BULLETIN 50-23 SEPTEMBER GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

September 29, 2023
Bulletin 50 – 23

 

SEPTEMBER GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

 

We hosted our September General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, September 27th and covered a few important items. We also held a Special Meeting prior to the regularly scheduled GM meeting.

Click here to view the brief video message from UFLAC President Freddy Escobar with a recap of the September General Membership Meeting.

We encourage all members who have questions or comments about anything related to UFLAC or the LAFD to send them to [email protected].

 

In Solidarity,

Executive Board
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

BULLETIN 49-23 MEMBER UPDATE

September 26, 2023
Bulletin 49 – 23

 

MEMBER ALERT

The Los Angeles Area Fire Chaplains
2023 “Two Are Better Than One” Firefighter’s Breakfast

To view a video invitation for the event, click here.

 

The Los Angeles Area Fire Chaplains invite all members and their families to attend the 2023 “Two Are Better Than One” Firefighter’s Breakfast on Thursday, October 26th from 9AM-11AM at Cottonwood Church in Los Alamitos.

Just like the two-in-two-out rule on the fire scene, two are better than one in life. There are people and resources that stand ready to help.

Hear LAFD Capt. II Victor Aguirre share his story of survival from the Boyd St. Incident followed by an inspirational message from LAFD Captain and Lead Chaplain Tim Werle that will impact your mind, heart, and soul.

Various Mental/Behavioral Health, Relational, Peer Support, and Faith-Based organizations will be present to provide information and answer questions. All active and retired First Responders, spouses, and government leaders are welcome!

Register Now at Eventbrite.com by clicking here.

In Solidarity,

Executive Board
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

BULLETIN 47-23 MEMBER UPDATE

September 8, 2023
Bulletin 47 – 23

 

MEMBER ALERT

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE INTERVIEWS SEPTEMBER 19 & 20

On March 5, 2024 the Primary Election for Los Angeles City Council Districts 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 will be held.

With these critical elections for half of our City Council seats coming in less than six months, UFLAC is hosting candidate interviews for those seeking our endorsement in the upcoming races. We are expecting every major candidate for office to attend, including the incumbent councilmembers.

Every single day we are reminded of the importance of getting involved in the political process – especially here at the local level. Our UFLAC endorsement process is fair, transparent, and open to all members in good standing.

We encourage all members in good standing to attend and participate as we decide which candidates for office have earned UFLAC’s endorsement. Breakfast and lunch will be provided on both days.

Here is the schedule:

Tuesday, September 19th

7:30 am – 8:00 am
Breakfast & Briefing

8:00 am – 10:00 am
Council District 4 (Silver Lake, Hollywood Hills, Encino, Sherman Oaks)
*Incumbent is Councilmember Nithya Raman

10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Council District 2 (North Hollywood, Toluca Lake, Valley Village)
*This will be an open seat with no incumbent. 

12:30 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch Break & Discussion

1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Council District 10 (Leimert Park, Baldwin Village, West Adams)
*Incumbent is Councilmember Heather Hutt

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Discussion & Possible Vote

4:30 pm
Adjourn

Wednesday, September 20th

7:30 am – 8:00 am
Breakfast & Briefing

8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Council District 14 (Boyle Heights, El Sereno, Eagle Rock, Downtown LA)
*Incumbent is Councilmember Kevin de Leon

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch, Discussion & Possible Vote

1:00 pm
Adjourn

BULLETIN 46-23 SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

September 6, 2023
Bulletin 46 – 23

 

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. We want to use this time to emphasize and reinforce our commitment to all of you, our LAFD Firefighters and family members. We are here for you, just as you are here for the citizens of the City of Los Angeles.

According to a study of 1,027 retired and current firefighters conducted by the Journal of Affective Disorders:

  • 8% OF FIREFIGHTERS HAD SUICIDAL THOUGHTS OR IDEAS
  • 2% OF FIREFIGHTERS MADE PLANS TO COMMIT SUICIDE
  • 5% OF FIREFIGHTERS MADE A SUICIDAL ATTEMPT
  • 4% OF FIREFIGHTERS HARMED THEMSELVES BUT DID NOT COMMIT SUICIDE
  • MORE FIREFIGHTERS DIE BY SUICIDE THAN IN LINE OF DUTY DEATHS

If you or someone you know needs immediate help for suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. You can also visit HealingOurOwn.org for more resources.

UFLAC CENTER FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS

UFLAC and the LAFD are committed to your health and wellbeing. UFLAC has licensed Mental Health Professionals, including certified Addictions/Alcoholism Specialists. Additionally, the LAFD has two licensed Mental Health Professionals staffing the Fire Department’s Behavioral Health Program. As UFLAC/LAFD members, you and your families have access to all our services, 24/7, at no cost.

Here is how you can contact us:

Dr. Alejandro Zavala
UFLAC Director of Behavioral Health Services
& Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Cell: 213-332-0334

Melissa Ryan O’Keefe
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Cell: 213-544-6100

Vera Rodriguez
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Cell: 213-238-3609

Hugo Catalan Jr.
Chemical and Behavioral Addictions Manager
Cell: 213-544-5890

Dr. Krystle Madrid
LAFD Clinical Psychologist
Cell: 213-718-0768

Dr. Julie Snyder
LAFD Clinical Psychologist
Office: 323-276-7169

For more information and resources on all of our services, you can also visit us online at www.uflachealthandwellness.org.

UFLAC PEER SUPPORT

Additionally, UFLAC/LAFD has a robust Peer Support Program with well-trained Peers on our Team. CLICK HERE for the complete roster with contact information for our Team members. Please remember that it is our commitment that no LAFD Firefighter or family member should be alone at a moment of need. Assistance is just a call or text away!

Respectfully,
Your Behavioral Health and Peer Support Teams

BULLETIN 43-23 SUPPORT UFLAC BROTHER BORTEL

August 11, 2023
Bulletin 43 – 23

 

SUPPORT UFLAC BROTHER BORTEL

As some of you may know, UFLAC member Matt Bortel who is an engineer at 35s, has a 2-year old daughter named Remi who is going through chemotherapy treatment for cancer. The unfortunate reality is, far too many of our LAFD families have been directly impacted by cancer in our lives. Time after time, we step up for our brothers and sisters in need. Today, we need to step up for Engineer Bortel and his family.

Please join friends, family, and supporters for this special fundraiser to support Remi and the Bortel family. Here are the details:

Sunday, September 17th 
1230 – 0430
Tarantula Hill Brewing Company
244 Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360

 

To purchase tickets for you and your family to attend – or to contribute to the efforts even if you cannot attend, please visit this link:

https://rise-up-for-remi.ticketleap.com/rise-up-for-remi/

Thank you for your consideration.

In Solidarity,

Executive Board
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

BULLETIN 42-23 MEMBER UPDATE

July 31, 2023
Bulletin 42 – 23

 

JULY GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

We hosted our July General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, July 26th and covered a few important items. We were also joined by our special guest, newly elected LA City Councilmember Imelda Padilla who gave remarks.

Click here to view the brief video message from UFLAC President Freddy Escobar with a recap of the GM meeting.

We encourage all members who have questions or comments about anything related to UFLAC or the LAFD to send them to [email protected].

In Solidarity,

Executive Board
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

BULLETIN 41-23 MEMBER UPDATE

July 21, 2023
Bulletin 41 – 23

 

MEMBER UPDATE

As we have known for several years now, cancer is the number one killer of active duty and retired firefighters. For decades, firefighters assumed that our higher rates of cancer (compared to civilians) was due to the toxic gases and hazardous materials that we are exposed to on a regular basis. Now we know that our turnout gear contains cancer causing PFAS chemicals.

Please take the time to view this important video, Burned: Protecting the Protectors, that documents this fight. UFLAC is working closely with the IAFF to support and advance federal legislation that will ban PFAS in our protective gear. We will keep members updated on new developments.

In Solidarity,

Executive Board
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

BULLETIN 39-23 MEMBER REMINDER

July 19, 2023
Bulletin 3 – 23

 

MEMBER REMINDER

REMINDER: Ballots sent for Board of Deferred Compensation Administration Special Election

Ballots were sent to the homes of all UFLAC members who are active participants in the Deferred Compensation Plan and active members of the LAFPP in order to elect the next Representative to the vacant Board position.

UFLAC has endorsed our brother Tony Gamboa for this critical seat and we strongly encourage all members to return their ballots in support of Tony if you have not done so already.

As the former President of UFLAC, brother Gamboa put in the time to understand the complex issues related to the Deferred Compensation Plan and fought to protect our medical subsidies, defined benefit pension plans, and so much more. He was there for our members and our families and now we need to elect him to serve on the Board of Deferred Compensation where he will protect our members’ interests.

Please return your ballots today and support 35-year UFLAC member Tony Gamboa for this important election.

In Solidarity,

Executive Board
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

BULLETIN 38-23 MEMBER REMINDER

July 17, 2023
Bulletin 38 – 23

 

MEMBER REMINDER

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SEMINAR:
A PRESENTATION BY ONE OF YOUR OWN

In an effort to continue the growth of UFLAC’s Center for Behavioral Health and the Peer Support Teams, the Executive Board would like to recognize one of our own, Firefighter/Paramedic Beau Porter at Fire Station 33, who has stepped up to the challenge of bringing awareness amongst his peers.

Beau Porter has spent the majority of his career at one of the busiest stations in the city. Beau’s dedication to the citizens and his fellow co-workers is well known despite his humble demeanor.

Emphasized during COVID, Beau began to recognize how the demands of our profession began to affect his own mental health in which his family also recognized. In response, Beau researched and studied the stresses put upon us on a daily basis that are largely unrecognized. Beau has since taken this to the next level and created a “rookie drill” about these stresses, how to recognize, and how to maintain a sound mental state even during the horrific scenes that we encounter daily.

Your Executive Board would like to honor Beau’s hard work to selflessly bring this to you, our membership, and invite everyone of you to the Union Hall to be a part of our peer support efforts and understand each element that Beau has experienced and taken head on. Please join us at one of the two Behavioral Health Seminars that will be led by FF/PM Beau Porter and your brothers and sisters in the LAFD.

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SEMINAR BY FF/PM BEAU PORTER

JULY 27TH 0900-1030, OR
JULY 28TH 0900-1030

UFLAC Office
1571 Beverly Blvd.

*Food and drinks will be provided.

We hope that all of our members make the effort to attend one of these sessions in order to learn and pass off the knowledge that has been gained from our peer support programs over the years. We have seen too much tragedy in our profession, and we need to individually take the necessary steps to make a difference instead of relying on others to do the work that is needed.

In Solidarity,

Executive Board
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

BULLETIN 37-23 MEMBER UPDATE

July 17, 2023
Bulletin 37 – 23

 

MEMBER UPDATE

We are continuing our efforts to be as transparent and informative as possible with our members. This month, immediately following the UFLAC Monthly General Membership meeting (Wednesday, July 26 at 0800), we will release a video with an update on what was discussed at the GM meeting and we will also answer questions that have been submitted to the Executive Board.

Please email any questions you have to: [email protected] and we will answer as many as we can in our next video.

In Solidarity,

Executive Board
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City