The July Regular Meeting of Local No. 778 has been rescheduled for July 20th & 21st. There will be no meeting next Monday & Tuesday (July 6th & 7th).

On Saturday, June 27 members of Local 778 participated in the Relay for Life Event benefiting the American Cancer Society.  The Union donated $1500 to the cause on behalf of the membership.  The event brings together more than 3.5 million people across the United States to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones who passed away as a result of the disease, and to fight back against cancer to help raise money for research. In all, there are close to 5,000 Relays that take place across the nation each year.  
During the Relay for Life, teams of eight to 15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags with a goal of keeping one member of the team on the track at all times throughout the event. Relay For Life opens with cancer survivors taking the first lap around the trap. This sets the stage for the importance of each participant's contribution. A festive atmosphere always develops as participants make new friends and spend time with old ones. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the Relay, all with the goal of raising funds for research to eliminate cancer.
 
Local 778 thanks all who took the time to participate in this event.  We participate in honor of our current and former members, along with their families who are dealing with this terrible disease.  

On Monday, June 8, 2009, Battalion Chief Ray Krakowski was appointed Interim Fire Chief by City Manager Mike Flad. The appointment occurred soon after Fire Chief Tracy Pansini was placed on a medical leave of absence.

Chief Krakowski has been with the department since 1980 and has served as a battalion chief and assistant chief for the past fifteen years. Ray was very involved in emergency medicine for the department as a paramedic and eventually as the EMS Coordinator. He also served as the Southern Section President of Cal-Chiefs EMS Section, advancing patient care issues for the State.

Chief Krakowski received his BS Degree from Cal State Los Angeles in Fire Protection Administration. He is also recognized by the State Fire Marshal as a "Certified Chief Officer." For the past few years he was also very involved in coordination with the US Forest Service as a member of a command team assigned to large wildland fires throughout the Western United States.

Ray has been married to Trish for 26 years. They have three grown children. Upon his appointment, Chief Krakowski said, "I feel very fortunate to be a part of such an amazing department and look forward to continuing our legacy of dedication and teamwork."  

The Burbank Fire Fighters raised over $10,000 in their "Fill the Boot" drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association held on May 1st & 2nd. Grant Stephens, the event chairperson, wishes to thank the entire community for their generosity, especially in light of the economy. On and off duty firefighters collected donations on San Fernando Road in front of IKEA, Chevy's, and the California Pizza Kitchen. A big thanks to Grant for organizing the drive.

Firefighters scooped ice cream at Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream on April 21st, from noon to 8:00pm to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The event raised $2,400 for the MDA. Both KCBS and KCAL Channel 9 covered the fundraiser. A special thanks to Steve Yoon, the owner of the Burbank Ben & Jerry's for providing the free ice cream.