Assembly Concurrent Resolution
No. 112
CHAPTER 141
Relative to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection firefighters.
[
Filed with
Secretary of State
September 22, 2003.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
ACR 112, Bogh.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection firefighters.
This measure would recognize and commend the bravery and selflessness of the firefighters of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and express appreciation for their continued service and dedication to the residents of this state.
Digest Key
WHEREAS, The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) firefighters perform an essential public service, and CDF is the third largest fire fighting agency in the country and operates 634 fire stations in the state; and
WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the significant duties, responsibilities, hazards, and sacrifices of the approximately 4,500 CDF firefighters, 1,200 of whom work for local governments pursuant to contractual agreements between CDF and local governments for fire fighting services; and
WHEREAS, The men and women of CDF continue to devote themselves to their jobs regardless of the potential hazards and dangers to themselves; and
WHEREAS, They selflessly respond to such emergencies as the Oakland Hills Fire, the Dunsmuir Flood, and assisting in the rescue efforts in Oklahoma City after the 1995 bombing and in New York City after September 11, 2001; and
WHEREAS, CDF firefighters answer over 300,000 calls a year and only 2.5 percent, approximately, of those calls relate to wildland fires; and
WHEREAS, The firefighters of CDF perform the same work as other municipal fire departments, such as responding to structural fires, automobile accidents, attending to victims of heart attacks, drownings, and rescuing flood and earthquake victims; and
WHEREAS, Because of drought, because of the bark beetle infestation, and because of sudden oak death disease, we are facing historically high levels of fuels; and
WHEREAS, This year threatens to be the most dangerous fire season we have ever seen; last year, the fires in the West stopped at our state’s border, but it is only a matter of time before fires either cross the state’s border or begin in the state; and
WHEREAS, As we head into the most critical fire season in modern history, it is important to recognize and support the efforts of our CDF firefighters; and
WHEREAS, The California Firefighters’ Memorial in Capitol Park bears the names of approximately 913 firefighters who died in the line of duty and approximately 70 of those are the names of CDF firefighters who have lost their lives protecting our residents, their homes, parks, and communities; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California does hereby recognize and commend the bravery and selflessness of the firefighters of the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and expresses its appreciation for their continued service and dedication to the residents of this state; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the Director of Forestry and Fire Protection, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.