Burbank Firefighters Local 778 join the California Professional Firefighters in endorsing Attorney General Jerry Brown for Governor.  C.P.F. interviewed all the major Democratic and Republican candidates and the choice was clear for firefighters and their families - Jerry Brown! The Attorney General's grasp of issues, his experience in dealing with complex governmental problems, and his ability to bring divergent views to consensus all contributed to his garnering the firefighters' endorsement. In his previous term as Governor, Jerry Brown was extremely progressive, while maintaining a frugal mindset. "Hopefully, the voters of California will have the opportunity to evaluate the candidates in debates, not just being exposed to endless political commercials and soundbites. Californians deserve to have the two candidates exchange their views without filters and 'handlers' interpretting their respective messages. Only in a face-to-face debate will the voters be able to separate fact from fiction," said Lew Stone, President of Local No. 778.

Pictured above (left to right): Secretary/Treasurer Travont White, President Lew Stone, Attorney General Jerry Brown, and Vice President Mike McDonald. They met with the candidate at the recent 2010 California Professional Firefighters Convention in San Diego.

Become a Burbank Firefighter 

Burbank Firefighter Recruitment opens July 5th and closes August 27th

All information regarding the recruitment/testing process will be available online beginning July 5^th at  www.ci.burbank.ca.us/ (online application).  For more information contact the City of Burbank Human Resources Department.  

Over three days, the Burbank Fire Fighters raised over $21,000 in the annual MDA "Fill the Boot" event. Firefighters accepted donations in front of partnering businesses- Lowe's, IKEA, Target and Pavillions. On May 1st, 2nd and 3rd, firefighters stood in front of the businesses holding boots to collect a variety of donations for this most-worthy cause. The Muscular Dystrophy Association is dedicated to reseaching cures and treatment for muscular dystrophy and other diseases that affect the neuro-muscular system of the body, such as Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS). They also provide assistance for those stricken by the disease. The International Association of Fire Fighters is the largest corporate sponsor of MDA, donating over $28 Millon last year. Each year, firefighter unions across the United States and Canada present checks to MDA at the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. Look for the Burbank Fire Fighters to be making a televised donation over the Labor Day Weekend.

The Burbank Firefighters thank the community for their generosity and support of the event. Additional business partners were Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, Outback Steakhouse, California Pizza Kitchen, IKEA, Burbank Towne Management Center, Panda Express, Sharky's, Chevy's Fresh Mex, Olive Garden, the Burbank Empire Center, and the Burbank Chamber of Commerce.

 Burbank Firefighters Scoop Ice Cream at Ben & Jerry's to Raise Money For The Muscular Dystrophy Association

On March 23rd, Ben & Jerry's had its annual free scoop day.  Patrons could come in and get a free scoop of ice cream with the option to give a donation to charity.  By committing to supply ice cream scoopers for the day, Burbank Firefighters were able to accept donations for the charity of their choice, The Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Firefighters scooped from noon until 8:00 p.m.  to raise money for the M.D.A.  Through their efforts, Burbank Firefighters raised over $1,400 for Jerry's Kids.

A special thank you to Ben & Jerry's for their generous contributions 

MAYOR BRIC BECOMES A FIREFIGHTER

Well.... at least for a few hours. On a cool Friday morning Burbank's Mayor, Gary Bric, put on firefighting gear and participated  in training drills designed to sharpen the skills of firefighters. Mayor Bric was part of four-person engine company to start the morning. He was assigned to a company that took a hoseline up a staircase, extinguished a mock fire, found an unconscious victim in heavy smoke and assisted in the victim's rescue.

Burbank Fire Department Firefighter Grant Stephens and Engineer Cameron Cerwin organized the day's schedule and accounted for the Mayor's safety during the scenarios. As the Mayor was using equipment that he was unfamiliar with, it was very important to make sure Mr. Bric was safe at all times. The mayor used the same gear that all firefighters wear when entering a building to fight a fire, including a mask and "self-contained breathing apparatus."

The Mayor then assisted with an emergency medical response. On arrival at the scene, he observed an engine company and a rescue ambulance provide life-saving procedures to a man found in "full cardiac arrest." Fire Captain Mike McDonald explained what was going on as the Mayor observed four firefighter EMT's and two firefighter paramedics treat the patient with drugs, CPR, and defibrillation to restart the person's heart prior to transporting the patient to the closest emergency room equipped to deal with cardiac emergencies.

Then came another fire in a two-story apartment. With the staffing on the engine company reduced to three persons, Mayor Bric found himself to be the only firefighter on the rig, along with an Engineer and Captain. The mayor quickly learned that every aspect of the firefight became harder and took more time. With the fire eventually put out and the victim rescued, Mayor Bric confessed that the firefighters "can keep their job." 

The mayor already had a high level of respect for what Burbank's firefighters do on a daily basis, but having the opportunity to participate "first-hand" gave him the rare insider's view. The firefighters in attendance we both impressed and thankful for the Mayor's taking time away from his busy schedule.

Peter Mursurlian, the City of Burbank Public Information Officer, filmed the day's events for the March episode of "Mayor on the Street." Look for the segment to appear on this website in the near future.

TO VIEW THE "MAYOR ON THE STREET" EPISODE, CLICK: http://www.burbankusa.com/index.aspx?page=91

Pictures from left to right/top to bottom:

Photos 1 & 2:  Mayor Bric and Captain Stone discuss the Fire/Rescue scenario

Photo 3:  Mayor Bric pulls an 1 3/4 inch hose line to the front door of the simulated apartment fire

Photo 4:  Mayor Bric dons a face piece in order to "go on air" before entering the smoke filled apartment

Photo 5:  Mayor Bric attempts to drag out a victim from the second floor while the other firefighter holds the fire in check

Photo 6:  Mayor Bric catches his breath when he is done with the evolution