself with a well rounded education and a more global perspective, will be noted above others when it comes time for promotion to captain and above.” Getting started at Brandman is easier than one may think. Prospective students are expected to have a minimum of 12 units prior to beginning course work at Brandman University. Advisors will work with each prospective student to determine whether prior units exist due to community college or other college credits, DANTES or CLEP testing, credit available for other training or prior work experience. Don’t delay, start your New Year by investing yourself and get your college degree. To find out more visit www.brandman.edu or call (800) 581-4100.

• THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

CSFA IN THE NEWS

New Ideas and Big Opportunities are feted at FireShowsReno 2011 CSFA director Daryl Cleveland, Committee Chair Ron Coleman and Fire Service author Paul Stein all contributing to ”the Show that Keeps on Giving”

Continued on page 35

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 • THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE •

CSFA BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES AND SERVICES PRESIDENT Kevin Nida Los Angeles Fire Department (818) 749-3900 email: krnida@krnida.com NORTHERN DIVISION Jeff Gilbert Williams FPD (530) 473-2269 email: wfdc300@frontiernet.net NORTHERN DIVISION Vern Losh Sonoma Co DES (707) 540-2929 email: vlosh@csfa.net CENTRAL DIVISION Michael S. Gill Fresno Fire Department (559) 916-4361 email: mgill4405@aol.com CENTRAL DIVISION Jim Scritchfield Bakersfield FD (661) 331-4809 email: jscritch@csfa.net SOUTHERN DIVISION Robby Cordobes Los Angeles FD (310) 977-5041 email: rcordobes@csfa.net SOUTHERN DIVISION Darryl Cleveland (760) 953-4719 email: dcleveland@csfa.net SOUTHERN DIVISION Steve Wilson El Centro Fire Department 760-353-8262 email: swilson@csfa.net SOUTHERN DIVISION Kenneth Wuchner Long Beach Fire Department (562) 424-8288 email: kwuchner@csfa.net STANDING COMMITTEES Bylaws Dennis Frazier (714) 556-3971 e-mail: fraz7@aol.com Committee for Volunteers Ronny Coleman (916) 799-5363 e-mail: ron@fireforceone.com Education & Training Dan Stefano (949) 497-0354 e-mail: Stefano_Daniel@sac.edu Emergency Medical Services Vacant at presstime

Fire/Arson Investigation (co-chairs) Terry Miller (951) 358-2798 e-mail: tmiller@riversideca.gov Michael Neu (213) 485-6527 e-mail: csfa451@sbcglobal.net Fire Districts Pete Liebig (619) 561-6875 e-mail: Pliebig@csfa.net Fire & Life Safety Page Dougherty (949) 439-2738 e-mail: pagedougherty@csfa.net Firefighter Health & Wellness (co-chairs) Robert T. Scott (213) 485-9431 email: robert.scott@lacity.org Robert Dunivin (805) 955-0401 email: fyrnflame@aol.com Resolutions (Co-chairs) Patricia Johnson (559) 642-3863 e-mail: johnfam@sti.net Dale Lintner (760) 242-2933 e-mail: dlintner1@verizon.net Retirement Issues Richard Reed (916) 835-2699 e-mail: firerep1@aol.com Valor Awards Jeff Loveland (951) 826-5321 email: jloveland@riversideca.gov Workers' Compensation George Stillman (559) 683-2562 email: stillman@sierratel.com

CSFA OFFICE STAFF (800) 451-2732 E-Mail: info@csfa.net Gene Gantt Interim Executive Director (genegantt@comcast.net)

Afrack Vargas Vargas & Associates Legislative Advocate (avargas@csfa.net) Colleen Rainey Director of Administration (CRainey@csfa.net) Monty Gearhart Director of Information Technology and Services and Director of Business Development (webmaster@csfa.net) Gary Giacomo Director of Communications and Publications (Ggiacomo@csfa.net) Membership Representatives Toni Dixon Membership Projects (tdixon@csfa.net) Janelle Mollgaard Membership Data (jmollgaard@csfa.net) Administrative Field Representative Dan Coffman (Huntington Beach) (949) 499-2126

CSFA POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE Co-Chairs Jason Fein (Benicia) (707 342-1966 Email: flylwlvl@pacbell.net Jim Kirkpatrick (Santee) (619) 933-8139 Email: jimk2000@aol.com Political Consultant John Wainio (619) 299-8683 johnwainio@aol.com California State Firefighters' Employee Welfare Benefits Corp. GENERAL MANAGER Bob Hamilton (916) 933-3772 bhamilton@csfa.net

• THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

PRESIDENT & CFO Sam Winner (562) 691-9674 samwinner@earthlink.net CSFA ENDORSED BENEFITS AND SERVICES INSURANCE SERVICES Califorina Casualty Auto & Home Insurance (800) 800-9410 Myers-Stevens & Toohey & Co., Inc. (Life, Disability, and Long-Term Care) (800) 827-4695 NTA Cancer and heart insurance Sara McMullin Smcmullin08@gmail.com 805-479-2490 FINANCIAL & RETIREMENT INVESTMENT PLANNERS ORBA Financial (800) 627-6722 HEALTH & DENTAL INSURANCE PLANS Individual and Group Health and Dental Insurance Anderson-Shea Insurance (877) 448-4800 LIVING TRUSTS Goyette & Associates (888) 993-1600 EMPLOYEE-EMPLOYER REPRESENTATION Bob Roberts (FIRE) (951) 696-9281

California Fire Service Training Institute Michael S. Williams President-Executive Director 800-451-2732 www.cafsti.org

For more information about CSFA or any of the services or benefits listed on this page please visit www.csfa.net.

FIRE SERVICE CALENDAR

CLASSIFIEDS

Training/Workshops

HELMET SHEILDS

January 2 – 6, 2012: Rescue Systems 2 – Advanced Rescue Skills, Menlo Park. For more information call (650) 508-9008. January 9 – 13: Management 2A, Heartland Fire Training Facility, El Cajon. For more information call 619-441-1693. February 6-10: Confined Space Rescue Technician, State Fire Training certified, Western Safety Institute, indoor facility in Elverta (near Sacramento). For more information call 916-910-0200. June 4 – 8: Investigation 1A: Fire Origin and Cause Determination, San Carlos. For more information call (650) 508-9008.

Leather helmet fronts made by a retired L.A. City Fireman. Sambrownshields.com 1-859-887-4636.

Recognizing those who serve

Conferences/Meetings February 21 – 23, 2012: Firehouse World, San Diego. For more information visit www.firehouseworld.com. April 16 – 21: Fire Department Instructor’s Conference, Indianapolis, IN. For more information visit www.fdic.com September 4 – 7: Haz Mat Continuing Challenge, Sacramento. For more information visit www.hazmat.org. October 23 – 25: FireShowsReno, Reno Convention Center. For more information visit www.fireshowsreno.com.

Special Events March 12 – 16: California Fire & Police Winter Olympics, Mammoth Lakes. For more information visit firepolicewinterolympics.com. May 18 – 25: Firefighters Alaska Cruise. For more information call (800) 795-1008 or visit seacruises.com/csfa. July 15 – 20: California Firefighters Summer Olympics, Palo Alto. For more information visit firefighterolympics.org.

CSFA RECOMMENDED ATTORNEYS Workers’ Compensation Linda J. Brown (San Rafael) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(415) 925-9212 Richard Elder (Concord) . . . .(925) 676-7991 or (800) 242-COMP Michael Lewis, Alan Marenstein or Robert Sherwin (Woodland Hills) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(818) 703-6000 Scott O’Mara (San Diego/Orange Counties) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .619) 239-9885 or (800) 247-1222 (Riverside County) . . . . . . . . .(909) 276-1199 or (800) 247-1222 Lawrence R. Whiting LAFD retired (Santa Ana) . .(714) 866-0714 Labor Paul Goyette (Sacramento) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(888) 993-1600 Dennis Grady (San Diego) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(619) 528-2530 Stephen Silver (Santa Monica) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(310) 393-1486 Daniel Kodam (Murrieta) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(951) 445-4905 Retirement Linda J. Brown (San Rafael) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(415) 925-9212 Richard Elder (Concord) . . . .(925) 676-7991 or (800) 242-COMP Tom Wicke (Woodland Hills) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(818) 703-6000 Scott O’Mara (San Diego/Orange Counties) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(619) 239-9885 or (800) 247-1222 (Riverside County) . . . . . . . .(909) 276-1199 or (800) 247-1222

The CSFEWBC Volunteer Firefighters Length of Service Award program offers fire departments and districts the opportunity to recognize, and financially reward firefighters for their years of dedicated service. Discover what we can do for your department by calling the Plan Administrator, Amanda Colwell at (800) 366-7887.

REGIONAL MEMBERSHIP REPRESENTATIVES Bob ‘Malibu’ Martin Los Angeles County FD (ret.) Voice: (805) 492-1566 FAX: (805) 241-9944 email: malibu@csfa.net Areas represented: Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties

Robert McNabb Corona FD (ret.) Voice: (951) 440-2849 Pager: (951) 440-2849 email: ROBM909@aol.com Areas represented: Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego Counties

Louie Rodriguez Long Beach FD Voice: (714) 903-7470 Mobile: (714) 580-9338 email: lrodriguez@csfa.net Areas represented: Orange County and eastern Los Angeles County. CSFA Steamer Team Dave Hubert (949) 589-2444

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 • THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE •

Hot Shots

California Hot Shots

Over 150 firefighters battled a 3 alarm fire at a 3 story senior living facility in Carson. The structure was in the framing stage, so it spread rapidly. Winds carried embers to an adjoining mobile home park igniting trees and subsequently several mobile homes/cars. Photos by Jon Androwski bigjonski@netscape.net

Send us your photos Have a shot of a fire, rescue or other emergency response? Let the whole state know what your department is doing. For consideration e-mail high resolution digital photos and details to ggiacomo@csfa.net.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘

Education & Training continued from page 8 on vehicle extrication, recruits were taught the basics of correct, safe hydraulic rescue tool operation. Then they were asked, one at a time, to take an aluminum cola can set vertically on a table, gently grip the sides of the can, turn the can on its side, release the can gently, grip the ends (i.e., top and bottom), crush the can, and then release the crushed can into a bucket placed on the ground. Figure 2 shows the original 2001 experimenta-

Figure 2

tion conducted by the LBFD training cadre. The hook-up, start-up, and lifting of the hydraulic rescue tools are gross motor tasks and are readily learned. However, the gentle

gripping maneuvers involve finer motor tasks simultaneously combined wit gross arm and leg movements to complete the operations. Failure to gently grip the can properly can lead to “pushing” the can off the table. The recruits not performing the task stand aside and carefully observe the recruit performing the operation. While they are observing significant cognitive processing is taking place, because they will be “talking to themselves” as they anticipate each step. This self-talk contributes to learning the motor tasks and operation, even though the observer is not actually manipulating the rescue tool. The observers may be able to enhance their learning by positively participating in the debriefing critique led by the training officer. Several repeat mini-training exercises such as the preceding should result in each recruit being well into the associative/practice stage/phase. In other words, the recruit is “becoming one with the hydraulic rescue tool.” This more systematic teaching-learning approach makes it easier for the learner to develop the full array of competencies necessary for performing vehicle extrication operations using the hydraulics rescue spreader/cutter tool.

Figure 3

How would we use the Kiesewetter-Resurreccion modified version of the Fitts and Posner model to help Jonathan efficiently and effectively develop his competencies? First, begin with the cola can exercise and continue the exercise over a period of time (e.g., a couple of days) interspersed with the refining of other skill areas (e.g., hose evolutions unique to your agency). As his skill develops, along with this confidence, you can now move Jonathan along to practice an ac-

• THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

tual motor vehicles. Continue this process until Jonathan demonstrates repeatable competencies where he can correctly and safely perform reasonably predictable tasks and operation under the supervision of a fire officer or team leader at the level transition from the associative/practice phase to the autonomic/automatic phase (Figure 1). Every firefighter is an important investment, and some need especially focused, systematic teaching to succeed in achieving job-related competencies. The modified Fitts and Posner model of motor learning has proven to be an especially valuable foundation for teaching job-related fire service motor skills, especially when firefighter recruits have struggled to learn skills such as using the rotary saw, ventilating a roof, sounding a roof, and raising a ladder. This learning theory model has also been a systematic, proven approach for teaching probationary firefighters having difficulty achieving motor skill competencies, as in the case of Jonathan Robertson. You increase the probability of Jonathan's success if you correctly craft his learning process. References Kiesewetter, T.J. (2003). The redesign of the Long Beach Fire Department’s recruit firefighter training academy (Unpublished master’s thesis). California State University, Long Beach. This thesis is available on the Long Beach Fire Department’s Training Divisions web page. Young, D.E., LaCourse, M.G., & Husak, W.S. (2000). A practical guide to motor learning (2nd ed.). Peosta, IA: Bowers.

Legal Corner - continued from page 17 coordinate and conduct research on the causes of human cancer, the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, and to develop scientific strategies for cancer control. The IARC is also the agency which defines carcinogens for the California cancer presumption. But IARC is science and politics and lots of other forces intertwined. Medical protocol demands a doubling of risk before medicine will say a substance probably causes a cancer. If the known exposure is "only" 90% more likely to cause a cancer, doctors say "it is not proven". Most of us do not share this hyper technical risk analysis. This medical conservatism is one of many reasons why we needed to enact presumptions to protect safety officers. The National League of Cities (NLC) issued a report in 2009 in response to the enactment of cancer presumptions for firefighters in several more states. (California enacted our cancer presumption in 1982 and I was in Sacramento then to help advocate the new law). The NLC report asserts there is not

enough science to prove that firefighters suffer "higher cancer rates than the general population." Their so called "study" misses the point that if firefighters get cancer and prove timely exposure to carcinogens, the burden of proving no cause should be undertaken by those protected by firefighters. But the NLC advocates for a small group over a limited benefit. It does not cost the public much to afford protection to the firefighters and their families affected by cancer. Cell phone use is huge business. There are over five billion cell phones in use. You can imagine the pressure placed upon the IARC when investigating the possibility that cell phones cause cancer. If the IARC actually found that cell phone use causes cancer, especially brain cancer (a form of cancer much higher in firefighters), that would cost the cell phone industry untold billions of dollars. There are hundreds of times more cell phone users than firefighters. So when IARC states in May, 2011 that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are "possibly" carcinogenic to humans, I wonder if the Continued on page 30

Tom Kiesewetter retired as a Battalion Chief with the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) after a 30-year fire service career. He held both Bachelor (1976) and Master (2003) of Arts Degrees from Cal State University, Long Beach, and was the LBFD Director of Training for 3-years. He held positions on the Board of Directors for both Cal Chiefs Southern Section Training Officers and the National Fire Academy’s Training Resource and Data Exchange (TRADE). Dr. Richard L. Resurreccion is a Professor Emeritus at California State University, Long Beach and an Adjunct Faculty member in the Leadership Studies Program at Chapman University. Since 1999 he has been a Human Resource Development Specialist in the Training Division of the Long Beach Fire Department, and is Chair of the Board of Directors for the International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute. Dr. Resurreccion also serves on CSFA’s Education & Training Committee. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 • THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE •

Mike’s Musings

By Michael S. Williams

Leading people through disasters Planning is less painful than procrastination, prevention generally requires less time and resource outlay than intervention, and action is more effective and less costly than reaction. - Susan R. Meisinger, SPHR, President and CEO, Society for Human Resource Management

commonly think of emergencies and disasters as fires, floods, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes and tsunamis. However, are these the serious disasters we need to limit ourselves to in our emergency planning? The recent shooting at a Seal Beach hair salon killed 8 and wounded another in the deadliest shooting in Orange County history. The alleged killer was apparently upset over a custody dispute. A Seal Beach Police Sergeant was quoted as saying, “A crime of this magnitude is not something Seal Beach is familiar with. It could be one of the greatest tragedies.” Perhaps, but it is something that we as a nation are becoming much more familiar with. On the evening of January 30th, 2006, former postal employee Jennifer San Marco committed suicide after she killed a former neighbor and six former postal co-workers at the Goleta processing facility. The Santa Barbara community was devastated by what was one of the largest single workplace violence events in the country. Workplace violence, or murder at the workplace, is not as uncommon as one may think. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration reports that in 2010, homicide was the fourth leading cause of fatal occupational injuries in the United States. Of the 4,547 workplace injuries in 2010, 506 were workplace homicides. More striking is that the leading cause of death for women in the workplace is homicide. Murder in the workplace would be an obvious disaster for any agency or company, but what about public and corporate malfeasance? Today’s news is full of reports of malfeasance, negligence, theft and embezzlement, stock manipulations, improper sexual activities and conflicts of interest. Goldman Sachs, Citibank, Lehman and Countrywide are the current corporate names that come to mind. How quick we forget ZZZ Best Carpet Cleaning, Enron, Exxon, BP, Rouch, Halliburton, Well Point, Union Carbide, IBM and EarthLink to name a few. The cities of Bell and Vernon come quickly to mind too. You do not need to be a Fortune 500 company large city to have a corporate disaster. There are many local examples of malfeasance and criminal corporate activity. Attorneys bilking their clients trust accounts, real estate frauds, embezzlements and investment scams are not uncommon. What would happen within your fire department if you experienced a malfeasance issue or large embezzlement involving an officer or employee? Do you have a plan? Do you have anyone watching what your department says, thinks and does? The front page of the newspaper or some blog is not the best place to find out what is going on within your organization. Workplace violence and corporate malfeasance come together as companies and government downsize or merge and suffer subsequent layoffs. Where has all the money gone is a great question that I will leave to others. Perhaps it was not there in the first place. Regardless, the downsizing of any organization can quickly be-

come a disaster. Sabotage, workplace violence, loss of business, loss of reputation, credit and related financial woes, investor investigations and litigation, disgruntled employees and cash flow all become significant challenges. . Do you work for a fire department that is downsizing, merging or shutting down? The chances are good you do. Do you know the financial condition of your department? If you are part of a paid fire department have you experienced layoffs of downsizing through attrition? On the flip side of the issue, as a administrator or manager, are you communicating with your employees, vendors, creditors and the public? Are you being honest about what the financial condition of your organization is and what the plan is for continued operation? Corporate disasters are not unlike fires, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters. You must have a clear and uniformed message and communicate it well. You must have a decisive plan that can adapt to changing conditions. Author Kathryn McKee in her book Leading People Through Disasters, An Action Guide points out that “It is essential that the planning be grounded in reality rather than theory.” The lack of a plan compounds an already bad situation. In any emergency, who is in charge becomes an immediate issue. The wrong person can be the final blow to a department already in trouble. Retired Santa Barbara City Fire Department Captain Jack Armstrong is quoted by McKee as saying “Manage your emotional side as you take control of the situation. If you act like you are in control, then you become in control.” The Internet has destroyed the ability for governments and businesses to deny and obfuscate information. It is just too easy to learn what is going on today through a multitude of public and private media sources. Government and large corporations are too bureaucratic and slow to compete in the 24/7 speed of light information networks of today. It is much like the difference between an aircraft carrier and a canoe. Laying people off is inevitable in today’s world. It is happening if it has not already happened to you. What is your plan if you lose your job? Will you lose your medical insurance? What about your retirement plan? Are you employable somewhere else? Can you be trained in a new field? The questions go on and on. We all live in interesting and challenging times. Are you ready? Michael S. Williams is the President-Executive Director of the Fire Services Training Institute. He is co-host of the radio program Community Alert on KZSB-AM 1290 and a weekly contributor to the Santa Barbara News-Press on local public safety issues. He is a firefighter with the San Marcos Pass Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the California State Board of Fire Services. He may be reached at mswssi@verizon.net.

• THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011

Review by Gary Giacomo

Book Review

Code Blood: A bloody good read from Kurt Kamm

cientific researchers, would-be vampires and a Los Angeles County fire paramedic fill the latest character-driven yarn from Malibu resident Kurt Kamm. Kamm has clearly earned his story-telling chops when it comes to weaving compelling page-turners surrounding first responders through his two previous fire-service related novels, One Foot in the Black, and Red Flag Warning. Kamm’s forte as a novelist easily shines through with his character development skills and his latest thriller, Code Blood, builds on his solid reputation. This time around it is Colt Lewis a rookie Los Angeles County Fire Paramedic originally from Wyoming, who provides the first responder hook. As a newbie Lewis takes the injuries of his victims personally and he becomes obsessed with finding the missing foot of an accident victim, which lights the fuse for the rest of this rollercoaster ride story. Along the way we are introduced to a Chinese research student with the world’s rarest blood type and her stalker. The story takes us through the unfamiliar world of body parts dealers and stem cell research, and of course along the way we learn the detailed background of the characters, especially Lewis and

Markus, a phychopathic blood fetishist goth. As he has in his previous works, Kamm is able to translate the culture of the fire service into his reads, and as such he does a service to nonfirefighters readers who may find the fire culture somewhat mysterious. Overall Code Blood is a quick-paced thriller and an exciting read that would make for a fine holiday gift or a great addition to any station’s reading library. The book is available in bookstores or through Amazon for about $12 or in Kindle format for about $10.

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 • THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE •

Legal Corner - continued from page 27 "possible" rather than "probable cause" classification is due to their natural conservative approach and the huge economic impact that a "probable cause" finding would have. Firefighters are, of course, exposed to RFR and EMF every shift, and probably every hour of every shift. Radios, transceivers, walkie-talkies, earphones, transmission towers in stations or radio transmission from rigs, and the list goes on. One can caution firefighters to use SCBA on all fires and during overhaul, and to "glove up" and to use Haz-Mat protection on any major exposure. But how can firefighters stop being exposed to radios? I have wondered since the 1982 Bierman and Lewis study of Los Angeles City firefighters showed a 208 percent swing in brain cancer in LA City firefighters, what exposure caused the cancer. (The study showed that younger firefighters had 79 percent less brain cancer than "normal" — the so-called 'well worker effect'-firefighters are healthier when they start the career than "normal". Older firefighters had 129 percent more brain cancer than normal). Other studies show significant increase in brain cancer in long-term firefighters. There are studies which seem to indicate more brain cancer in the big time cell phone users. But the evidence on cell phone use seems conflicting. Yet, RFR might be the cause. The California "cancer presumption" does not list specific cancers that are "presumed" to be related to fire service. Instead, the statute requires us to prove that you were exposed "to a known carcinogen as defined by the IARC or as defined by the director." IARC identifies about 32 carcinogens "measured at fires" and about 16 cancers which IARC lists as related to these carcinogens. However, there are another 40 or 60 substances which I think firefighters are exposed to, which IARC lists as carcinogens but does not identify as "measured at fires". For example, the IARC lists soot and coal tar as carcinogenic but does not chart them in its monograph on Firefighter Cancer. Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) appear in some IARC charts but not others. IARC does not list benzene exposure from exhaust fumes, because they focus on the "fire" in "firefighter". But we know that modern firefighters do much more than fight fires and you are exposed to benzene even if not on a fire. The carcinogens which IARC identifies in fires include asbestos, benzene, carbon black, formaldehyde, and PCBs. Firefighters are probably exposed to some of these carcinogens on every fire, but that is not the most common known exposure. Nor is RFR as the IARC now states this is merely a "possible" carcinogen. Your most probable carcinogen exposure, on every shift, is to benzene, which is found in all exhaust fumes, fuel fumes and in fires. Not all shifts involve fighting a fire but every shift will have some exposure to fumes, and thus benzene. The IARC lists skin, lung, liver, angiosarcoma, mesothelioma, larynx, GI tract, leukemia, bladder, lymph system, nasal, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, sarcoma, cervix, esophagus, biliary tract, and renal cell cancers as known or suspected to be related to the carcinogens it identifies in fires. However, it does Correction: A photo on page 20 of the September/October edition incorrectly identified Mike Stoker as Kevin Tighe. We apologize for the error. Smoldering Thoughts By Gary Giacomo will return in the next issue.

not state all of these cancers are related to fire service. There is a difference between sufficient proof of the relationship and the possible connection. This is another reason why we needed the presumptions. Claimants want their workers' compensation or disability retirement to be "no hassle". Everyone wants "what I am entitled to" or "justice". But the devil is in the details, and neither the claims adjustor, nor the defense lawyer nor the retirement system will think the same about your claim as you think. You must live, or die with the claim. To them it is money. Clerics and prophets have long sought the peace of perfect justice. Legal scholars claim that "experience, not justice is the force behind our laws". Politicians sometimes claim to seek justice but "justice", has not been discovered by our legislature. "Politics" not "justice" is the watchword of our politicians. If you have a serious workers' compensation or disability retirement claim, it is likely that you will find the "system" difficult and confusing. Presumption claims are almost always serious and can be life altering. Serious claims can cost someone a lot of money, and cost motivates defendants to question and fight. If a firefighter develops a type of cancer which is greatly increased among firefighters, that does not prove the cancer is related to a specific employment. If, for example, the firefighter worked for 20 years out of state and five years in California, one might feel it is related to fire service, but which service? Or, there might be non-industrial exposure. We almost never really know for certain where the cancer came from. This is another reason for the presumptions. The "cancer presumption" applies to all cancers. We must prove exposure, and enough time for the cancer to be caused by the job, and then the burden shifts to the employer. Often, an employer will try to avoid responsibility by dispute over "latency period", and usually their lawyers will dispute exposure, and dismiss the real impact of exhaust fumes. But any firefighter cancer case is worth investigation, and most can be won given proper representation at an early date. We now know that it is not just city, district or county firefighters who are exposed, but peace officers, and UC and CSU firefighters and OES and DOD firefighters and lifeguards with skin cancer are exposed and all need legal protection. We have expanded the cancer presumptions to add these members of safety service over the years. If you develop cancer, even many years after retirement, or if you have any serious workers' compensation claim, you are well advised to consult early with CSFA-recommended counsel. We want to help, offer free consultation, and if we do represent you in your workers' comp claim there is no fee unless we win. Richard E. Elder, Jr. is recommended by CSFA for workers’ compensation matters. He may be reached at (925) 676-7991 or (800) 242-COMP. FD in Focus - continued from page 7 men and their sacrifice and dedication. The Alturas Fire Department is a great example of people willing to help each other and show up when their neighbor needs assistance. The AFD faces difficult times in the future, but there is no doubt that when the call goes out for assistance someone from the AFD will show up now and for the next 100 years. Stephen Jacques has been a volunteer firefighter for City of Alturas for17 years, and the city Fire Marshal for five years.

• THE CALIFORNIA FIRE SERVICE MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011