Mental Health Services Available For Members

We currently recognize the additional challenges our members are experiencing. UFLAC Local 112 and the Center for Health and Wellness would like to remind you that we are here for you and your family. Many times, reaching out and talking about our challenges helps take the power away from the stressors we experience.

Our goal is to take care of our members and families and ensure for their wellbeing.

Please feel free to reach out if you need to speak with any one of our Behavioral Health Professionals.

Alejandro Zavala, LMFT, CADC II #124981
Director of Behavioral Health Services
Cell: 213-332-0334
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Maribel Contreras, LMFT, Psy.D MFC #46194
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Cell: 213-544-5891
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Lyndee Venosta, M.A., M.S., LMFT, Psy.D #98641
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Clinical Psychologist
Cell:  760-805-4127
Email:  [email protected]

Hugo Catalan Jr., CATC II #2013126
Chemical and Behavioral Addictions Manager
Cell: 213-544-5890
Email: [email protected]

Maria Rendon
Behavioral Health Coordinator
Cell: 213-598-3705
Email: [email protected]

UFLAC Behavioral Health Center
14123 Nordhoff St. Arleta, CA 91331
Office: 747-200-6266

UFLAC Peer Support
Peer Support Home – United Fire Fighters Of Los Angeles City (uflac.org)

Bulletin 24-21 UFLAC CONTINUES TO MEET AND CONFER WITH CITY OVER VACCINE MANDATE

August 25, 2021

Bulletin 24-21

UFLAC Continues to Meet and Confer with City over Vaccine Mandate

Local 112 Members,

On Tuesday, August 24, the UFLAC Negotiating Committee had an official meet and confer with designated LA City negotiators to address the recently passed LA City Ordinance regarding a vaccine mandate.

At this meeting, UFLAC President Freddy Escobar, 1st Vice President Chuong Ho, Treasurer Domingo Albarran, Secretary Adam Walker, and our attorney Dana Martinez continued to express our position that whereas UFLAC supports vaccination, we DO NOT support a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy. A decision to get a vaccine should not be a condition of employment that could lead to penalties including, but not limited to, termination, for LAFD firefighters. No decision was reached.

We are in the process of scheduling another meet and confer in the next couple of weeks.

UFLAC will keep you posted on our progress, and we want for all of our members to know that we are fighting on your behalf every single day.

In Solidarity,
Freddy Escobar
President
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City

CPF Town Hall About Vaccine Mandates 8/20/21

COVID-19 Vaccine Updates and Mandate Information Town Hall

Many of our members have questions concerning the COVID-19 Mandate.  Please register for the CPF Town Hall meeting for the latest information from around the state.

As the Delta Variant of the COVID-19 virus takes hold and infection rates rise, local governments and private industries are beginning to make decisions on COVID-19 vaccine mandates. CPF has been closely monitoring these developments and will be hosting a town hall for members to discuss the developments and answer questions.

Join us on Friday, August 20th at 10am for a town hall with medical and legal experts discussing the Delta Variant, COVID-19 vaccines, and the legality of mandates.

Date: August 20th

Time: 10am

Where: Zoom

RSVP here today, families are invited to join as well. If you would like to submit questions ahead of time please send your questions to [email protected].

2021 Awards for UFLAC Fire Foundation Grants and Scholarships

Bulletin 20-21

July 26, 2021

2021 AWARDS FOR 2021

United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Fire Foundation

Grants and Scholarships

The United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Fire Foundation (UFLACFF) Grant and Scholarship Program provides educational assistance to fire service members and their immediate families.  In May of 2021, notices were sent out to firefighters via bulletins and email.  Twenty-one applications were received at the conclusion of the one-month application period.  The applications were reviewed, and all identifying information of the applicants was “REDACTED” prior to being sent and reviewed by the Foundation Board to ensure anonymity.  The Grants were funded by voluntary donations from the community; a member of the community participated in the initial review of the awards.  Awards granted were based on the information provided by the candidates.  Since the selection criteria were broad in scope, consideration was given for applicants in non-traditional scholarship grant programs.  The donors to the program wanted to reach out to those who just needed a “hand-up” or “support” to improve their lives and the lives of others.  The initial announcement of the $10,000 award was increased to $1,500 by The Greenspan Company/Adjusters International based on the application’s sincerity and need.

Awards included grants for higher education, trade school, tools for welding school, home school support (especially with COVID challenges), comitology school, etc.     The UFLACFF grants and scholarships awards mid-year 2021:

Two – $2,000 grants/scholarship

Matt David Pritchard – son Long Beach FD

Taylor Escobar – daughter LAFD

Four –  $1,000 grants/scholarships

Serena Nettles – step daughter LAFD

Lael G Williams – daughter LAFD

Carrie J Kehoe – daughter LAFD

Antonia S Felix – daughter LAFD

SEVEN (increased by three) – $500 grants/scholarships

Payton Springer – daughter LAFD

Maverick Teter – son LAFD (home school program)

Francesca M Lauro – daughter LAFD

Rebecca Lee – daughter LAFD

Austin D Ladd – son LAFD

Kylie D Elizarras – daughter LAFD

Tatiana A Johnson – daughter LAFD

 

 

 

Congratulations to the recipients of the awards, and special thanks to all those who applied for the awards to the program.  The Foundation has received enough funds for an additional round of grants later this year.   Applicant must be an active firefighter, or a dependent of an active firefighter, wishing to further their education, or in need of assistance with tuition, books, materials, trade-specific tools or equipment, internet access, etc.

*An active firefighter or his or her immediate family member is eligible for an Award Grant once every 12-month period.

Special thank you to the Foundation Board and the main Education Grant sponsors & our supporters!

 

Major Sponsors:

 

  • Matthew and Miho Blumkin – The Blumkin Family Foundation
  • Ed Avaness – Miller Kaplan
  • Jennifer Lincicum – Fickewirth
  • Aaron Straussner & Julie Sherman
  • UFLAC Fire Foundation
  • Brian and Mary Anne Hishinuma – Retired – LAFD

 

Supporters:

Jimmy Blackman & Associates

Sandra Jackson – Greenspan Co./Adjusters International

Maria Riggs – UFLAC

Chris Wann – UFLAC

UFLAC Executive Board

 

The reward for the sponsors is the rewards presented.  Thanks for your participation!

 

ALS Awareness Month

Bulletin 12-21

April 30, 2021

UFLAC, LAFD, and Stevens Nation Join Forces to Support ALS Awareness

(Click HERE to order your ALS Awareness T-Shirt)

UFLAC, LAFD, and Stevens Nation have joined forces to promote and support ALS Awareness during the month of May. As you know, we recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and participate in “Movember” during “No Shave November” to bring awareness to men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Now it is time to raise awareness for all those diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), including one of our own Firefighters, Eric Stevens.

Eric was recently diagnosed with ALS a month after getting married. His hope is to shed light on this underfunded disease, start a dialogue, and motivate people in power to make changes that allow terminally ill patients to have access to treatments that are still in trials but are proven to be safe. Stevens Nation is advocating for patients who don’t have a year or two to wait for treatment to have access to this medical care that might drastically reduce their suffering. For more information, please visit https://stevensnation.com and follow #AxeALS and #PushForTreatment on social media.

The primary goal of the LAFD and UFLAC’s involvement in ALS Month is to support those personally affected by ALS and to reach thousands of people with the message that individuals suffering from ALS are in a race against time for life-saving treatment to be approved by the FDA.

All members are authorized during the month of May to wear the newly designed ALS/LAFD T-Shirt while on duty to support ALS Awareness. By this very public display of wearing red T-Shirts, LAFD Firefighters and Paramedics can help to raise public awareness and speed up the approval of treatment options for this devastating disease. We encourage all members to wear your Axe ALS t-shirt from last year or purchase a new one from Stevens Nation.

ALS Facts to Consider:

  • ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gherig’s disease, is a rare neurological disease involving the neurons, which control voluntary muscle movement such as chewing, walking, talking, and breathing.
  • As ALS progresses, the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord degenerate and die, and as a result, the brain can no longer control voluntary movement. Eventually, the muscles weaken and waste away.
  • In most cases, ALS is a rapidly progressing disease, however, it progresses at different rates for different people. Most people with ALS will live for 2 to 5 years after first experiencing symptoms.
  • The exact cause of ALS is unknown and there is currently no cure.
  • There are treatments that have been proven to help stop or slow the progression of the disease, however, they are not approved by the FDA.

Thank you for your support!

UFLAC Executive Board

Excess Sick Time will be Paid out 1-27-20

Bulletin 47-20

December 30, 2020

Excess Sick Time Cash-Out will be Paid 1-27-20

 

We have been notified by the City Administrative Officer (CAO) that the annual excess sick time cash-out for all sworn members scheduled to be paid on the January 13, 2021 pay check will instead be paid the following pay period (January 27, 2021).

Any member that has arranged a one-time Deferred Compensation contribution to coincide with the cash-out has until tomorrow, December 31, 2020, to modify the contribution, if desired.

 

UFLAC & LAFD Join Forces to Support Movember

Bulletin 38-20

October 13, 2020

UFLAC & LAFD Join Forces to Support Movember

(Raising Awareness for Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer, Mental Health, and Suicide Prevention )

UFLAC and the LAFD will join forces to promote and support Movember during the month of November.  October was the month for women to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research. Now it is time for men to step into the spotlight for Movember.

This month men around the United States and the globe are trying to raise awareness about prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.

The primary goal of LAFD and UFLAC’s involvement in Movember is to support those personally effected by cancer and to reach thousands of people with the lifesaving message that cancer prevention and early detection can mean the difference between life and death.

All members are authorized in the month of November to wear the newly designed Movember LAFD shirt while on duty to support Mens Health Awareness.  By this very public display, LAFD firefighters and paramedics can help to raise public awareness of these devastating health issues. We hope as many of you as possible will wear them.

Prostate Cancer Facts to Consider:

  • 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
  • Early detection is the key and can mean the difference between life and death.

Testicular Cancer Facts to Consider:

  • Testicular Cancer starts young. It’s the most common cancer in young American men.
  • Testicular Cancer has 95 percent survival rate but 1 in 20 meant doesn’t make it.

Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Facts to Consider:

  • Globally, on average 1 man dies of suicide ever minute of every day.
  • Improving Mental Health and establishing better social connections can reduce the risk of suicide.

Members can purchase their t-shirts at www.fdthreadz.com/movember for $25.00 until October 20th.

 

UFLAC Executive Board

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Behavioral Health Message

May 18, 2020

Bulletin 22-20

 

Behavioral Health Message

 

To Our LAFD Members:

As you all know, LAFD personnel responded to a structure fire in the Downtown area Saturday night and as a result, 11 Firefighters experienced injuries and were hospitalized. Three of those were critical, but thankfully not life-threatening. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of our Firefighters and their families during this difficult time.

Your Peer Support Team, your UFLAC mental health professional, as well as your two LAFD Psychologists want you to know that we are all here for you if you need us. We are just a phone call away.

Contact:
Dr. Steve Froehlich, MFT
UFLAC Director of Behavioral Health
Peer Support Team Point of Contact
Cell: 818-645-9027

Maria Rendon
UFLAC Peer Support Team Point of Contact
Cell: 213-598-3705

Dr. Krystle Madrid
LAFD Fire Psychologist
LAFD Behavioral Health Program
Cell: 213-718-0798

Dr. Audrey Martinez
LAFD Fire Psychologist
LAFD Behavioral Health Program
Cell: 213-435-3996
Office: 323-276-7166

 

Peer Support Webinar – Continuing the Conversation

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May 13, 2020

Bulletin 21-20

Continuing the Conversation: A Message to Our Fire Families

 

To our members and our families:

As many of you know, UFLAC and the LAFD jointly conducted the very first Family Webinar on April 14, 2020. Together, the Union President and the Fire Chief began this conversation. There was a panel of Peer Supporters, a well-qualified and vetted nurse, as well as Dr. Steve to discuss the physical and behavioral health aspects of the COVID-19 environment that we are all being impacted by at the present time.

We understand that our Firefighters are on the front lines of this worldwide pandemic. A unique feature of this crisis is that it not only impacts our Firefighters, but also our families at home. We wanted to make sure that we were addressing our families to provide important information and to offer an opportunity to ask questions directly to our leaders and subject matter experts.

Based upon the feedback that we have been receiving, we realize that we need to continue the conversation. Not just about the COVID-19 situation, but we also need to open the dialogue with our loved ones regarding the subjects that are on the minds of our family members. We would like your input and suggestions for topics that we can address in future webinars.

Please look at the list below and submit your top 3 selections to Maria Rendon at [email protected] or use form below.

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Thank you again for your participation and we look forward to continuing the conversation.

Take Care,

Your Peer Support Team