President's Message

A view to the future; a look to the past

This month's message is mixed with my appreciation for your confidence as your President for another term, and the loss of three brothers at the Los Angeles Fire Department and Secretary Dallas Jones of the California Professional Firefighters.

While our annual conference was in progress in Reno, I received word that we lost Firefighter Brent A. Lovrien to an explosion on Sepulveda Blvd. near Los Angeles International Airport. In April, we lost Captain Tom Dowling to cancer and Engineer Al Hernandez. Captain Dowling was a past President of the Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association. We are very thankful we did not lose Engineer Anthony Guzman who was seriously injured when Firefighter Lovrien lost his life, and we wish him the best in his recovery.

The words of Los Angeles Fire Department's Fire Chief Ralph J. Scott in April, 1924 seem appropriate and comforting today. He stated the following, in a well published letter to the mother of a young firefighter who lost his life:

There are times when words fail to convey the depths of brotherly feeling, when in this dangerous service of ours, some man is called upon to pay the extreme penalty which this work exacts. There is not a man in the department whose heart does not go out in sympathy to those who are left behind, for not one of us knows that the next alarm of fire may be the last call for him." Although written over 80 years ago, the words of Chief Scott stand true today too.

Thanks to Los Angeles Fire Chief Douglas Barry for his great leadership during these difficult times, and kudos to those who planned and directed the Lovrein funeral. I have received many calls from members and individuals who attended or watched the ceremony on television and thought it was a great tribute to Brent and a symbol of the professionalism of our department. Our hearts go out to the Lovrein, Dowling and Hernandez families.

And more sad news reached us as this magazine was being finalized. Dallas Jones, past Local 1014 President, OES Director and current CPF Secretary passed away on May 10th after a battle with lung cancer. Dallas was a friend of mine, and he was one of the "best of the best" when it came to serving firefighters. He spent his entire career serving the public and firefighters, and he did a wonderful job.

If you have not, please help the financial security of your family by checking on the status of your disability and life insurance, and have a completed CSFA Pre-Plan form at home and work and just check to make sure your family is taken care of by many of the benefits we have available to us. The CSFA Pre-Plan is available on the "Members Only" download section of the CSFA website, or email me at President@CSFA.net and I'll personally email you a copy.

Some good news to report

On a happier note, as you peruse these pages this month, please note the work of our energized committees, most notably, the Committee for Volunteers. Under the leadership of Chair Vern Losh, the committee is finalizing a strategic plan that will guide the committee well into the future.

Elsewhere you will note that the monthly writings of our Director of Communications, Gary Giacomo, have been honored for the second consecutive year by the Western Publications Association in the category of Best Signed Editorial. Join me in congratulating Gary for a job well done.

Stay Safe!

Kevin R. Nida, President
California State Firefighters' Association