The SupplyLineStockton Professional Firefighters Local 456

Volume 11, Issue 2 February- 2008

February 6th marked the 11th anniversary of this

tragic event. In our day to day lives, we shouldn’t

forget those who paid the ultimate price. For those who

knew Brett and Bryan I’m sure it’s not difficult. So, take

a second, think about how lucky we are, and do the best we can, every day, to ensure that you’ve got the backs of

your brothers and sisters. Be safe everyone.

The SupplyLineStockton Professional Firefighters

Local 456

Layout/Design ManagerJustin Wilson

Union Liaison/DirectorSteve Specht

Print EditorKevin Crosby

ConsultantAaron Hall

Special ThanksMike Morrell

Special ThanksTony Moudakis

The Union SupplyLine is produced for topics of concern to our mem-

bers. However, opinions ex-pressed in the Union SupplyLine are not necessarily those of the

Stockton Professional Firefighters Local 456. All members are in-

vited to submit articles, letters and statements for consideration of

publication and are subject to edit unless otherwise agreed upon.

Any Questions/Comments Contact:

Justin WilsonT7A or

supplyline@stocktonfirefighters.com

We’re On the WEB!!www.stocktonfirefighters.com

Cover Photo:Firefighter Memorial

(Aaron Hall)

happy birthday!

S.F.D. Local 456S.F.D. Local 456

Dennis Edwards 1stRyan Crawford 8thTodd Silski 9thGreg Benevides 10thJocelyn Castillo 12thDouglas Satterfi eld 13thThomas Zimmerman 13thGenaro Escobar 14thJames Miller 15thLeonard Lind 17thTimothy Mangum 18thAnthony Costa 19thPatrick McKeegan 20thJohn Martin 21stRobert Stover 24thChristopher Wynkoop 25thBrian Gaukel 27th

Schedule for upcoming Local 456 events: Union Hall Work Parties:

March 10thApril 15thMay 12thJune 16thJuly 14th

August 11thUnion Meetings:

March 18thMay 20th

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Broomball TournamentTime: 1100-1600

Location: Stockton Arena Details: Broomball tournament involving local agencies in a double elimination format with the (2) top teams in tickets sales playing during intermission of the Stockton Thunder game to begin at 1900 hrs. This event is be-

ing called “Hero Night” with the following agencies participating: Sheriff, AMR, Lodi PD, Tracy PD, Corrections, and a few more to

include the SFD.

Contact: John Loverin, Jay Anema

With primary elections in full swing we begin to prepare for local elections with several impor-tant races on the horizon. The peculiar thing is a few gentlemen now sitting on the county board of supervi-sors may wish to seek our endorsement for mayor. Re-grettably those are the same ones who failed to meet with us and discuss concerns over dispatching. So I sit here patiently waiting for my phone to ring and listen to the same old rhetoric. If that day will come I’ll give them their chance to release the all familiar political sales pitch and then unload some bent up frustration. Those two individuals along with most of the others have failed time and time to even hear our issues. Poli-tics can be dirty in today’s society and without a doubt that’s just what’s taken place with our county constitu-ents.

We’re in for some rough economic times as you most know, and that’s why it’s important we endorse a mayor and city council that will support fi refi ghters and remember the many concessions this union has given back to the city in recent years. Several Executive Board members and Offi cers at-tended union leadership training in New Orleans last month. The training was widespread giving us good information to employ here in Stockton. Over 1000 union brothers and sisters were in attendance which made for some good networking.

Jim Wold and I met with HR and Braggs and Associ-ates who is our workers comp administrator recently. I had some concerns on the length of time for claims to be accepted and the presumptive protection being denied or delayed on a regular basis. After the meet-ing was over we received some good education on the process and why claims are slow to act. We’re fortu-

nate enough to now have Jim Wold as a liaison to the city and Braggs. He will work with our fi refi ghters, assisting them with any questions so the process can be expedited.

What a crab feed! Todd Silski and his crew assembled another fi ne event with plenty of crab and entertainment by our own Scotty McDonald. With the crab feed growing over the years and a wide vari-ety of issues such as the bar running out of beer and people who carry on conversations during our short presentation I think it’s time for a change. I remember a smaller venue where we had just fi refi ghters and their families, retirees and some close friends which made for a good time with our own. I truly believe we should have control of the bar due to issues in the past and get the Stockton Firefi ghters Local 456 Installa-tion Dinner back to its roots.

Theresa, Gregory, Ryan and Aiden Prouty will always be part of the Stockton Fire Department Fami-ly. Life can be unfair at times and deliver life changing events. Andy has 260 plus fellow fi refi ghters who will remember his quirky sense of humor, his dedication to the Stockton Fire Department and most important how proud he was of his wife and three boys.

Stay Safe,Macedo

President’s Address by Dave Macedo

“It takes 30 seconds to do something, but it may take 30 years to live it down.” — Berkeley Fire Department

The GB Spot by Greg Biddle

I’d like to start off by thanking Justin Wilson for taking on the task of putting together the Supply-line and getting it sent out. Keep up the good work and thanks for donating your personal time to continue this endeavor.

This past month has seen a number of Cap-tains being promoted. Congratulations to Erik Patten, Craig Young, Rick Edwards, Dale Dockery, and Curt Bascherini on your promotion to Fire Captain, Regular Status; and to Jerome Martinez, Jay Wilkin, and Chris Wright on your promotion to Fire Captain, Conditional Status. The Engineer’s list will be certifi ed upon completion of the manipulative portion of the exam to take place in March. The candidates are currently completing the Engineer’s Training Manual in prepa-ration for the manipulative exam. Good luck to all the candidates on being successful in passing the manipu-lative exam. I’m sure you all realize that luck will not get you through the process, but hard work and good preparation will play the biggest part in your being successful in the next portion of the testing process.

Last month saw the close of another career with the retirement of Engineer Don Marlow. Have a great retirement Don. If you’d like a good laugh, ask me about the time I went fi shing on the Ab trip with Don and the events leading up to it. It is probably not right to laugh at other’s misfortune, but sometimes you really can’t help yourself.

The Executive Board sent some of its members to New Orleans last month for the Affi liate Leader-

ship Training Seminar or ALTS Conference. This is defi nitely the best conference that the IAFF offers. We received some very good training in the areas of negotiating, discipline, health care, to name just a few of the topics. Thank you for your support in keeping your Union leadership trained and up to date on pro-tecting your wages, hours, and working conditions.

We received an invitation from Local 798, San Francisco Fire Fighters, to attend the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 15, 2008. They will be meeting at 11:00 at 2nd and Market Streets to march in the parade.

We are currently beginning to meet with candi-dates running for political offi ce both on the local and state level. This is an election year and as the Local makes endorsements, I would just like to remind ev-eryone that there will be many opportunities to assist with the campaigns of the candidates we support.

I’d love to close by saying “see you on the big one”, but then I remember that at Engine 11 we don’t go to fi res, so I’ll see you around and if you have any ques-tions, give me a call in between medical emergen-cies at Company 11 A shift.

Chris Wright, Kurt Bascherini, and

Jerome Martinez ac-cept there Captain badge’s from Chief

Hittle.

Captain Andy Prouty, November 28, 1960 --- January 11, 2008

Andy, Thank you for your service and the memories. We will remember you always.

Let me start off by saying “Thank you” to Todd Silski and his crew of helpers for yet another great crab feed. The crab feed was a good time and a memorable evening for many of our brothers and sisters!

This past month your Executive Board traveled to New Orleans for the IAFF Human Relations Con-ference and Advanced Leadership Training Seminar. The board took numerous classes over the course of fi ve days with the purpose of increasing the strength and solidarity of this great Local. I think each mem-ber of the board came away from New Orleans with a new perspective of the IAFF and just how well we have it here in the SFD compared to a lot of other departments across the United States and Canada. To maintain and improve what we have, we will need ad-ditional hard work and dedication from each and every member of this Local.

EMS continues to be a hot topic for both the City and the Local. The Local’s web site, www.amatterofpublicsafety.com is currently undergoing some revisions. We contacted our attorneys to review the site and its’ content to make sure we present the information in a legal manner. We are in the process of drafting a letter to the IAFF to bring attention to the

dispatching and EMSA problems here in San Joaquin County. While in New Orleans, we spoke with other Locals here in California who are facing similar prob-lems with private companies dispatching 911. Rest assured, your Local is working diligently to correct the current problems with both dispatching and EMS in San Joaquin County. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me or any other member of the Executive Board.

On a different note, John Hanley, President of the San Francisco Firefi ghters L798, has once again invited L456 to their city’s annual Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. This year’s parade will be held on Saturday, March 15th, which is different from years past when it was traditionally held on a Sunday. It would be nice to see a group from our Local march-ing in the parade. I’ll get more information out to the fi rehouses this week.

Fraternally,Rick Edwards

Rick’s Roundtable by Rick Edwards

IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION FOR RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS:

The IRS has published new instructions on how retired fi re fi ghters can take advantage of the Health care Enhancement for Local Public Safety (HELPS) benefi t on their 2007 tax returns. The IRS instructions for fi ling 2007 tax returns explains how to take advantage of this valuable benefi t. The IRS will allow retired fi re fi ghters to exclude from income distributions made from eligible retire-ment plans up to $3,000 annually to pay the premiums for accident or health insurance or long-term care insur-ance. The premiums can be for coverage for the retiree, spouse or dependents. The distribution must be made directly from the retirement plan to the insurance provider. Eligible retirement plans include qualifi ed trusts, section 403 (a) plans, section 403 (b) annuities and section 457(b) plans.On December 26, 2007, the IRS offi cially changed its position to allow participants in self-insured plans to be eligible for the HELPS Retirees benefi t. The HELPS Retirees Act allows qualifi ed public safety offi cers to use up to $3,000 per year from their qualifi ed retirement plans for health and long-term care insurance premiums.

HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT?

The beginning of the year is the time when many of us make resolutions. We resolve to save more money, to get better looking and the number one resolution: lose weight. It’s no wonder that losing weight is so high on the list. Excess weight is known to contribute to high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. I’m not so sure I can help you with the fi nances and your looks, but think about these things as you try to lose weight.

1) YOU DIDN’T GAIN IT OVERNIGHT AND YOU WON’T LOSE IT OVERNIGHT. Healthy and sustainable weight loss is limited to 3-8 pounds per month. Slick diets that cause more than that are usu-ally not sustainable and are a big reason that by Febru-ary, this resolution ends up failing.

2) THIS IS NOT THE ARMY. Three hots and a cot might be fi ne for them but 4-5 smaller meals a day are better than 2-3 large meals. And don’t skip meals - especially breakfast. Keeping your metabolism and blood sugar constant throughout the day will aid in weight loss.

3) TELL A FRIEND. The more people who know you are trying to lose weight, the bigger your support network. Hopefully, at that moment you are about to slip, there will someone there to catch you. You’ll fi nd out who your real pals are if they give you a gentle nudge instead of a helping hand!

4) IT’S SIMPLE MATH. Most of us need to create a defi cit of 3500 calories to lose one pound. We can cut 3500 out of our current diet, exercise 3500 more than we currently do or both. The key here is that it must be a 3500 calorie change. If you just eliminate 250 calories a day and exercise 250 calories a day over and above your current routine - you can lose a pound a week. If you did a pound a week by summer - just think!

5) A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS. Don’t hop on the scale two and three times a day - you will just be disappointed. Our weight varies from day to day and time of day. Weigh in once a week and track it using SFD Wellness Online. Give me a call if you don’t know how.

So let’s get after it and shed our winter coat. Who knows, drop a few pounds and maybe the money and looks things will take care of them-selves? Never know. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.

Be safe - stay fi t!

Jim

Wold’s Word by Jim Wold

GLADYS BENERD MEMORIAL Scholarship Applications

FINAL DUE DATE Friday March 28, 2008

Any questions contact: Ken Johnson

Relief Pool ©

If you need an application go to the local 456 web page or email Ken at johnsonsfd@aol.com

As my 34 year career comes to a close I would like to refl ect back on the distinct honor it was to serve the City of Stockton as a Stockton Profes-sional Firefi ghter.

On March 10, 1972 I became a volunteer fi re-fi ghter for the Eastside Rural Fire Protection District. At the time my only thought was, “Who in their right mind would make this their lifetime career?” Well, April 16, 1974 I reported to Eastside Fire Station #1, two hours early, for my fi rst shift as a probationary fi refi ghter starting a career that I thought would never end. Now, 34 years later, I’m reporting to Fire Chief Ron Hittle to turn in my badge, keys, turnouts, cell phone, and any other city property I may have. I am saying farewell to a career that with the exception of February 6th, 1997, I can honestly say I never had a bad shift in this great fi re department. The comrades and lifelong friendships are a priceless and never for-gotten commodity.

As we start our careers in the fi re department we are mentored and looked after by engineers, cap-tains, Battalion Chiefs, and ultimately the Chief who just seem to be older than dirt. This is when “KA-POW!” it reaches up and slaps you, that you now are the guy older than dirt, trust me, it comes fast.

Regarding the position of Fire Chief, I have had the privilege of working directly with three (Ratto, Gillis, Hittle). I would like to respond to an old wives tail about the Fire Chief, honestly he is not from a royal family, or has Fire Chief tattooed on their back-side at birth. They work hard, constantly motivated, stay involved, study, and test, promote, and have the Fire Department at heart. This opportunity is afforded

to all of us during our careers, take advantage of it whenever you can.

Speaking of Fire Chief Ron Hittle, not his Executive Staff, in my opinion Local 456 is fortunate to be able to work with a Fire Chief who is a man of honesty and integrity, not only in his personal life but also in his position as Fire Chief of the Stockton Fire Department. Chief Hittle is supportive of every mem-ber in our department and defi nitely has his heart and soul in the right place. In turn, should be supported at all times.

In closing, always have fun – the time on the job goes fast. Always get involved – the bigger the numbers the better the results. Finally, always remem-ber; install in others the concept that has made the Stockton Fire Department a true fi rst class fi re depart-ment for over a hundred years – IT HAS TO BE WE, NOT ME, TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

Thank you Local 456 and the 456 e-board for you continued hard work and commitment. Last but not least, thank your, each and every member and your families for your support and friendship throughout my career, making it a journey never to be forgotten.

Captain Al Anton – Now Retired

A Final Thank You and Goodbye by Al Anton

p pp y

“Just because you’re certified doesn’t mean you’re qualified.” — Lieutenant Danny Graham, New Hampton FD, New York

To Our SFD Family,

3 years ago a letter was published in The Sup-ply Line thanking everyone for all of their support after our daughter Miabella was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. This past October Mia completed all of the chemotherapy in her treatment protocol. Her fi nal spinal tap and bone marrow aspiration revealed a complete remis-sion and absence of leukemia cells! She will not be con-sidered “cured” until after her fi ve years of sustained remission, and will continue to receive monthly and yearly blood draws to observe her progress. For now she is able to live as a normal four year old girl.

There are no words to describe the feeling of making it through cancer treatment, but there are many, many words that we would like our family at SFD to hear! First we would like to commend you for your unwavering support and love throughout such an extended ordeal. The altruistic nature of the families within this department, have quite literally carried us in times when we could not muster the strength to walk. We feel very fortunate to have had such an overwhelming support system that in the duration of 3 years there has never been a day we have not felt the presence of willing hands. The encouraging mes-sages left on Mia’s web site, charitable attendance to countless fund raising events, and donation of blood products in Mia’s name are unbelievably noble acts none of which have gone unnoticed. It is very important to us that EVERYONE

who has helped us even in the smallest sense of the word knows how appreciative we are and how radiant the souls of our SFD family have been shining.

The remarkable fellowship between depart-ments broadened our patronage resulting in Tracy Fire Department and Lodi Fire Department extend-ing their gracious reinforcements. A big thank you to all of them! A very special thank you goes out to the Stockton Fire Department Family Auxiliary who’s lion hearted and merciful charity provided to us meals, blankets, and toys during lengthy hospital stays. We feel so fortunate to be one of the many families that you help every day. Thank you. A special thank you also to Matthew Baker! His efforts to help not just our family, but all of the other families battling blood cancers has resulted in the establishment of the Stock-ton Light the Night Walk. The Light the Night walk has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for

the Leukemia Lymphoma Society funding research for cures and educating families dealing with diagnosis and treatment. Not only has Matt helped to create this event, he has also chaired it with many, many helpers. And to all of you our thank you ex-tends from bottomless hearts.

Mia has been doing very well off of treatment. She is fi nally getting taller, fi nally growing enough hair to pull into “one pony”, and no longer has a port (central line). She is looking forward to starting kindergarten in the fall as a typical fi ve year old, and we are enjoying the opportunity to see the world in new ways through her eyes.

With Great Love-The Harris FamilyMatthew, Rachel, Cameron, and Miabella

Thank You From the Harris Family

3RD ALARM POKER RUN AND CHILI COOKOFF SEPTEMBER 20083RD ALARM POKER RUN AND CHILI COOKOFF SEPTEMBER 2008Sponsored by:

A Baker’s Dozen by Matt Baker

I hope you all are enjoying the winter months. All this rain and snow should make a great summer with the pals on those fancy wakeboard boats. Mid January some great folks from L456 were able to help out with the Teddy Bear Drive at the arena during a Thunder game. Thank you to T-Mo and family, my family, Ryan and Katie Peters, Nate and Dusty Joyce, John and Jenna Hellige, Frank and Hiedi Elston, Pat Mckeegan and Kevin Chase. These fi ne folks stepped up and were able to help collect roughly 8,000 teddy bears off the ice. All of which will be distributed by Andy Prokop and United Way throughout the com-munity into various organizations. Great job and thank you again for helping out. Also, in January, members of your e-board went to the Human Relations and ALTS conference in New Orleans. This was some of the absolute best union training I have encountered since becoming a member of this board. I took classes on our rights as union members pertaining to discipline and griev-ances. I also took classes on negotiating, collective bargaining, and increasing member participation. We all brought back some great knowledge which will defi nitely be benefi cial to the local.

I will be looking for some expert bowlers this month. On March 1st we will be offering a team of bowlers to Bowl For Kids Sake. This event will benefi t the Big Brothers and Sisters organization and will take place at West Lane Bowl. If interested, give me a call to participate. Chili cook off is in full swing with registration on the website shortly. I would love to have a team from every fi rehouse. Yes, I said it, EVERY FIRE HOUSE!!!!! We would like to make this an event to last for many years to come. Spread the word and call me for details and questions. Please support your local and do your best to make it to Hero night at the arena. Bring the families Feb. 16th. Call Anema or Loverin for tickets.

Matt

We’d like to acknowledge everyone who attended and helped serve lunch at Andy Prouty’s fu-neral. Special thanks to: Jeannine Barrera, Liz Hittle, Sylvia Patten, Kathy Swanson, Barb Wilson & Mi-chelle Wright.

We assisted two burned out families in January and would like to thank all the people who support our organization and enable us to continue assisting fami-lies during their time of crisis. One of the ways we help the families is through our connection with the St. John’s thrift store. Unfortunately, as some of you know, St. John’s has closed. If anyone has a connec-tion with another thrift store in Stockton that would be willing to establish a relationship with us in order to continue providing vouchers to these families, please e-mail Jen Whitlock at whitlockjen@sbcglobal.net.

Thanks to the following people who helped serve at the Jan. 19th Louie Mazza Crab feed: Dan

Haas, Amanda Hendrickson, Ron Geraghty, Richard Diaz, Pete Devenchennze, Justin “TINY”, Christina Hoskinson & Ryan Hoskinson… and a special thanks to Ryan for fi nding all of these volunteers.

Mark Your Calendar:-May 29th (A shift) - Golf Tournament at Forrest Lake Golf Course

If anyone would like to donate raffl e prizes for the golf tourna-ment, please con-tact Paula Runion at phrunion@wildblue.net.

SFDFA News by Sue Vitz

Order FBOR Pocket Guides Today!California fi refi ghters now have the most extensive on-the-job protections enjoyed by any public employees - CPF’s Firefi ghters Bill of Rights.

CPF has just published: “Know Your Rights,” a FREE pocket guide which spells out your rights as a fi refi ghter under this important law.

To order this informative pocket guide email info@cpf.org, with your name, your local, your address where you would like them mailed and the quantity you would like. To order by phone, call Carol Koebbeman at (916) 921-9111.

“IF you’re going to be dumb, you’d better be tough!”— Eli Voss, Engine 8, Davenport (Iowa) Fire Department

Contact Elizabeth (Libby) Castillou(209) 887-1888(209)403-4943

St. Andrews Newday Preschool will open enrollment to new students on Tuesday, March 18th @ 8;30 a.m. Newday is licensed by the State of California’s Department of Social Services #390301320. Newday offers

classes for 3-5 year olds. Activities include: Arts & crafts, fi eld trips, cooking experiences, singing & music, science, dramatics,

sand & water play, show & tell shar-ing time, and exercise. Newday also

offers excellent prekindergarten skills including: identifying letters, numbers, colors, shapes, reading

readiness, writing, verbalizing, and listening skills.

Newday offers 1/2 day (8:45-11:30)

or full day (8:45-3:15). Newday enrolls on a fi rst-come, fi rst-serve

basis. Students need to turn 3 y/o by December 1, 2008 to be eligible for

enrollment.Information and registration forms can be obtained in the school offi ce at

4910 Claremont Ave., (directly be-hind Penny’s) or by calling Norma at

957-4089.

St. Andrew’s Newday PreschoolSt. Andrew’s Newday Preschool Open Enrollment for Fall Classes Open Enrollment for Fall Classes

SFD in Action...

...More to follow!

We are always looking for Pictures and articles to put in the Supplyline. If anyone gets any

good shots or has something to say, send it our way!

All material for the supplyline will be due the Friday after the monthly e-board meeting. If

its not received in time it will go in the next months issue. This is necessary to get our

newsletter out in a timely manner.Thank You

A special thanks to Kurt Katsuyoshi for taking pictures at Captain Prouty’s services.

Kurt also put them together for this issue of the Supplyline. Thank you Kurt.

Samuel FantReferring Travel AgentP.O. Box 6831Stockton, CA 95206Ph# (209) 467-1391 Fax# (209) 957-6160E-mail: sfant25250@aol.comwww.ytb.com/sefant