VOL. 45, NO. 1 Janury/February 2007

The

Los Angeles FirefighterOfficial Publication of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City—Local 112, IAFF, AFL-CIO-CLC

www.uflac.org

The Los Angeles Firefighter1571 Beverly Boulevard

Los Angeles, California 90026(#ISSN01907573)

January/February 2007

PERIODICALPostage Paid

atLos Angeles, CA

In This Issue . . .Article Page(s)UFLAC Election Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Officer Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3“One of Our Own” – Captain Brett Merrell. . . . . . . . . . . . 4Governor Signs Important Firefighter Legislation . . . . . . . 5Governor Vetoes Bipartisan EMT Fairness Bill . . . . . . . . . 5Abandoned Buildings – Menace to First Responders . . . . 65 USFS Firefighters Fall in the Line of Duty. . . . . . . . . . . 8Firefighter Cancer Support Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Your Health – Importance of Family History. . . . . . . . . . 10Blue Cross Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10LA Heat – Fire and Police Football . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11In Honor and Loving Tribute to Nicholas Steinbacher . . 12

Mayor Appoints Doug Barry as Interim Fire Chiefby Brian Humphrey

LAFD PSOThe men and women of the

Los Angeles Fire Departmentwarmly welcome Douglas L.Barry as Acting Fire Chief.Chief Barry will assume Com-mand of the LAFD when FireChief William Bamattre retireson January 1, 2007.

Chief Barry is a 31-year vet-eran of the LAFD, with anexemplary record as a Fire-fighter, Engineer, Captain, Bat-talion Chief, Chief of Staff, andAssistant Chief.

He joined the LAFD as aFirefighter on February 16,1975, and was quickly promot-ed to Apparatus Operator in

1979 and Engineer in 1980.Chief Barry then earned pro-motions to Captain I in 1986and Captain II in 1989.

In 1993, Chief Barryassumed command of LAFD’sBattalion 13, covering five FireStations in South Los Angeles.As head of Battalion 13, ChiefBarry maintained strong rela-tionships with communityblock clubs and churches, aswell as with the Los AngelesPolice Department (LAPD)and the Los Angeles CountyFire Department.

In 1995, Chief Barry tookcommand of the LAFD’s Oper-ations Office, where he over-saw Management of Depart-

ment Discipline, Worker’sCompensation, Wellness andRisk Management Programs.Chief Barry also served as liai-son to the City Attorney’sOffice and the LAPD.

Fire Chief William Bamattreappointed Chief Barry to serveas his Chief of Staff in 1996,where he served as the princi-pal liaison to the City Counciland Mayor’s Office. ChiefBarry also provided leadershipand oversight to the FireChief’s Planning Section,Employee Relations Office,and Community RelationsOffice.

In 1997, Chief Barryassumed command of LAFD’sBattalion 11, covering six FireStations in the Wilshire Corri-dor.

In 2000, Chief Barry tookcommand of Battalion 6, in theHarbor area, overseeing opera-

tions at nine Fire Stationsresponsible for fire protectionat the Port of Los Angeles,three major refineries and ahost of heavy commercialoccupancies. Chief Barry alsoserves as principal liaison tothe United States Coast Guard,Port Authorities, the Chambersof Commerce, the shippingindustry, the Los AngelesCounty Fire Department, andthe Long Beach Fire Depart-ment.

In 2004, Chief Barry wasappointed to Assistant Chief ofLAFD Division 2, covering allof South Los Angeles, includ-ing the Los Angeles Interna-

Fire Chief Doug Barry

Past UFLAC President Don Wallace gives the Oath of Office to newly elected members of the2006-2008 UFLAC Executive Board. Left to right: Frank Lima, Rey Delgado, Joe Flores, JonMcDuffie, Ted Nonini, Steve Norris, Jim Featherstone, Steve Tufts, and Wallace. Inset: DannyCypert and Dave Pimentle not shown in group photo. See page 2 for election results.

Photos by Jim Perry

Looking to the Future

by Steve TuftsPresident

Healthy debate is a necessarybyproduct of a democratic sys-tem. The election, however, isnow over and it is time to getback to the business of repre-senting our union. On behalf ofall the Executive Board Mem-bers you have chosen to repre-sent you during this term, I

extend my sincerest thanks.You have entrusted the newlyelected Board and we will takeevery opportunity to live up toyour expectations.

Outgoing BoardNo one can argue that Pat and

Mike McOsker served UFLACpassionately over many years.Their willingness to sacrificeyears of their life that couldhave been used pursuing otherendeavors is admirable. Theirhard work and dedication to theimprovement of the wages andworking conditions of LosAngeles’ firefighters and para-medics is appreciated and wor-thy of all our thanks. Pat andMike’s institutional knowledgeas well as their service to themembership and community

will be missed.

First Things FirstYou don’t need to be a fortune

teller to see that the upcomingyear will be one full of chal-lenges and opportunities. Theretirement of the Fire Chiefalong with the newness of theUFLAC Executive Board, theMayor, and the Fire Commis-sion, offers us a chance to makedistinct, positive, and long last-ing changes to our working envi-ronment. The Board is dedicatedto working alongside all of theseentities to represent your needs.

UFLAC will play a key rolein developing the process bywhich the next Fire Chief isselected and who ultimately isthe successful candidate. Weare optimistic that the Mayor

will work with labor to ensurethat our next Fire Chief bal-ances the challenges of restor-ing our public image with lead-ing the organization and stay-ing focused on our primarymission. It will take a strongleader to take the helm of thefire department and we will beout front making sure that justsuch a leader is found.

In the months and yearsahead, UFLAC will be workingclose to home to ensure thatyour interests are protected andenhanced. As of the writing ofthis article, I am working tomarry the Board members withcommittee assignments inwhich they will be effective.Whether it be contract negotia-tions, member representation,political activism, or member

benefits, your new Board willbe focusing on the issues thatmatter to you most. Supportand participation from themembership will be crucial aswe go forward in shaping thefuture of our department.

Moving ForwardLos Angeles’ firefighters are

some of the most talented, hardworking, dedicated profession-als in all of public safety. Neverlet the words of those outsideour organization cause you toquestion the pride that we havein the job we do. Rememberthat it is the actions of eachindividual that reflect on us as awhole. Actions speak louderthan words and now, more thanever, our actions must shoutour dedication to excellence.

Continued on page 3

Page 2 Los Angeles Firefighter Janury/February 2007

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Note: Photos and cartoons may not be reprinted without the expressed writtenpermission of the photographer or artist.

The Los Angeles Firefighter(ISSN #0190-7573)

Local 112, IAFF, AFL-CIO-CLCOfficial Publication of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City is

Published Bi-MonthlyPeriodical Postage paid at Los Angeles, CA

Known Office of Publication isUnited Firefighters of Los Angeles City,

1571 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles,California 90026-5798

POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to The Los Angeles Firefighter1571 Beverly Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90026-5798

Union Office Phone NumbersAdministration:

(213) 895-4006 - (213) 485-2091 - Toll Free (800) 252-8352Benefits:

(213) 895-4990Code-a-phone:(213) 485-2090

FAX: (213) 250-5678EAP Office: (213) 895-0910 or (800) 252-8352

EAP FAX: (213) 481-1038EAP 24 Hr. Help Line

Answering Service: (213) 250-1212

AffiliationsInternational Assn. of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO-CLC

California Professional Fire FightersL.A. County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

California Labor Federation, AFL-CIOAmerican Federation of Labor

International Labor Communications Association, AFL-CIO-CLC

Los Angeles Firefighter Newspaper StaffJim Perry-Editorjperry@uflac.org

Member of the Communications Workers of AmericaCWA Local 9400, Southern California Newspaper Guild, AFL-CIO-CLC

Jerry Smith - Staff Writer

Contributing Photographers

California Fire Photographers Association (CFPA)

Ross Benson, CFPAIsaac Burks, LAFD Gene Blevins, CFPA

Juan Guerra, Valley News ServiceBrian Haimer, CFPA

Bill Hartenstein, CFPAChris Jensen, CFPA

Gavin Kaufman, LAFDBrian Litt, CFPA

Rick McClure, LAFDMike Meadows, CFPA

Jeff Miller, CFPA Martin Nate Rawner, CFPA

Boris Yaro

This union newspaper is printed by a union printer on union-made recycled paper.

If You See An Error…The Los Angeles Firefighter

strives to maintain accuracyand fairness in all stories,graphics, photographs andother copy that appears in ourunion newspaper. It is our prac-tice to correct errors in theissue immediately followingtheir discovery.

If you have a correction orclarification request, please callthe UFLAC office at 800-252-8352 or email the editor:jperry@uflac.org

Paramedic CommitteeMembers

David PimentleCommittee Chair. . FS-68-BBill Ramsey . . . . FS-74-ADave Barnes . . . . FS-86-CMike Brown . . . . FS-84-ACedrick Cleveland. FS-38-BRey Delgado . . . . FS-42-BJim Gibson. . . . . . FS-6-AAaron Mungary. FS-47-CDave Raya . . . . . FS-44-BPaul Semerjian FS-105-CStacy Taylor . . . . . FS-5-CLou Torres . . . . . FS-20-C

GeneralMembership

Meetings9:00 a.m.

January 31“B” Platoon on duty

February 28“B” Platoon on duty

UFLAC-Union Offices1571 Beverly Blvd.

Los Angeles

Refreshments and Free Parking Available

Union Stewards NeededWe are in the process of reorganizing and updating ourUnion Stewards Program. It is our goal to have a UnionSteward at every work location. Current and prospectiveStewards are requested to contact UFLAC SecretaryDanny Cypert at EMS 4-B or call the union office at (800)252-8352.

2006-2008 UFLAC Executive BoardPRESIDENT

Steve Tufts, Firefighter III . . . . . . . . . . . . UFLAC Office

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

Jon McDuffie, Captain II . . . . . . . . . . . . . UFLAC Office

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT

Stephen E. Norris, Captain II . . . . . . . Fire Station 63-B

TREASURER

Ted Nonini, Firefighter III . . . . . . . . . . Fire Station 70-C

SECRETARY

Danny G. Cypert, Captain/Paramedic . . . . . . . EMS 4-B

DIRECTORS

Rey Delgado, Firefighter/Paramedic . . Fire Station 42-BJames G. Featherstone, Captain II, . . Tactical TrainingJoe Flores, Firefighter III . . . . . . . . . . . Fire Station 23-BDavid Pimentle,Captain/Paramedic . . Fire Station 68-B. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EMS 18-BFrank V. Lima, Captain II . . . . . . . . . . Fire Station 69-B

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE DIRECTOR

Jerry Brakeman, Retired Firefighter/Attendant. . . . . . . . . . UFLAC Office

EDITOR

Jim Perry, Retired Fire Captain II . . . . . UFLAC Office

Newspaper Mailing ListIf you are receiving this newspaper and have a change of

address or would like to be removed from our mailing list,please call the union office at 1-800-252-8352, Ext. 208 or clipand mail this note to:

UFLAC Local 112Attn: Maria

1571 Beverly Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90026

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✃

UFLAC Election ResultsThe following UFLAC members were elected on Novem-

ber 17, 2006 for the UFLAC Executive Board andNegotiating Team:

President Steve TuftsFirst Vice President Jon McDuffieSecond Vice President Steve NorrisSecretary Danny CypertTreasurer Ted Nonini

Directors Jim FeatherstoneFrank LimaRey DelgadoDave PimentleJoe Flores

Negotiating TeamJim Featherstone

Steve TuftsSteve NorrisTed Nonini

Dave PimentleJoe Flores

Andrew E. FieldsCheyane Caldwell

Andrea Everett

TrusteesSteve TuftsTed Nonini

Dave PimentleJoe Flores

Robert Wedlock

Union’s Responseto the...

Resignation ofFire ChiefBamattre

December 1, 2006Steve Tufts, President of the

United Firefighters of LosAngeles City (UFLAC), Local112, made the following state-ment regarding the resignationof Los Angeles Fire ChiefWilliam Bamattre:

“Bill Bamattre served the LosAngeles Fire Department withdistinction for over 25 years.But, there was an obvious needfor new and stronger leadershipin the fire department’s man-agement. This was the firstchange, of what we expect willbe several, to the way the LAFDis led and managed.

UFLAC looks forward toworking with Mayor Vil-laraigosa, the City Council andthe Fire Commission in devel-oping the process by which thenext Fire Chief is selected. Weare confident in the Mayor’sleadership and his desire tomake our department wholeagain.”

UFLAC Election Committee, left to right, George James, TomKennington (seated, Chairman), Dave Miranda, Eldon Karrati(not pictured, Troy Westbrook). Photo by Jim Perry

LAFD Seniority BookA new feature has been added to the UFLAC website. Go

to www.uflac.org and link to our online SENORITYBOOK. Clicking the link will access an up-to-date PDF filelisting all LAFD firefighters and their seniority dates inthree sections.

The first section is sorted Alphabetically and the second byDate, the third section is sorted by Rank Seniority and Timein Grade. We will update all of this information periodically.

Janury/February 2007 Los Angeles Firefighter Page 3

tional Airport and the Port ofLos Angeles.

Chief Barry most recentlyserved as Assistant Fire Mar-shal, managing the day-to-dayoperations of the Fire Preven-tion Bureau.

Chief Barry was born andraised in the South Bay, attend-ing Narbonne High School,

L.A. Harbor College, and Cali-fornia State University, LongBeach. He is married and hasthree adult daughters.

Chief Barry has earned therespect and support of not onlyhis fellow Firefighters, but alsohis community, serving asTreasurer/Trustee and Deaconof Mt. Sinai Baptist Church inSan Pedro.

Continued from page 1

Serving the Needs of Those I Value So Much

by Jon McDuffieFirst Vice President

Have you ever thought, “DidI really choose this life or did itchoose me?” Sitting in theunion office on my first day asyour new 1st Vice President, Icould not help but ponder thatquestion and think of the pro-fessional road I have traveled tothis point. Long before Istepped foot through theUFLAC door, strong leadersand amazing peers modeled theway for me. It is humbling tothink that I am now chargedwith upholding tradition, mov-ing the chains of change, andserving the needs of those Ivalue so much – the membersof the LAFD.

In 1992 I transferred from thenon-stop life of Fire Station 9into Fire Station 26. It wasamazing how similar the fire-fighters were on all three shiftsat 26’s. Most of us in the jumpseats were unmarried, hadbetween four and seven yearson the job, and had more ener-gy than ways to expend it. TheCaptain II’s were salty, theCaptain I’s were lively, therated folks had their heads inthe books and there was alwaysa Bull Firefighter like SteveTufts to help you.

Simply put, firefighters andparamedics were just happy tobe at work. We had t-shirtsmade that said, “Anytime, Any-place”, and the Skippers told usto work hard and play harder.That’s just what we did and Ilook upon my time at F.S. 26 asone of the most rewarding ofmy career.

I watched and learned fromstrong firefighters in Battalion3, like Steve Wynne and Sel-wyn Lloyd (both newly pro-moted Captains), who showedme that you gain respect more

by what you do than what yousay; that your work productsays more about you than youcan ever say about yourself;that the attention to detail of aTony Wynne gets the job doneright every time, the first time.

I say all that to say this: Therules and role models weresimple then and they worked.So why not apply the samerules as 1st Vice President ofyour Union?

President Tufts has tasked mewith primarily handling policyissues and the political affairsof our organization. My plan isto approach this new job withthe same collaborative spiritand common sense that Dick“The Mean Captain” Smith, JoeBob Espinoza, and later, JohnKessler ingrained in me when Iworked for them at 26’s:

• One Work, All Work – If itis important to the members, itwill be important to me. I willwork hard to meet your needs.

• No Sniveling – I’ve asked toserve you and I will do it withyour best interests at heart.

• If You Don’t Know, Ask – I,

like President Tufts, plan ontalking extensively to you, themembers, about your real con-cerns. It can be easy to losetrack of what is truly importantif you don’t reach out to themembership.

So it really doesn’t matterwhether I’ve chosen this life or

if it has chosen me. What mat-ters is working to meet theneeds of the membership andproviding the type of serviceand professionalism youexpect. I look forward to thetask over the upcoming years.

“Work Hard, Stay Safe, Be Good!”

Grateful to Past Union Officers andMoving On to the Future

by Frank LimaDirector

I want to thank all membersof the rank and file for electingme as one of your representa-tives in the union. I firmlyintend to maintain your confi-dence by working diligently torepresent your needs.

I also want to thank both Patand Mike McOsker for all oftheir hard work and dedicationthat they have provided to ourunion throughout the years.

Thank you Pat, for alwaysrepresenting our departmentwith class, and good luck atFire Station 38. Thank youMike, your long hours at theunion hall, knowledge of thecity charter, and the heart thatyou’ve given to this union willcertainly be missed.

Lately, the department hasbeen marred with controversyand front page headlines. It is soeasy to read headlines and passjudgments. I urge you to seektruth and construct well informedopinions. While change is

inevitable and necessary in orderto strengthen our department, itisn’t always easy. Don’t let head-lines divide us, rather reflect onwhy you joined the LAFD, andlet those reasons unite us. We livemuch happier and richer liveswhen we focus on what we haverather than what we don’t have.During these times I challengeyou to give of yourselves evenmore generously to the depart-ment, and take an active role infacilitating changes that will pro-mote strengthening the core ofthe department...that’s you, therank and file.

Remember, our jobs areimportant, but family is numberone. Enjoy the new year withyour families and your crew.

UFLAC President Steve Tufts speaks to the newly electedExecutive Board, office staff, families and friends attendingthe Installation of Officer’s Dinner. Photo by Jim Perry

First Meeting of the Newly ElectedUFLAC Executive Board

Clockwise from left: Rey Delgado, Jim Featherstone, Jon McDuffie, Steve Norris, Steve Tufts,Ted Nonini, Frank Lima, Dave Pimentle, Danny Cypert. Not pictured, Joe Flores (in grievancehearing). Photo by Jim Perry

A one-acre brush fire forced the closure of two freeways asthis fire burned above the northbound 5 Freeway and under-neath the 14 Freeway overpass. Both L.A. County and L.A.City sent first-alarm brush assignments to the incident. Thefire was knocked down in about 45 minutes with help on boththe ground and in the air.

Photos and information by Rob Curtis, LAFD

Fire Chief Doug Barry

Page 4 Los Angeles Firefighter Janury/February 2007

“One of Our Own”Peak performance by LAFD Fire Captain Brett Merrell…

The efforts to climb Mt. Everest are told in agroundbreaking Discovery Channel Series

by David WhitingRegister columnist

dwhiting@ocregister.com©2006 Orange County

RegisterReprinted with permissionAt 25,750 feet on Mt. Ever-

est, Brett Merrell is strugglingthrough a near whiteout withblowing snow obliterating dan-gerous drop-offs and 50-mphgusts nearly blowing him offthe mountain.

Worst of all, he is out of gas.A month at high altitude hastaken its toll. Merrell’s 6-foot-2frame has dropped from 190pounds to 162. Although it’shis second attempt to summitEverest in as many years - hedecides the only safe and sanething to do is to turn around.

Merrell, of Laguna Niguel, aLos Angeles firefighter andveteran of the highest moun-tains in North and South Amer-ica, turns his back on the sum-mit, slightly more than 3,000vertical feet above, and headsdown to Advanced Base Campat 21,000 feet.

The weird thing is that mywife and I are sitting in the

comfort of our living roomwatching all this take placethanks to a review copy of theDiscovery Channel’s “Everest:Beyond the Limit,” a six-partseries which debuts next weekand promises to make Merrell acelebrity of sorts.

Later, we watch Merrelldeclare his Everest days areover, that he has reached hispersonal summit, that he haspushed his body as far as hisgenetic makeup will allow andthat for him the climb is a suc-cess.

But is Merrell, who mort-gaged his house and sold hisHarley to climb Everest, reallyover the lure of summiting thehighest mountain in the world?

The battle for the summit andMerrell’s eloquent reconcilia-tion with his own goals is justone of many compelling,thought-provoking momentson what is more than the ulti-mate reality show. “Beyond theLimit” is a stunning tour deforce, easily the best documen-tary on Everest, perhaps thefinest footage on climbing everproduced.

Cinematically and themati-cally, it triumphs over anythingcaptured on film or video aboutthe mountain that has trans-fixed human imagination sinceit was first named the highestpoint on Earth more than a cen-tury ago.

The producers have twothings going for them that noteam on Everest has hadbefore: time and technology.Unencumbered with heavy

Imax equipment, “Beyond theLimit” takes full advantage ofthe digital age. Fifteen produc-tion people on the mountainshot 250 hours of footage withtwo Digibeta cameras, threeSherpa cams and six Z1 cam-eras. Then Discovery had thewisdom to devote six hour-longepisodes to the effort.

There are enough spectacularshots of the beauty and sweepof the mightiest mountainrange on the planet to makeyou want to run out and get abig-screen HD television, butthe real magic of “Beyond theLimit” is in the human stories.

We don’t just hear about howimportant sherpas are to anexpedition. We watch theleader of the expedition, Rus-sell Brice, break down whilereporting the news of oneyoung sherpa’s death evenbefore the climb starts. We seemen setting fixed ropes in the“Death Zone” above 26,000feet. We watch in horror asclimbers wait, backed up inline, in sub-zero temperaturesto climb those ropes.

Along with Merrell’s story,Discovery tells the tale of adouble amputee as well as aself-styled Hollywood bikerstill recovering from injuriessuffered in a crash. And if youhope to learn more aboutevents on Everest last year, the“second deadliest season onrecord,” you won’t be disap-pointed.

One could argue it was a cyn-ical ratings decision - and whenit comes to climbing there are

plenty of things to argue about- but the fact is that managingrisk is a part of climbing. Asuber climber Ed Viesturs writesin his inspirational new book,“No Shortcuts to the Top,”“summiting is optional, gettingdown is mandatory.”

It would be dishonest to havebeen on Everest last year andnot report on the controversialdemise of British climberDavid Sharp, who some believewas left to die while othersclimbed around him so theycould summit.

Merrell believes more couldhave been done to help Sharp.During a lull this week at hisfire station in Los Angeles, hetells me, the north side of Ever-est “is the lawless, semi-cor-rupt Dodge City of mountainclimbing.”

Everest is different thanclimbing anywhere elsebecause so many people arethere for fame and money.

“You get tired of the geo-political buffoonery,” Merrellsays. “It’s really tough being atthat kind of altitude for so longwith that kind of pressure. Upthere, you just endure.”

Still, Merrell, 47, says Ever-est is “awe inspiring.” Hespeaks of climbing in the foot-steps of history, the beauty ofthe mountain, the intrigue ofthe challenge. He speaks ofbeing an example of “living lifeto the fullest” for his 14-year-old daughter, who lives withhis ex-wife in Chicago.

So, will he ever return toEverest?

Merrell confides he has justtalked to his girlfriend and hissister about returning in thespring. On Wednesday he sayshe has decided for a third shotat the summit. He figuresmaybe “Beyond the Limit” willhelp get him noticed; maybe hecould fund the climb with pub-lic speaking.

“Pain has a short memory,”Merrell says. “I still have thatburning desire.”

CONTACT US: David Whit-ing has climbed the highestmountains in South and NorthAmerica. His column on peo-ple and places appears Thurs-days. He can be reached at 714-796-6869 or dwhiting@ocreg-ister.com.

Editor’s Note: Brett Merrell’s goal was to

put a flag on the summit ofMt. Everest in memory andtribute to our brothers wholost their lives on 9/11. Mer-rell has been on the LAFD for19 years. He is a Captain II atFire Station 4, “B” Platoon.He was working at Fire Sta-tion 11 when he climbed Mt.Everest and wanted to thankall the guys there for all theirsupport. He is single, has a15 year-old daughter andlives in Laguna Niguel. Mer-rell will not be going back toEverest in 2007, but might tryagain sometime in the future.If/when Merrell decides toclimb again, we hope he getsmore financial support fromhis LAFD brothers and sis-ters…JP

Top of Fort Tibet Interim Base Camp

Getting theword out…

UFLAC First Vice PresidentJon McDuffie being inter-viewed by Sam Louie,Reporter for Life & Times,KCET Television. In his firstweek in office, speaking onbehalf of President SteveTufts and the UFLAC Execu-tive Board, McDuffie hasbeen seen and heard on tele-vision, radio and in the localnewspapers. The camera/soundman is Webb Weber.

Photos by Jim Perry

Janury/February 2007 Los Angeles Firefighter Page 5

Governor Signs Important Legislation for Firefighters

by Robert J. SherwinLewis, Marenstein, Wicke & Sherwin

On the last day possible toapprove legislation enacted in2006, the Governor signed intolaw Assembly Bill 1368, a lawthat directly affects firefighterswith work related injuries. Thisnew law prohibits “apportion-ment” of permanent disabilityfor any injury that is “presumedindustrial” for safety members.First, a little history and then anexplanation of what this meansto you, as Los Angeles Cityfirefighters.

As most of you know, thereare certain injuries that are pre-sumed industrial for safetymembers. These injuriesinclude heart trouble, pneumo-nia, hernias, cancer, TB,meningitis and other bloodborne pathogen diseases. Thesepresumptions were createdyears ago by the California leg-islature which recognized that

safety members, including fire-fighters had occupations thatare inherently stressful, bothphysically and emotionally.Consequently, the legislaturefelt that these types of injuries,when sustained by safety mem-bers, should be “presumed”industrial and that the employ-er should therefore have theburden to prove the injury wascaused by some non-industrialfactor.

Often, injuries result in per-manent disability for theinjured worker. Workers’ com-pensation laws in Californiahave always recognized a con-cept known as “apportion-ment” which allows theemployer to apportion some ofthe disability to non-industrialfactors. Prior to the workers’compensation reform in 2004,the burden of proving appor-tionment was on the employerand a heavy burden it was. Sel-dom, if ever, could an employ-er prove that any portion of aninjured workers’ disability wasactually the result of “pre-existing factors”.

In 2004, as part of the work-ers’ compensation reform legis-lation, the law on apportion-ment was changed dramatical-ly. It now allowed and evenencouraged physicians toattribute part of the permanentdisability to so called pre-exist-

ing factors such as degenera-tive arthritis, obesity, familyhistory, etc. By loosening therules on apportionment, injuredworkers began seeing their per-manent disability awardsreduced by as much as one-halfas doctors speculated on theo-ries of apportionment.

Many of the presumptionstatutes contain a provision thatprevents an employer fromattributing that injury to anypre-existing disease or factorsuch as genetic predispositionor family history.

If a firefighter sustained apresumptive type injury whichled to any permanent disability,the non-attribution clausewould prevent an employerfrom attributing or apportion-ing any of the permanent dis-ability to a pre-existing non-industrial condition.

With the passage of the newlaw on apportionment, manyemployers, including the Cityof Los Angeles, began assertingthat they could now apportionpermanent disability on pre-sumptive injuries. Litigation onpresumptive injuries, particu-larly heart claims, increasedsignificantly throughout 2004and 2005.

In response to this attack onsafety members and their pre-sumptions, my firm joinedforces with various safety asso-

ciations and lobbyists to craft abill that would prohibit anyapportionment of permanentdisability on a presumptiveinjury. With the assistance ofJim Vogts of ProfessionalPeace Officers Association andAssemblyman Tom Umberg,we drafted and introduced leg-islation which would specifi-cally prohibit such apportion-ment. Throughout 2005, weworked diligently to steer thelegislation through committeesin hopes of making it to theGovernor’s desk. At the lastmoment we were advised thatthe Governor would not signthe bill as he did not want toalter the legislation he hadpassed in 2004. We wereencouraged to table the billuntil 2006 when the Governormight be in a more “willing”position to sign the legislation.

Therefore in 2006, the billwas again introduced and wentthrough the same legislativeprocess. Finally, it passed thelegislature in the final days ofAugust and went to the Gover-nor’s desk. On September 30,the Governor signed the billacknowledging that firefightersdeserve the full benefitsaccorded in workers’ compen-sation when they suffer pre-sumptive type injuries.

Now, when firefighters suffera presumptive injury which

results in any permanent dis-ability, they will not have thatbenefit slashed by a physicianwho speculates that a “familyhistory of heart or cancer” ledto the injury and disability. Wehave already begun the processof educating the many doctorswho report in workers’ com-pensation that any apportion-ment in a presumption case islegally invalid. Hopefully, thiswill result in reduced litigationand prompt receipt of benefitsfor the injured firefighter.

The workers’ compensationreform act of 2004 was a disas-ter for all injured workers inCalifornia. In the past year,many legislators and even thosein the insurance industry haverecognized that the reformswent too far and needed to becorrected. It is reassuring thatthe Governor recognized this aswell, particularly as it affectedfirefighters and the benefitstheir associations fought so hardto achieve. The signing of AB1368 is a major step in thatdirection and hopefully a sign ofthings to come in 2007 in restor-ing benefits to injured workers.

My sincere thanks to allthose who helped in getting ourbill enacted, including Califor-nia Professional Firefightersand United Firefighters of Cityof Los Angeles City. Stay safein 2007 and have a great year.

Schwarzenegger VetoesBipartisan EMT Fairness Bill

In a blow to basic fairness toFirefighter/EMTs and a slap inthe face to local control, Gover-nor Arnold Schwarzeneggerhas vetoed bipartisan legisla-tion giving local fire depart-ments and city governments –and local taxpayers – morecontrol over how emergencymedical technicians (EMTs)are disciplined.

AB 2554, authored byAssemblyman Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) andco-authored by AssemblymanGreg Aghazarian (R-Stock-ton), would have ended the“double jeopardy” provisionsin law that allows EMTs to bepunished multiple times forsometimes technical viola-tions of their certification. Italso required that the publicagencies employing EMTs bedirectly involved in the disci-plinary process. The biparti-san legislation was approvedby votes of 80-0 in theAssembly and 40-0 in thestate Senate.

“Governor Schwarzeneggersided with the bureaucratswho manage local emergencymanagement services over firechiefs and firefighters, not tomention the unanimous votesof the Assembly and Senatefor AB 2554, by vetoing thebill,” said Assemblyman Rid-ley-Thomas. “I’m disappoint-ed. With this veto, the gover-nor sided with bureaucracyover accountability and thestatus quo over fair treatmentof our first responders facingdiscipline.”

Under existing law, localagencies – cities, counties andspecial districts – set standards,provide training and certifyEMTs for their job protectingthe public. But the disciplinaryprocess rests entirely with acounty-based bureaucracy, theLocal Emergency Medical Ser-vices Agency (LEMSA).

Not accountable to anyone,these bureaucrats often subjectEMT-1 personnel to punish-ment that duplicates and over-laps that imposed by theiremployer. AB 2554 alsowould have restored balance tothe disciplinary process byeliminating this unreasonable“double-jeopardy”provision.

“The governor is constantlytalking about how much hethinks of first responders,” saidCPF President Lou Paulson.“But when the time came toshow it, he sided with a bureau-cracy that ignores employersand treats EMTs like criminals.”

The broad consensus sup-porting AB 2554 covered thespectrum of public safety andlocal government organiza-tions. In addition to CPF, sup-porters included the League ofCalifornia Cities, the Califor-nia Fire Chiefs Association,the California Police ChiefsAssociation and CSFA. Itreceived no NO votes through-out the entire legislativeprocess, earning legislativesupport across the entire polit-ical spectrum.

The governor’s veto messagesays AB 2554 would have lim-ited the authority of theLEMSA bureaucracy by forc-ing them to consult with localagencies. But the bill didn’taffect the current power ofthose bureaucracies. It onlyrequired that the needs of thelocal agencies, and the commu-nities they serve, be taken intoaccount.

Incredibly, the governor’sveto message suggested thatthe measure would threatenpublic safety — despite thestrong support of fire and lawenforcement, both labor andmanagement.

“AB 2554 doesn’t compro-mise any standards of conductand it doesn’t let anyone off thehook for inappropriate behav-ior,” said President Paulson. “Itsimply would have requiredthat regulators work with,rather than against local gov-ernment in taking action toprotect the public.

Five Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, eight LAFD Res-cue Ambulances and other LAFD resources responded to anOrange Line Collision at Woodman Ave. and Oxnard St. in VanNuys. Firefighters found an Orange Line Metro Bus which hadcollided with a large delivery type truck. Firefighters and Para-medics immediately began triaging the patients to determinethe severity of their injuries. Seventeen patients were triagedand treated at the scene. Of those treated, thirteen were trans-ported to area hospitals. One patient suffered serious injuriesand twelve others were transported with only minor injuries.The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Photos and information by Mike Meadows, CFPA

Orange Line Collision

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Page 6 Los Angeles Firefighter Janury/February 2007

Are Abandoned Buildings a Menace to First Responders?

by Jerry Smith Captain, LAFD Retired

Government health and safe-ty codes require property own-ers to secure a vacated structureand prevent unlawful entry intosuch location. There is nodoubt that abandoned/vacantbuildings over time threatenpublic safety in many neigh-borhoods across the landscapeof America. Who could forgetthe infamous icehouse infernoin Worcester, MA. severalyears ago, where a tipped overcandle and the resulting infernowould trap and kill six fire-fighters. Yes, these brave fire-fighters not knowing the vic-tims had already left the build-ing were searching for twotransients believed to be insidethis smoke filled abandonedbuilding. The question remainsin 2007 and beyond: are youaware of all suchbuildings/structures in yourfirst-in district and are theyclearly identified as such incase of fire?

In order to clearly identifythe threat and risk to first

responders many fire depart-ments have targeted theseabandoned buildings withmarkings on the outside thatwarn firefighters to useextreme caution like “do notenter” if the building is on fire.Of course, it’s up to each andevery company commander toknow their first-in district tar-get hazards and especiallythose compromised occupan-cies where debilitated struc-tures may exist. Too often, fire-fighters are falsely lured intoempty/burning buildings wherethe risks and hidden hazardsare just too great for safe oper-ations.

We know from years of fireground experience that unoccu-pied buildings in blighted areasare being used for criminalactivity like Meth Labs andlocal Crack Houses. Aban-doned buildings also become“targets of opportunity” forcriminal arsonists. That shouldbe enough to raise fire officerconcerns and awareness in theirdistrict pre-fire planningefforts.To move around/navi-gate in a heavy smoke filledstructure that’s in a state of dis-repair could increase the riskfor building failure and col-lapse of weight bearing compo-nents like floors, walls, androofing materials. Not to men-tion the ever-present risk ofexplosive flashover.

I’m very saddened to reportthat on November 23, 2006after being critically burned at

a vacant house fire, an Atlantafirefighter died of his injuries.Sadly, Firefighter StevenSolomon passed away in GradyMemorial Hospital’s BurnUnit. Solomon, married with 4kids, was seriously injured in aflash over at the abandonedhouse fire in northwest Atlantaon Thanksgiving evening.Arson investigators have deter-mined an unattended candleleft by homeless people stayingin the unoccupied house startedthe fire. Unfortunately, this firebecomes the 94th LODD eventin 2006 to claim the life of abrave firefighter.

Too often, innocent firefight-ers are required to enter burn-ing structures where the dan-gers are greatly increased byunstable atmospheres and rap-idly changing conditionsunforeseen to advancing fire-fighters. Now mix that volatileenvironment with heavy smokeand elevated heat and the “dis-aster clock” may be runningdown for something to causestructural failure, an unexpect-ed flare up or large explosionand the scene inside becomesuntenable for human survival.Like you, when I led my fire-fighting company inside aburning building I wanted tobelieve that we had a goodchance to get out alive and doso without serious injury.

Yes, we continue to work in avery dangerous profession andunderstanding that fact of lifeshould be a driving force to

stay out of burning aban-doned/vacant buildings whereno life hazard exists. Please,take defensive action, protectexposures, contain the fire andlet the fire burn itself out.Where appropriate this mayhelp to rid the area of a menaceto the neighborhood and ablighted landmark in the com-munity.

SOURCE:http://www.boston.com/

news/local/articles/2006/06/29/

x_marks_a_danger_spot/

ABOUT THE WRITER:Jerry Smith, a former LosAngeles City Fire Captain andCalifornia Governor’s Office ofEmergency Services Fire andRescue Division AssistantChief, retired from active serv-ice in 1987. After 45 years, heremains a “tell it like it is”advocate for firefighter rightsand safety.

Jerry is also the WebBoardAdministrator for the Emer-gency Grapevine, an “all-risk”message forum for emergencyresponse and recovery person-nel around the world. A publicsafety web site established inAugust 1997. He is a staffwriter for the award winningLos Angeles Firefighter. Offi-cial publication of United Fire-fighters of Los Angeles City -Local 112, IAFF, AFL-CIO-CLC. Jerry’s regular commen-tary is also reprinted on severalprominent Fire/EMS web sites,

newsletters and print maga-zines.

____________

Response to JerrySmith’s article on

Abandoned Buildings:

Great article, Jerry. Yes, theyare definitely a hazard to fire-fighters. Atlanta is taking everyfirefighter in the city throughthe house where FirefighterSolomon suffered his fatalinjuries. They estimate that itwill take about a month and ahalf to get everyone through it.

They are also marking everyabandoned building with a redsign warning firefighters not toenter unless someone is report-ed trapped, and then enterusing extreme caution. Anindependent panel chaired bythe director of the Georgia FireAcademy will investigateSolomon’s death to determinewhat, if anything, can be doneto prevent another such death.

“Every aspect will bereviewed to allow firefighterSolomon to not have died invain,” Chief Rubin said. “We’regoing to learn the lesson as towhat happened and why ... andprevent, we hope, that fromever happening again.” Maybeit will prevent another brotheror sister from getting stuck inone of these structures.

Steven D. Owen Sr.Firefighter/ParamedicGeorgia

Major EmergencyTwenty-eight Companies of

Los Angeles Firefighters, sevenLAFD Rescue Ambulances,two Arson Units, one UrbanSearch and Rescue Unit andother LAFD Resourcesresponded to a Major Emer-gency Structure Fire at 20800Dearborn St. in Chatsworth.

The first Companies arrivedto find a large single-story com-mercial building with heavy fireshowing. An aggressive interiorattack, coordinated with rapidroof ventilation produced littleprogress in controlling the fire.

Approximately ten minutesinto the fire, fearing for the

safety of personnel on thescene, the Incident Commanderordered the progression from anoffensive operation to a defen-sive mode. Heavy stream hoselines, ladder pipes, and portablemonitors were positioned toprovide maximum water flowwith maximum effect.

Firefighters mounted anaggressive campaign to save theoffice/retail portion of the build-ing. Even though the buildingsuffered enormous damage, thefirefighters were able to protectthe office area, thereby savingthe occupants records and com-puters. There were no reported

injuries and the dollar loss isstill being tabulated. The pre-liminary cause appears to beelectrical, however the investi-gation is in progress.

Photos byGene Blevins, CFPA

Information byRon Myers, LAFD PSO

Janury/February 2007 Los Angeles Firefighter Page 7

The Los Angeles Fire Department “Fallen FirefightersMemorial” Needs Your Support

The Los Angeles FireDepartment Historical Societyis committed to honoring thememory of all firefighters whohave made the ultimate sacri-fice protecting the City of LosAngeles and its citizens.

In the spirit of Sacrifice,Courage, Honor and Service, amemorial commemorating theactions of our heroes wasdesigned by Captain DwayneGolden, member of the LAFD,

and constructed by Honors forExcellence, Ltd.

Each of the five life sizebronze statues is made fromover forty molds and twenty-two separate steps involvingthe ancient “lost wax” castingtechnique. They will be placedin a Memorial Plaza in front ofthe Museum located at “OldFire Station 27” in 2005.

The Memorial Plaza wasdesigned by renowned archi-

tect Michael Rotondi and thelimestone monument wasdesigned and constructed byYoshikawa, both local area res-idents. The project will costover $1 million and will bepaid for by donations andthrough the sale of engravedbrick pavers that will be placedaround the monument.

As of the beginning of 2005we still needed approximately$750,000 to complete the

project. This will be the firstmemorial in the Department’s120 year history that is dedi-cated to over 250 LAFDmembers who gave their livesin service to the citizens ofLos Angeles.

Please support this greatmonument to memorializethose who made the supremesacrifice and those who haveserved or continue to serve bydonating to the LAFD Histori-

cal Society. The Society is a501 (c) 3 non-profit organiza-tion and donations are taxdeductible.

Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society

1355 N. Cahuenga Blvd.,Hollywood, CA 90028

Tel: (323) 464-2727 Fax: (323) 464 7401

Email: lafdhs27@aol.comTax ID # 95-4680410

Coalition of Labor Union Women Educates Memberson Cervical Cancer Prevention

Maybe you’ve seen the TVads where women implore youto “Tell Someone” that cervicalcancer is caused by a commonvirus and that you need to bescreened regularly to preventgetting the disease.

The Coalition of Labor UnionWomen (CLUW), one of the sixAFL-CIO constituency groups,is reaching out to educate unionwomen and the wives anddaughters of union men about

the need for screening.The big news is that women

and girls between the ages ofnine and 26 now can get a vac-cine to prevent the disease, saysCarolyn Jacobson, director ofCLUW’s Cervical Cancer Pre-vention Works program.

The cancer is caused by thehuman papilloma virus (HPV),which can be detected throughregular screenings before itbecomes cancer. Yet, this year,

health experts say, more than10,000 women in the UnitedStates will be diagnosed withcervical cancer and more than3,700 will die from it.

Jacobson says: “There is noreason why union womenshould get cervical cancer.More than 86 percent of unionmembers have health insuranceand most health plans todaycover the Pap test and the Papand HPV test for women over

30, which is recommended bythe American College ofObstetricians and Gynecolo-gists and the American CancerSociety.”

To spread awareness of theways to prevent cervical can-cer, CLUW prepared atwo-page, ready-to-use articleto use in union publications orwebsites. The article featurestwo union women, both cervi-cal cancer survivors, who have

created not-for-profit organiza-tions to get the awareness andprevention message out inunique and creative ways.

To download a copy of theCLUW ready-to-use article,click here:

http://www.cluw.org/cervcancer-article.html

This is a pdf of the article,with the peg being January:http://www.cluw.org/CCPW/magazineColorJanuary.pdf

Firefighter Isaac Burks, FS 56, has been working and travel-ing all over the world with the Dale Coyne Racing Team for 10years. Here he is shown in Surfer’s Paradise, QueenslandAustralia in October 2006. This photo of Burks, far left front,pushing the race car, was taken by LAFD Fire Captain JoeTeijeira, FS 63, who was a guest of the team at Burk’srequest. Teijeira also worked with the Australian Fire Depart-ment as a member of the fire safety team the weekend of therace, the only American among several hundred Aussies.

LAFD Fire 4 hoisting an injuredwoman hiker out of a canyonnear Mulholland Drive andLaurel Pass Road in the hillsabove Studio City. The womanfell, breaking her ankle andsuffering cuts and abrasions.Fire 4 arrived and lowered air-borne paramedics who treatedand stabilized the woman. Shewas then hoisted out andtaken to Northridge Hospital.

Photo and information byMike Meadows, CFPA

Note to UFLAC Ex. Bd.Your union office staff at

UFLAC would like to congrat-ulate you on your election andthank you very much for thebeautiful floral arrangementsthat you had delivered to eachof our desks. We all wish youwell and look forward to work-ing with you and our newlyelected executive board.

Most sincerely,Marilyn Alvarado

Laura BurtonClaudia CrandallDolores Garcia

Maria RiggsSonia SmithNancy Mraz

Page 8 Los Angeles Firefighter Janury/February 2007

Five USFS Firefighters Fall In The Line of DutyFive of the US Forest Ser-

vice’s finest and bravest gavetheir lives in the line of duty,battling to protect a home inthe midst of the blisteringEsperanza Fire near Cabazonin Riverside County.

Captain Mark Loutzenhiser,Engine Operators Jess McLeanand Jason McKay, DanielHoover-Najera and PabloCerda died after their enginewas burned over while theywere battling the wind-whipped Esperanza Fire, whichhad grown to more than 24,000

acres within 24 hours.All five of the firefighters

served on Engine 57, were partof the San Jacinto Ranger Sta-tion in Idyllwild.

A Memorial Service honor-ing the five fallen firefighterswas held Sunday, November 5,2006 at Hyundai Pavilion inSan Bernardino.

Authorities have arrestedRaymond Lee Oyler, 37, ofBeaumont, California, who issuspected of intentionally start-ing two wildfires this past sum-mer and is considered a person

of interest in the blaze thatkilled the five U.S. Forest Ser-vice fire fighters.

The California Fire Founda-tion is accepting donations onbehalf of the fallen firefighters.Donations to the firefightersand their families will be bun-dled by the Foundation and for-warded to funds in the area thatwill insure that the money goesto the families.

As in past efforts, 100% ofall funds donated to the Foun-dation will go to the families.

Please make contributions

payable to the California FireFoundation, with a notation:Esperanza Firefighters Fund.Send to:

California Fire FoundationEsperanza Firefighters Fund

1780 Creekside Oaks, Suite 200

Sacramento, California95833

The Foundation’s FederalTax ID # is 68-0118991

At the direction of IAFF Gen-eral President Harold Schait-berger, the IAFF activated thefull resources of the Interna-

tional union to assist the U.S.Forest Service and the familiesof the fallen during this difficulttime. IAFF members areencouraged to support thesefallen fire fighters, their fami-lies and the men and women ofthe U.S. Forest Service firefighting force. The CaliforniaProfessional Firefighters andCDF fire fighters are alsoassisting in the effort. Morethan 3,000 IAFF members fromthroughout California weredeployed as part of the unifiedcommand to fight this fire.

Profiles of Fallen Firefighters

Brief sketches of the fivefirefighters who were killedbattling the Esperanza wild-fire in Southern California:

Mark LoutzenhiserThe crew’s engine captain

was a 21-year veteran of theU.S. Forest Service and a certi-fied emergency managementtechnician who had studied firescience at Mount San JacintoCollege. He lived in Idyllwildwith his wife and five childrenand was the assistant volleyballcoach at Idyllwild School,where his three youngest chil-dren are students.

“Mark was entwined in everypart of school life here,” saidthe school’s principal, EmilyShaw. Grief counselors had

been called in to talk to stu-dents.

The school’s annual talentshow was canceled afterLoutzenhiser’s death. It was tobe rescheduled and dedicatedto the 44-year-old firefighter’smemory.

Jess McLeanThe crew’s engine operator

was a seven-year veteran of theForest Service who kept asmall porcelain figure of a fire-fighter by the door of his stuc-co home in Banning. McLean,27, liked to camp and ride hismotorcycle to work, said next-door neighbor Marlene Lopez.

He lived with his wife,Karen, and their two dogs andliked to play soccer on the

immaculately trimmed lawn infront of his home, Lopez said.She last saw him Tuesday whenhe dropped by to apologize fortaking so long to complete afence he was building betweentheir houses.

Jason McKayThe crew’s assistant engine

operator had been with the For-est Service for five years andhad also worked as a volunteerfirefighter in Adelanto. A certi-fied emergency medical techni-cian, he had an associatedegree in fire science. McKay,27, lived in Phelan.

Daniel Hoover-NajeraThe 20-year-old firefighter

graduated in 2004 from Moun-

tain View High School in SanJacinto. He was about to com-plete his second wildfire sea-son with the Forest Service.

Gloria Ayala, Hoover-Najera’s mother, told KKTV-TV in Los Angeles that her sonwas “too new, he was toogreen” to be fighting the blaze.

“As the ashes come down Ikeep thinking, that’s part of mybaby, coming down on me,”she said, crying.

A tearful Patrick Najera,Hoover-Najera’s grandfather,appeared on KCAL-TV hold-ing a copy of a newspaper witha headline reading, ‘TheyNever Had a Chance.’ “I’mgoing to be looking at this herefor the rest of my life because Ilost something very, very, very

precious,” he said.

Pablo CerdaThe 23-year-old firefighter,

who was in critical conditionwith burns over 90 percent ofhis body died after severaldays. He lived in Fountain Val-ley with his widowed fatherand other family members. Agraduate of the Riverside Com-munity College Fire Academy,he was in his second year offighting fires for the Fire Ser-vice and planned to beginstudying to become a para-medic after fire season.

“He wanted to be a firefight-er, that was his dream,” saidJerry Eckert, who worked withCerda at a supermarket and hadknown him for 12 years.

Mark Loutzenhiser Jess McLean Jason McKay Daniel Hoover-Najera Pablo Cerda

Family members and friends of fallen firefighters gather during a prayer vigilat LAFD Fire Station 88 in memory of the firefighters who lost their lives bat-tling the Esperanza Fire. Photos by Gene Blevins, CFPA

Janury/February 2007 Los Angeles Firefighter Page 9

When Cancer Strikes –Here is Someone to Talk To...

www.FirefighterCancerSupport.orgor call 1-866-994-FCSN

When LACoFD Fire FighterParamedic Mike Dubronlearned that he had stage threecolorectal cancer in 2003, hewent through what all cancerpatients go through initially –the shock of the diagnosis, theworry about what the futuremight hold and a surging under-current of feelings about con-templating one’s own mortality.

For Dubron, the future islooking bright. In February2007, he will be cancer free forfour years. What helped him getthrough it was talking. Lookingback, he wanted to speak withfellow firefighters but didn’tknow how to find others deal-ing with the “Big C.”

In the darkness of his ownpersonal moments, Dubroncame up with the idea of creat-ing a cancer survivor networkfor firefighters and their familymembers living in the LosAngeles area. One year into hisown remission, he began toenvision the group and what itwould offer.

Not realizing at the time justhow big his “idea” wouldbecome, Dubron requested andreceived much assistance andsupport from IAFF Local 1014and Local 112 as he forgedahead to create the FirefighterCancer Support Network. “Ihad no idea how to organize,create bylaws or obtain a non-profit certification, so I just

began knocking on doors forhelp. And everyone helped.”

He studied samples ofDepartmental policies and pro-cedures, established bylawsand recruited a small, dedicatedboard of directors made up ofcoworkers and cancer survivorswho knew what was at stake.Soon, word of mouth spreadthroughout the Department,followed by an internal briefingannouncing that the FirefighterCancer Support Network’s firstofficial meeting would takeplace on September 22, 2005,at the LAO Training Center. Itwas showtime.

Together with board mem-bers Paul Soteropolous, JerryMcClelland, John Thomas andVioleta Villalobos, Dubron ledthe first meeting in a largeclassroom, where fellow cancersurvivors came to find fire-fighter shoulders to lean on forcomfort, strength and hope. Inthe same room where theytrained to become members ofL.A.’s bravest, they now cameto learn a new drill.

In April 2006, Dubron wasinvited to speak about the Net-work at the California Profes-sional Firefighters Associationmeeting in Anaheim, Califor-nia, where Local 1014 Presi-dent Dave Gilotte submitted aresolution to adopt it statewide– it passed unanimously. Thispast August, a similar resolu-tion was passed by the IAFF attheir international meeting heldin Toronto, Canada, establish-ing formal recognition and sup-port for the new organization.In 2007, regional directors willbe established for North Amer-ican chapters. Interest hascome from as far away as Aus-tralia.

Dubron’s passion for devel-oping the Network to reach asmany people as possible hastaken much of his personal

time, but he doesn’t seem tomind at all.

“I’ve had to learn to managemy time better,” he says. “It hasimpacted my family but theyunderstand and help me, espe-cially my wife.”

As firefighters are known to“take care of their own,”Dubron says that many fire-fighters have stepped up to helpmeet the group’s financialneeds. To start, Local 1014 pur-chased a Skyline trade showbooth to help publicize theirmission at special events. “Iused to think that charitieswaste money but now that I amheavily involved in one, Iunderstand that funding isalways an issue. Someoneneeds to run the charity andthat costs money,” he says.

Funds have also come infrom grateful members of thefire service, families andfriends of deceased members,payroll deduction donationsand Fire Department vendorday proceeds. Soon, the Net-work plans to open an onlinestore on their website,www.FirefighterCancerSup-port.org.

Wrapping up a whirlwindfirst year, Network memberscelebrated the organization’sfirst anniversary at the L.A.County Fire Training Centerlast September, committing toremain focused on their mis-sion of helping others deal withcancer, educate members aboutcancer screenings and earlydetection, and promote anawareness that cancer does nothave to be dealt with alone.

Creating a real network offirefighter cancer survivorsremains key. “We are nowworking with other groups tolet them know that we are here.We spend a lot of time visitingother fire departments withinformation about us. It’s all

about connecting our folkswith others,” he says.

The Network now meets onthe third Thursday of odd num-ber months to give members anopportunity to find that person-al connection and hope fromothers.

“Over the past year, we havereceived e-mail messages andletters from people all acrossthe country, thanking us forstarting the Network, “he says.For Dubron, it’s simple:Everyone just needs someoneto talk to.

That’s just what Fire FighterParamedic Roy Rodriguezneeded when he was diagnosedlast August with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Just weeksbefore, he attended a meetingheld to encourage firefightersto take the annual medicalexamination.

“I was feeling fatigued morethan normal and thought that Iwas just getting older,” saidRodriguez, 40. “I wasn’t losingweight but I noticed bumps onmy face and then some lesions.After seeking help from twodifferent dermatologists withno improvement, I knew thatsomething else was going on.”

His suspicions were correct.While working overtime at FireStation 19, Rodriguez receiveda call from his doctor, inform-ing him that he had lymphoma.He quietly worked the rest ofhis shift in disbelief. A fewdays later, he came to work hisregular shift at Fire Station 26and shared the news with fel-low crew members and leftearly that afternoon. Sincethen, he has been receivingradiation and interferon treat-ments to help him reach remis-sion.

“I miss going to work eachday. I’ve been with the Depart-ment since I was 15 years old –I started out as an Explorer and

then worked in the campsbefore becoming a firefighter,”said Rodriguez.

When Dubron found out thatRodriguez was diagnosed, heimmediately came to help.

“The Firefighter Cancer Sup-port Network is unbelievable,”Rodriguez said. “When I wasdiagnosed, Mike [Dubron]drove all of the way from hishome in the Santa Clarita Val-ley out to my home in Fontanato pick me up for my doctor’sappointment in Los Angeles.He asked my doctor manyimportant questions about mytreatment options. And emo-tionally, he has always beenthere for me because he knowswhat I’m facing.”

Rodriguez is not surprised tolearn that the organization isspreading like wildfire acrossthe country, as firefighters seekout their own brand of support.“It’s tailored for firefightersbecause most of the peopleoffering support are firefightercancer survivors and they knowhow I’m feeling. We work sideby side each day and theseguys make me feel the brother-hood and the camaraderie that Imiss so much,” he said. “Assoon as I start feeling better,I’m planning to attend the sup-port group meetings.”

In the meantime, Rodriguezis trying to spend more timewith family and friends and“just take it all in.” Recently, hetook up a friend’s offer to fly ina small plane along the coast ofSouthern California. “I have awhole different outlook on life.There’s no time to be bitter orfeel sorry for myself,” he said.

To access services or find outmore about the Network,including ways to providefinancial support, visit theirwebsite at www.Firefighter-CancerSupport.org, or call 1-866-994-FCSN.

Mike Dubron

Firefighter Cancer Survivor Thanks LAFD MembersDear Editor:

My name is AnthonyPacheco, Firefighter from FireStation 95, “C” Platoon.

In June of 2006, I was diag-nosed with prostate cancer andon August 4th I was in surgery.Fighting cancer is not as simpleas thinking positively andwishing it away. It is a matterof knowledge, educating your-self about every detail andmustering all your resources.

My Captain’s were my firstresource, who began preparingthe paperwork for Cambridge,making my recovery easy,painless and stress free.

The second resource, familyand friends and the outpouringof support from Fire Station 95,with cards, phone calls, prayersand even helping with taking

out the trash cans weekly…andmost of all, the construction ofa brand new beautiful gate andfence at my home.

This truly shows what greatfriends and true brothers wehave at the fire station.

Now on the road to recoveryand just about ready to report toduty, I would like to thank eachand every member at Fire Sta-tion 95 for all they have done tohelp me and my family throughthis most difficult and challeng-ing time when we needed helpthe most. Their help and sup-port will always beremembered, and is very muchappreciated with such gratitude.

Thank You and Live Stong!Sincerely,Anthony, Maria Pacheco and Family

Firefighters from Fire Station 95 “C” Pla-toon built a fence and gate for brotherfirefighter and prostate cancer survivorAnthony Pacheco.

Page 10 Los Angeles Firefighter Janury/February 2007

Your Health…

The Importance of Family Health History

by Anne Clifford, ConsultantFickewirth & Associates

Happy New Year! We hopethat you survived the holidaysin good health and good spirits.For many of us, holidays meanfamily – coming together tocelebrate the season and eachother. Indeed, family is animportant part of our lives. Andfamily figures into our healthas well.

Most of us know that we canreduce our risk of disease byeating a healthy diet, gettingenough exercise, and not smok-ing. In fact, these goals shouldbe part of your 2007 NewYear’s resolutions. But did youknow that your family historymight be one of the strongestinfluences on your risk ofdeveloping heart disease,stroke, diabetes or cancer?Even though you cannotchange your genetic makeup,knowing your family historycan help you reduce your riskof developing health problems.

Family members share theirgenes, as well as their environ-

ment, lifestyles and habits.Everyone can recognize traitsthat run in their family, such ascurly hair, dimples, leanness orathletic ability. Yet risks fordiseases such as asthma, dia-betes, cancer and heart diseasealso run in families.

The Centers for DiseaseControl in Atlanta has an entiresection on its website devotedto the importance of family his-tory. They note that everyone’sfamily history of disease is dif-ferent. The key features of afamily history that mayincrease risk are:

• Diseases that occur at anearlier age than expected (10 to20 years before most peopleget the disease).

• Disease in more than oneclose relative.

• Disease that does not usual-ly affect a certain gender (forexample, breast cancer in amale).

• Certain combinations ofdiseases within a family (forexample, breast and ovariancancer, or heart disease anddiabetes).

UFLAC members shouldknow that if your family hasone or more of these features,your family history may holdimportant clues about your riskfor disease.

While you can’t change yourfamily history, knowing about itcan actually be advantageous.In fact, people with a familyhistory of disease may have the

most to gain from lifestylechanges and screening tests. Sowhile you can’t change yourgenes, you can changeunhealthy behaviors such assmoking, inactivity, and pooreating habits. In many cases,adopting a healthier lifestylecan reduce your risk for dis-eases that run in your family.

Screening tests such as mam-mograms and colorectal cancerscreen can detect diseases likecancers at an early stage whenthey are most treatable. Screen-ing tests can also detect diseaserisk factors such as high cho-lesterol and high blood pres-sure, which can be treated toreduce the changes of gettingdisease.

So, UFLAC members, I rec-ommend that you use the holi-days as a “jumping off point”to stay in close contact withyour family, and learn moreabout your family health histo-ry. How can you accomplishthis?

• Ask questions.• Talk at family gatherings.• Look at death certificates

and family medical records, ifpossible.

• Collect information aboutyour grandparents, parents,aunts and uncles, nieces andnephews, siblings, and children.The type of information to col-lect includes major medicalconditions and causes of death,age of disease onset and age atdeath, and ethnic background.

Write down the informationand share it with your doctor.Your doctor will assess yourdisease risk based on your fam-ily history and other risk fac-tors, recommend lifestylechanges to help prevent dis-ease, and prescribe screeningtests to detect disease early.

If your doctor notices a pat-tern of disease in your family, itmay be a sign of an inheritedform of disease that is passed onfrom generation to generation.Your doctor may refer you to aspecialist who can help deter-mine whether you have aninherited form of disease.Genetic testing may also helpdetermine if you or your familymembers are at risk. Even withinherited forms of disease, stepscan be taken to reduce your risk.

What happens if you don’thave a history of a particularhealth problem in your family?You could still be at risk. Why?Because:

Your lifestyle, personal med-ical history, and other factorsinfluence your chances of get-ting a disease.

You may be unaware of dis-ease in some family members.

You could have family mem-bers who died young, beforethey had a chance to developchronic conditions such asheart disease, stroke, diabetesor cancer

Another issue for UFLACmembers may involve adop-tion. Learning about your fam-

ily health history may be hardif you are adopted, or youadopted a child. Some adoptionagencies collect medical infor-mation on birth relatives. Thisis becoming more common butis not routine. Laws concerningcollection of information varyby state. The CDC suggeststhat you contact the health andsocial service agency in Cali-fornia for information abouthow to access medical or legalrecords.

In summary, being aware ofyour family health history is animportant part of a lifelongwellness plan. It also allowsyou to take a proactive role inyour health and is well worththe effort. Plus, it gives you agreat excuse to stay in touch …long past the holiday season.

Through the Blue Cross Cal-iforniaCare HMO and PrudentBuyer PPO plans, UFLACmembers and their familieshave access to the finest doc-tors and two of the most exten-sive networks in the state. WithCaliforniaCare, you can builda relationship with your pri-mary care physician andreceive almost all benefitsincluding office visits, hospital-ization, surgery, routine physi-cal exams, well baby care andeven vision and hearing exams,for little or no out-of-pocketcost. Additionally, PrudentBuyer is the best fee-for-serv-ice type health plan availablefor UFLAC members.

At Blue Cross of California,we believe access to health careshould be simple and conven-ient, and provide you with asmany choices as possible.

The www.bluecrossca.comWeb site was designed with yourneeds in mind. It contains linksto the areas you access most.With just a click of the mouse,you’ll be instantly connected toinformation about providers andservices available exclusively toBlue Cross members.

Blue Cross Member Services

Need information fast? Con-fidentiality? And at your con-venience?

Check out the Blue CrossMember Services, located onyour member-friendly Website, and you’ll be well on yourway to accessing confidentialinformation 24 hours a day,seven days a week.

To access Member Services,

follow these easy steps:

Log on to www.bluecross-ca.com, the Blue Cross Website, and click on Members

Click Login to access yourmember information usingMember Services

Next, enter your user ID andpassword or click on MemberSelf-Registration.

After completing the regis-tration process, any memberover 18 may create a uniqueuser ID and password. Mem-bers of family policies mayrestrict the viewing of theirinformation by other memberson their policy by clicking theRestricted View option.

Once your unique user IDhas been accepted, you mayaccess the Member ServicesSecure site.

Now that you have loggedinto Member Services, youhave confidential access toall of your Blue Crossaccounts. Just click on therelevant link to:

View Claims (medical)Review the status of current

and paid claims.Enroll in Paperless EOBsSign up to receive e-mail

notification when a claim isprocessed so that you canreview and print yourExplanation of Benefitsonline.

View Contract InformationView your current medical

plan and any other benefitscovering you and your enrolleddependents.

View Flexible SpendingAccounts

View your account balanceand payments, if applicable.

Request ID CardElectronically request a new

ID card for you or a familymember.

Change Primary Care Physician

(for HMO members)Easily change physicians if

you are an HMO member.Grievance Form

File an online grievance,learn about the Blue Crossgrievance process and how tocomplete a grievance form.

Contact UsElectronically communicate

with Customer Service aboutBenefit issues, questions orconcerns.

WellPoint Pharmacy Member Self Service

Find out if your medication iscovered, what your copaymentamount is and how to downloadand submit a form for a paperclaim or prior authorization.

Search hospital and Pharmacy Information

Access Healthcare Advisor

by Subimo™, an onlineresource that allows you toresearch procedures and screenhospitals based on factors thatmatter most to you.

Search Providers (in California)

Find a physician, medicalgroup or dental provider basedon criteria that you define.

BlueCard provider Search (outside California)Locate a physician or med-

ical group in the BlueCard pro-gram.

DefinitionsGet explanations of health

care industry terms.

Your Direct Connection toMore Information

In addition to accessing con-fidential information, our Website provides easy access toother sources of health careinformation

Getting StartedA. Click on Members on the

top left corner of the Homepage. Since your health carecoverage is provided throughyour employer, click on Groupof 51 or More in the side navi-gation bar. Now click on one ofthe applicable categories in theside navigation bar for accessto information regarding:

PharmacyLearn details about our vari-

ous pharmacy programsVitamins & Over the

counter ProductsAccess the PrecisionRx OTC

Store, where you can get over-the-counter products deliveredto your door.

FormsDownload and print forms

you need (medical/dental, pre-scription drug claim, FlexSpending Account and manymore)

Healthy LivingFine health care resources,

information and special dis-counts. Interested in choosing ahealthy lifestyle for your selfand your family? Then click onHealthyExtensionssm for infor-mation about various vendorsand alternative health carepractitioners who offer dis-counted products and servicesto our members. Discountedproducts include nutritionalsupplements and prescriptioneyewear, and services includediscounts to massage, yoga,and other alternative healthcare practitioners.

Take Advantage of yourBlue Cross of Californiabenefits. Connect to The

Power of Blue.

Blue Cross ConnectionBluecrossca.com

Janury/February 2007 Los Angeles Firefighter Page 11

Can you take it?

Los Angeles Heat

Contributing to this article: Jim Costello, Head Coach,

Santa Ana Fire DeptLouie Gallardo, Los Angeles

Heat PhotographerRay Mayo, Los Angeles Heat

President, LAFD TF-64If you played college, high

school or even pro football andyou are a winner, The LosAngeles Heat wants you!

The 2007 NPSFL season israpidly approaching and fire-fighters from all over SouthernCalifornia are gearing up toplay teams from, Orange Coun-ty, Philadelphia, Chicago andthe L.A.P.D.

During the nineteen eighties,a group of firefighters made upof members from Los AngelesCounty, Orange County and theSouth Bay, played a one-gameseason for charity against theSouth Bay Police Department.

Out of those early years,“The Heat” was formed withmembers from LA City and LACo. Fire Departments andchose the “Children of theNight” as their charity.

In 1992 Los Angeles City

Firefighter Ron Harmon found-ed Los Angeles Football Inc. anon-profit organization com-prised on Los Angeles City andLos Angeles County Firefight-ers. Harmon sought out LAPDofficer Tom Hazelton to set upa football game between thenot yet formed Los AngelesHeat and The LAPD Centuri-ons.

The Following year, in 1993,The Heat played its first gameagainst the San Diego PosseLaw Enforcement team in SanDiego. A second game fol-lowed against the South BayBlue Knights, then a game thatwould be a rivalry that remainstoday was the third game,where the Los Angeles Heattook on the five-time undefeat-ed National Police ChampionLAPD Centurions.

With the Mayor, PoliceChief, Los Angeles Countyand City Fire Chiefs and manyCity Council members in atten-dance at sold out El CaminoJunior College, The Los Ange-les Heat soundly defeated theLAPD Centurions 20-0.

In an ironic twist, thirty yearsprior to the Heat victory overLAPD in1993, the LAFDdefeated the LAPD in a friend-ly tackle football game by thesame score of 20-0.

The Heat earned the mythical

1993 National Public SafetyChampionship with LAFD FireInspector Armando Hogan atthe helm as Head Coach.

Today the Los Angeles Heatis comprised of firefighters andlaw enforcement officers fromall over Southern California,keeping alive a great footballtradition.

We are proud to have RayMayo, LAFD TF-64, as ourteam President and Jim Costel-lo, Santa Ana FD, as our headcoach this year. The Heat alsohas more than a handful ofLAFD members on the rosterthis year,

Check us out on the web atwww.losangelesheat.com

While it’s all business on thefield, the emphasis is on team,family and our charity, the Ali-cia Ann Ruch Burn Founda-tion. This is a charity near tothe hearts of all members ourteam.

Many of our team being firstresponders, witness first handthe lives touched by the BurnFoundation. Each year a por-tion of funds donated to theteam by sponsors and advertis-ers is given to the Burn Foun-dation to help in their contin-ued efforts.

This season the team isscheduled to fly to Philadelphiaand play the Philadelphia Blue

Flame. This will not only be atime for teammates to travel,meet and play football withbrothers in arms, it will be achance for Heat players andtheir families to travel and bewelcomed by firefighters andlaw enforcement in anotherpart of the country.

This year we will welcomeThe Enforcers from Chicagofor a game on April 14th.

Check out the website fordetails on that game andupcoming events.

The Los Angeles Heat wouldlike to encourage your support.If you can’t play for the TheHeat, bring your family andfriends to a game for an after-noon of good family fun. Youcan also support the team bymaking a donation.

Feel the Heat!

2006 INCOME TAXINFORMATION

ACTIVE MEMBERSDUES 942.00DUES WITH PAC 0.00

UFLAC UNITED CONCORDIA FLEX DENTAL PLANMember only 0.00Two-Party 180.00Three or more 684.00

UFLAC DIRECT REIMBURSEMENT DENTAL PLANMember only 0.00Two-Party 384.00Three or more 1,044.00

PREPAID PLANSGOLDEN WEST DENTALMember only 0.00Family 0.00

UNITED CONCORDIA PLUS DENTALMember only 0.00Family 0.00

BLUE CROSS (CaliforniaCare)Member only 0.00Member and one 64.50Member and two or more 391.50

BLUE CROSS PPO (Prudent Buyer)Member only 123.00Member and one 3,060.00Member and two or more 4,878.00

RETIRED MEMBERSRetired members do not pay dues

UFLAC UNITED CONCORDIA FLEX DENTAL PLANMember only 672.00Two-Party 984.00Three or more 1,488.00

UFLAC DIRECT REIMBURSEMENT DENTALMember only 720.00Two-Party 1,188.00Three or more 1,848.00

PREPAID PLANSGOLDEN WEST DENTALMember only 240.00Two-Party 240.00Family 240.00

UNITED CONCORDIA PLUS DENTALMember only 396.00Family 720.00

BLUE CROSS (CaliforniaCare)Member only 3,905.00Member and one 7,474.00Member and two or more 9,161.00

BLUE CROSS PPO (Prudent Buyer)Member only 6,079.00Member and one 11,918.00Member and two or more 13,689.00

If you are a retired member receiving a City health and den-tal subsidy, then you will need to adjust the above figures bythe subsidy amount you have received. In this case, youmay call the UFLAC Benefits office at (213)977-9014 orwrite for the correct rates.

Introducing our Union Webmaster…

Mikel BullisMikel Bullis, President of

UnionCentrics, currentlyserves over 35 IAFF Locals(U.S. and Canada). He is veryhumbled, flattered and amazedto work with the Locals thathave entrusted him with theirtechnical needs.

Bullis is a former Firefight-er/Paramedic with the SanMarino Fire Dept. (IAFF Local

3626) with 23 employees…soto be working with the nationslargest Locals is very reward-ing to him.

He works closely with theFighter Cancer Support Net-work and Firefighters Quest.His critical and professionalsupport of the peripheral needsof firefighters is known inter-nationally.

Bullis has been working withIAFF Locals since 1997. Thisphoto was taken of him at theIAFF Convention in Toronto,Canada in August, 2006.

Bullis can be reached at:UnionCentrics.com

1613 Chelsea Rd., Suite 341San Marino, Ca. 91108

626 284 4544 tel626 284 5844 fax

Photo by Jim Perry

Attention All Members:The UFLAC Code-A-Phone is no longer in service. Up to date informationand your written comments can be made on our ever-expanding Website:

www.uflac.org

Page 12 Los Angeles Firefighter Janury/February 2007

In Loving Memory of Nicholas Paul SteinbacherDecember 8, 1984 – December 10, 2006

Nicholas Paul Steinbacherpassed away on December 10,2006 while faithfully and dili-gently serving his country inIraq. He had turned 22 yearsold two days prior. While on anight patrol outside of Bagh-dad, Nicholas’s convoy was hitby two IED’s that tragicallytook Nick’s life.

Nick was born December 8th,1984 to father Paul and motherCarolyn Steinbacher. Nick wasborn and raised in La Crescentawith his older brother Dan andyounger brother Kirk, where hespent every waking momentbeing an active member of hissmall community. He was athrill-seeking, mischievous,cheerful kid who played soccerin his youth and excelled infootball later on in high school,proudly wearing the number51, which was his father’s num-ber before him. A constantsource of life, Nick was a pro-fessional at getting into troubleas well as getting out of it—hepossessed a grin that made itextremely difficult for anyoneto stay angry at him, and heused it to his full advantage.

Nick had a personality thatwas hard to ignore, and he lefta distinct impression on any-one’s life he touched. He waswell-known throughout thecommunity, and the longer youknew Nick, the more you real-

ized how important it was tostay on your toes around him;he would say or do just aboutanything, and usually did.Years of camping in Mammothand Yosemite with his familyturned Nick into an avid fisher-man. He loved the outdoorsand going on fishing trips, andwhile in Iraq spoke about want-ing to go back to the Owensriver with his fishing buddies(his grandfather, uncles, andother friends) as soon as hecould, even though he wasmuch closer to world-classfishing in Europe; the cama-raderie he felt with them wasmuch more important than thelocation of the river.

He joined the Army after sev-eral years at a community col-lege out of a sense of duty andpatriotism, never being one to

sit back and let others do a jobhe could do himself. Heexcelled in the military life,and was described by one ofthe men in his squad as “thespirit of the company.” A pas-sion he discovered while serv-ing was skydiving, which was a

bit surprising given that hisfirst jump during Airbornetraining left him with a brokenleg and several pins in his shin.For many, this would be a set-back, but Nick had a way ofturning anything into a posi-tive, and ended up winning anIronhorse fitness competitionthree months after breaking hisleg. He loved skydiving andspent much of his free timedoing it, and wanted everyonehe knew to experience the feel-ing of being one with the sky.Everyone who describes Nick,from childhood friends to hisArmy brothers, has a differentstory to tell about him, buteveryone says the same thing:Nick brought laughter and lighteverywhere he went.

Losses such as these are trag-ic, but it has been a source of

joy for his family and friends toknow that without a doubt,Nick died doing something hebelieved in and something heloved. He had an uncomplicat-ed view on life—there wasgood and bad, right and wrong,and he knew which side he wason, which path he had chosen,and wouldn’t have had it anyother way. If there is anythingto be gained from such a loss, itis the constant reminder thatlife is too short to do anythingyou don’t love, and to notwaste our time here worryingor debating instead of acting.Everyone that knew him wasblessed to do so. His familywishes to extend our mostheartfelt thanks for the all thelove and support we have beenreceiving from our community,the firefighter community, themilitary, and all our friends.Your thoughts and prayers havebeen keeping us strong. Intimes like this many peoplewant to know what they can doto help, and our thought is this:Honor Nick by living your lifeto the fullest, as he did, and bynot taking your time here forgranted. Take time to tell thepeople you care about that youlove them, and leave nothingyou feel unsaid.

With thanks and love,The Steinbacher Family

This issue of The Los Angeles Firefighter is dedicated in memory of Nicholas Stein-bacher, son of Firefighter Paul D. Steinbacher, Fire Station 97 – “B” Platoon, and to allmembers of the armed forces who have sacrificed their lives in service to their country.Our hearts and prayers are with the families and friends of those heroes that have paidthe ultimate price and to the thousands who have been injured. We pray for their safereturn home…Jim Perry, Editor

The Steinbacher Family, left to right: mother Carolyn, Dan, Nicholas, Kirk and father Paul.

U.S. Army Specialist Nicholas Steinbacher in Iraq.

Nick was everybody’s friend.