Mainline - San Francisco Firefighters Local 798

Special Budget Issue

2011

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MainLine
SAN FRANCISCO FIREFIGHTERS
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March/April
2011
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We Are One Rally
April 4, 2011
The Inside Box: 5625
3212 Mission Street April 6, 2011
Cover photography by: Aaron Reeves
mraaronreeves@gmail.com

Main LIne
april 2011
Executive Board
President
THomas O’connor
Vice President
Danny Gracia
Secretary
Jim Vannucchi
Treasurer
Shon Buford
Directors
Stephen Giacalone
Floyd Rollins II
Michael A Walsh
Kathy Gilbraith
Tony Rivera
Design editor
Adele White
Deadline for June Main Line submissions:
May 25, 2011
Contents
Letter From the President
Letter From the Vice-president
Letter From Stephen Giacalone
Carolyn Champagne
Budget
Unions and Their Strength
The Rose
The Vannucchi Papers
Station Stewards
2011 Softball Schedule
Progressive Pension Reform
Letter from Kathy Gilbraith
69
10
13
14-17
20
21
22
24
32
34
36

Letter From the President
As we enter into spring, we find the
SFFD facing a similar set of crossroads…
namely pension reform and the budget
crisis. Both remain the focal point of our
efforts, and no easy or clean resolution
seems apparent for either. Rest assured,
though, that your Union is working furiously
to ease the burden of both of these
issues on our workforce.
Pension Reform
San Francisco now has a new rite of
spring…Jeff Adachi submitting pension
reform ballot measures to the Department
of Elections. Apparently his winter
hibernation period was quite productive,
because this year Jeff Adachi has submitted
FIVE pension reform measures. Each
measure is more and more draconian
than last year’s Prop B, with one attacking
active employees, future employees
AND retirees. One measure would require
City employees to contribute nearly
23% of their paycheck to the general fund
to make up for the pension shortfall. The
general thrust of Jeff’s efforts seem to be
to once again blame the collapse of the
stock market on public employees.
Simultaneous to Adachi’s efforts, the
“Hellman Group”, consisting of Police,
Fire, SEIU, Attorneys, Executives, Plumbers
and Local 21 continue to work on finding
real solutions to the pension issue. As
of deadline for this magazine, the Hellman
group was about to roll out a proposal
that addresses the pension shortfall
in a meaningful manner, without gouging
City workers.
“
Letter From the
President
The meet and confer process has also
started with City Hall over pension reform,
but most of the ideas they have presented
have been similar to the Hellman
group. The deadline to submit a measure
to the Board of Supervisors is May 24 th .
If everything works out correctly, there
should be a “consensus ballot measure”
supported by the Mayor, labor unions
and the Board of Supervisors.
I believe only one person won’t agree
with the “consensus”…maybe we should
Jeff Adachi a ticket to Wisconsin. He
would fit in quite well there…
City Budget
As of our deadline, the Mayor’s office had
lowered the deficit projections but was
still requesting that all department’s continue
to submit 10% reduction plans AND
an additional 10% in contingency cuts.
Although the deficit has been reduced to
$305 million, the one time “tricks” and
quick fixes of the past are gone.
The SFFD still seems protected by Prop. F,
The Neighborhood Firehouse Protection
Act, but politicians are probing for savings.
Amazingly enough, our old “nemesis”
Supervisor John Avalos recently
stated that we need to find real budget
solutions “without closing firehouses.”
Remarkable…
Local 798 is still working on finding a
manner in which to collect EMS revenues
from private ambulance companies as
well as point out other efficiencies to be
found in the City budget. Two big items
stand out. One is the “12-B Compliance”
The general thrust of Jeff’s effo
blame the collapse of the stock m
Tom O’Connor
rule which mandates that the City of San
Francisco only purchase goods from vendors
that allegedly follow a series of social
policies. Vendors must recognize domestic
partners, provide health care, not
conduct business with Burma, etc. The
requirements are so burdensome that
only a handful of companies can match
these requirements…usually companies
that have few employees and simply act
as a “middleman” in the purchase of
goods. For example, Home Depot does
not match the criteria necessary to sell
goods to San Francisco. So someone sets
up a “shell” company that is “12 B” compliant,
then purchases goods from Home
Depot and sells them to San Francisco at
2-4 times the price.
While this “12-B” policy is noble in its
intent to advance social causes, the unanticipated
affect is that social services
get cut in San Francisco…the very same
social services mentioned in the “12-B”
policy! Currently a workgroup is trying
to highlight these issues to City Hall, to
little affect though. The policy should be
highlighted again once the budget cycle
heats up.
The other big ticket item in the budget is
Enterprise Funds. Certain departments
are considered Enterprise Funds, the airport,
the Port, the PUC, etc. The funding
for these and other departments are considered
legally untouchable by City Hall
since these agencies oversee “monopolies”
and charge a fee to those that use
their services. Makes sense on its’ face,
government shouldn’t extort fees when it
controls a resource.
6 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

ts seem to be to once again
arket on public employees.
“
Last year though, when all City unions agreed
to 4.62% in wage concessions, not all of that
money went back to the general fund. If you
worked for an Enterprise department, your
wage cut went right back into your department’s
budget. In fact, nearly $50 million
went from employee paychecks back into
the budget of the Airport, The Port, The PUC
and other departments. So while employees
took a pay cut, the budget of certain departments
went up…by nearly 5%! Currently
lawyers for the Public Employee Coalition
are working with City Attorney Dennis Herrera
to see if these monies can be returned
back to the General Fund. Fifty million dollars
would go along way in this budgetary
environment.
Going Forward
While the above-mentioned issues are not
the only ones we face, they are the biggest
and baddest…and will affect your paycheck
the most. Your union will continue to update
you on our progress in these matters. Look
to our website, www.sffdlocal798.org, for
more timely information.
Celebrating 30 years of divine intervention
Please join us for a 60th birthday luncheon in honor of
Father Greene
Wednesday, June 22
Patio Espanol ~ Resturant, 415-587-5117
2850 Alemany Blvd, San Francisco
Doors open at 11:00, Lunch at 12:00
RSVP by sending a check for $40.00 payable to:
“Local 798, Father Greene’s Birthday” along with your food choice
New York Steak, Paella Valenciana or Vegetarian
1139 Mission St. San Francisco,CA 94103.
Please RSVP by June 10th.
For more information: Keith Onishi, 415-608-4546
The entire board of Local 798 continues to
work on all of the issues that impact your
work life; safety, training, grant funding,
promotions, apparatus, cancer prevention,
etc. Each one of the board members that
you elected have been hard at work since
our last Union meeting and look forward to
hearing from you for advice, concerns and
direction. Rest assured that we will be making
decisions going forward that affect all of
us and we want continual feedback. Come
out to a Union meeting, send us an email or
just stop by our offices.
Be well and stay safe…
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 7

8 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

The Inside Box: 5236
66 Rondell Street August 14, 2010
Photographs Courtesy of Steven Luo & Nolan Hicks
www.californiabeat.org
Letter From the
Director
Danny Gracia
I write this correspondence to you after returning from SF General Hospital
to visit Brother Stan Lee of Rescue 2. Stan has been there for about 20 hours
now after being injured fighting a stubborn 3 rd Alarm on 29 th & Mission. I am
currently wondering if Jeff Adachi or any investment bankers, Wall Street brokers
or anti-labor politicians have ever paid a visit to a co-worker in the hospital
for a job-related injury or a funeral for a line of duty death. I am relatively
certain that they have not.
The fact of the matter is we are paid a salary and benefit package that is worth
every penny to the City and County of San Francisco, the citizens and visitors
we serve. We are the best deal in town. I am sick and tired of hearing
about how we are over-paid and under- worked, and how our pensions are
the problem. Now is the time for citizens of this City and country to stop villanizing
police officers, firefighters, teachers and working people and to start
looking at CEOs, the top 2% earners, and the actual individuals who caused
this recession.
Last month some of the 798 Board members were back in Washington DC to
attend the IAFF Legislative Conference. While listening to both state and national
elected officials, I became aware of how effective a campaign the rich
folks have run against labor/workers in this past year. People in this country
are now blaming workers for the economic downturn and their misfortune.
It’s a dynamic that to me is straight up un-American! I’ve used this Abe Lincoln
quote before and I’m ‘gonna use it again because to me it is exactly what
we are dealing with right now: “…You don’t make a weak man strong by making
a strong man weak” – that is the message that we need to send. People
are jealous, angry and some are just plain “haters” with regard to what we
get to do our jobs. My response to them is this:--we get paid to take chances,
to risk our lives, to possibly lose our lives, to shorten our lives with injury and
exposure, and to be away from our families -- and that is why we get what we
get – the recession is not the fault of ours or other workers in the US.
Anyway, sorry for the rant. Hope all is well with you and yours. Enjoy the
spring and all the snow if you can. Hope to see you at our upcoming events,
softball, BBQs, etc. You can count on this Board doing the best possible job
for all members with regard to wages, benefits, working conditions, pensions
and discipline.
Keep the faith, Stay Safe,
D.G.
**Stan – Get well soon,’ lemme know if you come across any public defenders
or bankers with a paper cut or blister in the hospital with you.
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 9

From the Directors
Letter From the director
Stephen Giacalone
Brothers and Sisters,
It’s springtime! The sun is shining, the
flowers are starting to bloom and our
nemesis chief public defender Jeff Adachi
is at it again! So…on that note…
PENSION & BUDGET
As everyone is aware, “pension reform”
has become the new buzz word, not just
here in the City but nationwide. The general
public, the private sector employers
and employees and especially politicians
are having a great time scapegoating and
demonizing public sector employees and
labor unions as the cause for the financial
woes of their cities, states and the country.
We all know the efforts of the governor
and legislature of the State of Wisconsin
to “break” the union and be advised,
these efforts are being discussed in states
such as Ohio, Michigan and others.
It is unfortunate that these people either
do not realize or for that matter care, that
many of the protections (i.e., OSHA) and
benefits (40 hour workweek, minimum
wage, healthcare, etc.) that ALL workers
enjoy were and are through the hard work
and sacrifices of organized labor. Now,
that said, the sentiment in the general
public is, “you have, I don’t, so screw you!
It’s YOUR fault that I am in this situation!”
Those feelings are going to be difficult to
overcome. It is in this vein that we have
been working with The Hellman Group
since last November to come up with a
sensible and reasonable solution to this
“pension” issue. It is no secret that Jeff
Adachi has submitted his “proposals” to
the Department of Elections. That’s easy
for him; no matter what he says, he is going
to sound like a fiscal savior/guru. We,
on the other hand, are more pragmatic.
Assuring that our retirement benefits are
maintained while still assisting the City is
the goal.
The City has been relatively quiet on matters
of the budget. The projected deficit
is still in the $360 million range.
Just FYI, the Board of Supervisors voted
to pull money from the $25 million reserve
and put $1.3 million in the election
fund. Also, Supervisor Avalos wants to
repeal the non-resident admission fee
to the Strybing Arboretum which generated
$356k in less than a full year, and use
general fund money! So, you can see the
mentality we face! More to follow on the
budget.
EMS
Congratulations to the 12 brand-new H3
Level I EMTs who have joined our ranks.
And congratulations to the 18 new Level
II paramedics who have moved up from
within! The legislative process for the
“Exclusive Operating Area (EOA)” is moving
along, albeit slowly. Also, be advised,
any H3 – Level III with outstanding or
open First Responder PCRs in HRMS need
to be completed! These are to be completed
for every medical call and completed
before the end of your watch. This
helps generate revenue and justifies continued
staffing of ALS engine companies!
CAROLYN CHAMPAGNE
There are additional articles in this issue
about the untimely passing of Carolyn, so
I won’t be too long winded. Carolyn was
a tremendous asset to this Department
and to the many members she helped!
She was a friend to many people and her
presence and personality will surely be
missed! An account has been created at
the credit union for her two daughters, so
please think about helping out!
CONCLUSION
Remember to attend Union meetings and
check out the website for information on
upcoming events. And as always, we are
available to answer any questions members
may have.
Take care and be safe.
Stephen Giacalone
California Theatre August 2, 1936
10 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 11

Ocean Beach Sept 25, 2010
Photograph Courtesy of:Nicholas Meyers
12 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org
Camp Blaze 2011, a weeklong residential fire camp for young
women ages 16-19 years, takes place this summer in North
Bend, WA (near Seattle) from July 30 th -August 6 th , 2011. Applications
are available on our website www.campblaze.com
and are due April 15 th , 2011. This is a free camp and a great
opportunity for any young woman interested in the fire service
or an opportunity to challenge herself.
The name is both symbolic of our desire to “blaze a trail for
future young women” and an acronym representing the focus
on Bravery, Leadership, Attitude, Zenith and Empowerment.
Camp Blaze incorporates classes, hands-on activities
and physical training which include: team building and leadership
exercises; rappelling; an aerial ladder climb; the use of
firefighting equipment; search and rescue; live fire training
and CPR certification. Although it is a demanding week, it is
not intended to feel like recruit school but be a fun rigorous
camp that also includes camp activities such as skit night,
movie night and a ride on the fireboat!
We are also looking for women firefighters to volunteers as
counselors for the week. It is a great opportunity to mentor
the next generation and re-energize your own love of the
job. It is a week campers and crew leaders never forget!
Find out more at www.campblaze.com and email us at zenith@campblaze.com
or call Lt. Karen Kerr at St. 25 (SFFD).

The Inside Box: 5236 66 Rondell Street August 14, 2010 Photography By: Grant Lindsay
Carolyn Champagne
June 7, 1970 - March 18, 2011
7, 1970 at Kaiser Hospital on Geary Street. She was delivered
premature and weighed only 4 lbs at birth. Her mother has
said that Carolyn was so impatient, she came into the world
early, but unfortunately left this world far too early.
Carolyn attended Our Lady of the Visitation from 1st through
8th grades and then went on to high school at Immaculate
Conception Academy, graduating in 1988.
On Friday, March 18, I learned of the sudden passing of
Carolyn Champagne, a dear friend and co-worker. Like everyone
else, I was shocked and saddened to hear of Carolyn’s death.
I still find it difficult to comprehend that someone as full of life
as Carolyn, could really have lost her own life.
Carolyn was a small lady with a large personality, a person
everyone knew and liked. Working at SFFD Headquarters, I
could count on her cheerful greeting each morning, sharing
a laugh and a smile, or maybe a story, usually about her
girls. Carolyn was a proud mother, and worked hard to provide
for her children. As soon as you met Carolyn, you immediately
recognized that she was genuine, kind, helpful and obviously
an energetic person. As someone who worked with her every
day, I knew I could count on Carolyn to be a team player, always
upbeat and friendly. We all appreciated her enthusiasm,
professionalism, and zest for life.
I want people to know that Carolyn was proud to be an
employee of the San Francisco Fire Department, and proud to
be a San Francisco native. She was born at 4:38 pm on June
She worked at Safeway on 30th and Mission from November 4,
1987 through June 18, 1999, when she began her career with
SFFD, serving as a senior payroll and personnel clerk.
Carolyn passed away on March 18, 2011, from complications of
peritonitis.
She leaves behind two beautiful, young daughters, Adrianna
and Gabriella, ages 13 and 8.
As an employee of the SFFD, I know I am not the only person
who can say I could depend on Carolyn to help whenever I
needed her assistance. Everyone in the Department knew and
liked Carolyn, and we have all benefited from her assistance at
some point in our careers. For that reason, I ask that Carolyn’s
generosity and kindness be reciprocated, and that we all step up
to help Carolyn’s daughters. We have lost a friend and coworker,
but two young girls have suffered the loss of the most important
person in their lives. Please honor Carolyn and contribute to
the fund that has been created for her daughters. Let’s do what
we can to ensure that Adrianna and Gabriella are afforded the
opportunities their mother worked so hard to provide for them.
An account has been established for Carolyn’s daughters and is
being administered by her sister, Kristina Champagne Clingman.
The account is through the San Francisco Fire Credit Union
(SFFCU), account number 126267. Funds may be transferred
from an existing SFFCU account or checks can be made payable
to Kristina Clingman and sent to the SFFCU, 3201 California
Street, San Francisco, CA 94118.
Lt. Rob Neuneker, Assignment Office
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 13

Budget Facts in Regard to the San Francisco Fire Department
The following pages demonstrate the economic efficiencies and effectiveness demonstrated by
the SFFD over the time periods identified.
San Francisco Fire Department
Decrease in Staffing of Fire Suppression Units since 1960
&
Increase in the Number of Emergency Incidents
1960 2010 Change %
Total Personnel on Duty 1 : 514 284 -230 -45%
2 Active Firehouses: 48 41 -7 -15%
Division & Battalion Chief Districts: 14 11 -3 -21%
2 Engine Companies: 48 41 -7 -15%
2 Truck Companies: 20 18 -2 -10%
Rescue Companies: 2 2 - -
3
Special Units: 26 1 -25 -96%
Total Emergency Incidents: 14,870 105,000 90,130 +606%
Notes:
1
In addition to staffing cuts to the various types of firefighting units (as shown in the adjacent
photo), there have been numerous firehouse closures and the disbanding of fire companies.
For purpose of comparison, firefighting units on Treasure Island and at the Presidio are
excluded, as these geographic districts were not protected by the SFFD until recently. Also,
staff assigned to units at SFO Airport are not included in the figures (these are operated
under service provider agreements and do not require General Fund funding support.
Included in the above figures for 1960 are uniformed personnel assigned to three water
tower units (4 FF), two searchlight wagons (2 FF) and a fuel wagon (1 FF). Excluded are
uniformed and civilian personnel assigned to various support units (i.e., Arson Squad,
Bureau of Equipment, and AWSS Pump Stations 1 & 2). As well, paramedic personnel not
cross-trained as firefighters that do not staff fire suppression units are excluded (i.e. those
assigned to ambulances).
2
Closed firehouses include:
• 460 Bush Street (Downtown) - old Engine 2
• 909 Tennessee Street (Mission Bay / Potrero Hill) - old Engine 16 & Battalion 11
• 1300 Fourth Street (SOMA / Mission Bay) - old Engine 30
• 356 Seventh Street (SOMA) - old Engine 6 & Salvage 2
• 1648 Pacific Avenue - old Engine 4
• 416-18 Jessie Street (SOMA) - old Engine 17, Truck 1 & Rescue 1
• Foot of Harrison Street (SOMA) - old Engine 9 (quartered with fireboat)
2
Disbanded engine & truck companies include:
• Engine companies (old numbering): 2, 4, 9, 12, 16, 27 & 30
• Truck companies: 4 & 20
3
Includes only those special units that had uniformed personnel assigned: In 1960 there were 13
tank wagons, 8 hose tenders, 4 salvage companies, 3 water towers (WT No. 1 staffed with 2
personnel), 2 searchlight wagons, 1 fuel wagon and 1 mobile air unit (service squad). In 2010,
only single special unit remains staffed (service squad / mobile air unit).
14 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

Change in the Number of SFFD Personnel On-Duty since 1960
Fire Suppression Unit
No. of
Units
1960 2010
Unit Total No. of Unit
Staffing Staffing Units Staffing
Total
Staffing
CHANGE
%
Chg.
Division Chief 3 1 + 1 6 2 1 + 1 4 -2 - 33%
5 1 + 1
Battalion Chief 11 1 + 1 22
14 -8 - 36%
4 1 + 0
Downtown 22 1 + 5
Engine
262 41 1 + 3 164 -98 -37%
Outlying 26 1 + 4
Truck 20 1 + 6 140 18 1 + 4 90 -50 -36%
Rescue 2 1 + 4 10 2 1 + 3 8 -2 -20%
Mobile Air 1 0 + 1 1 1 0 + 1 1 No Change -
Tank Wagon 13 0 + 2 26 0 - - -26 -100%
Hose Tender 8 0 + 2 16 0 - - -16 -100%
Salvage 4 0 + 4 16 0 - - -16 -100%
Water Tower 3 0 + 1 4 0 - - -4 -100%
Searchlight Wagon 2 0 + 1 2 0 - - -2 -100%
Fuel Unit 1 0 + 1 1 0 - - 1 -100%
Marine 1 0 + 2 2 0 + 2
Fireboat
8
3 -5 -63%
Firefighters 1 1 + 5
1 1 + 0
Total On-Duty: 514 284 -230 -45%
Notes:
• For the purpose of comparison SFFD units on Treasure Island and at the Presidio are excluded from the above figures, as these districts were not
protected by the SFFD in 1960. The units at SFO Airport are also excluded, as these are operated under a service provider agreement with SFO
and have no impact on the Department’s budget (i.e. not funded from the City’s General Fund)
• In 1960 all engine companies quartered east of Divisadero and north of Cesar Chavez were staffed with 1 officer plus 5 firefighters (1 extra
firefighter); engine companies in outlying districts were staffed 1 + 4
• Only half of the SFFD’s remaining 9 battalion districts are staffed with a Chief’s Aide presently
• All tank wagon units were disbanded after the Department completed its conversion to triple-combination pumpers (equipped with water booster
tanks) that replaced the older dual-combination pumpers
• The Department’s hose tenders are no longer staffed, although these units remain in reserve status
• Salvage companies were disbanded entirely, and their salvage equipment was transferred to truck companies
• In 1980 the fire-fighting crew assigned to the fireboat was eliminated; Engine 35 was relocated to the quarters of the fireboat to provide a fire-fighting
crew when needed. The fireboat’s marine crew remains unchanged, with a single marine pilot and marine engineer assigned
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 15

City & County of San Francisco
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Authorized Positions by Function
Fiscal Year (Actual Figures) 1 Budget 2
FUNCTION / Agency 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Change
2004-2011
• Fire Department 1,835 1,752 1,706 1,665 1,726 1,602 1,532 1,513 -322 -17.5 %
• Police 2,669 2,616 2,664 2,765 2,870 2,949 2,756 2,697
• Sheriff 937 929 944 939 951 1,016 1,048 956
• Other 954 930 958 978 1,019 996 982 964
Public Protection – Subtotal: 6,395 6,227 6,272 6,347 6,566 6,563 6,318 6,130 -265 -4.1 %
• Municipal Transit Agency 4,518 4,386 4,232 4,374 4,358 4,528 4,367 4,075
• Airport Commission 1,214 1,203 1,248 1,220 1,228 1,248 1,233 1,300
• Dept. of Public Works 1,053 1,059 1,035 1,040 1,060 1,030 822 796
• Public Utilities Commission 1,589 1,513 1,573 1,596 1,609 1,580 1,549 1,592
• Other 507 505 532 538 543 565 481 505
DPW, Transit & Commerce – Subtotal: 8,881 8,666 8,620 8,768 8,798 8,951 8,452 8,268 613 -6.9 %
Community & Public Health – Subtotal: 6,093 5,928 5,956 5,988 6,196 6,023 5,838 5,581 512 -8.4 %
• Human Services 1,735 1,697 1,663 1,745 1,812 1,810 1,662 1,690
• Other 317 312 306 313 312 309 296 284
Human Welfare & Develop. – Subtotal: 2,052 2,009 1,969 2,058 2,124 2,119 1,958 1,974 78 -3.8 %
• Recreation & Park Commission 1,001 954 916 922 942 919 898 854
• Public Library 617 616 606 631 641 649 649 649
• War Memorial 95 96 95 96 96 97 63 63
• Other 156 149 200 199 204 203 199 142
Culture & Recreation – Subtotal: 1,869 1,815 1,817 1,848 1,883 1,868 1,809 1,708 161 -8.6 %
• Administrative Services 405 383 378 438 505 539 647 573
• City Attorney 319 308 321 324 327 318 306 302
• Telecomm. & Info. Services 313 276 261 270 307 265 252 217
• Controller 141 170 179 184 188 198 180 195
• Human Resources 188 172 151 156 155 144 138 120
• Treasurer/Tax Collector 192 197 199 208 208 212 220 211
• Mayor 56 51 48 51 57 55 49 42
• Other 466 454 491 520 571 547 554 545
General Admin. & Finance – Subtotal: 2,080 2,011 2,028 2,151 2,318 2,278 2,346 2,205 125 +6.0 %
General City Responsibility – Subtotal: 4 4 3 - - - - - -4 -
Total – Annually Funded Positions 27,374 26,660 26,665 27,160 27,885 27,802 26,721 25,866 -1,508 -5.5 %
1 2 Actual figures taken from the Controller’s CAFRs Report for FY 2008-09, page 204 ; Budget figures taken from the Mayor’s Proposed Budget for FY 2010-11, pages 69-70

www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 17

Last Alarm
Retired Assistant Chief/Division Commander
Bruno Bassi March 31, 2011
Retired Battalion Chief Richard Paganelli
March 16, 2011
Retired Captain Walter Crombie March 30, 2011
Danny,
I have been made aware of a recent assessment of the active
Firefighter’s of Local 798. I am sending in my retiree’s assessment
donation of $99 today to the Union and am challenging
all retired members from the SFFD/Local 798 to do the
same. The fight that the active firefighters are in is the same
fight we need to be involved in as well. We need to show
continued support to the Union and the active firefighters.
I have communicated with the representatives of the retired
firefighter groups to get the word out on this matter also.
Thank you to everyone at the Union for your hard work for
everyone.
SFFD Chaplain John Greene
St. Patrick’s Day 1994
Stay safe, Jim Conners, Ret.
Solid Union Guys, Retired
Pat Kenyon, Mel Patsel & Leo Martinez Submitted by: Mike Walsh
18 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

San Francisco Firefighters of Sonoma County
Come and join us on our sixth trip to the desert!
ophuggddrcbkhubmgh
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PALM SPRINGS 2011
November 13-14-15-16-17, 2011
Embassy Suites in Palm Dessert $565 Per person / Double Occupancy, King or 2 Queens ghffc
GOLF
j
$380 PER PLAYER. Men’s three day
low net tournament with 3 to 5 flights,
depending on number of players. Women play
various formats every day. Price includes prize
v
money and shotgun fee. Ed Tatarian will run a skin
tournament daily. Pay Ed there. $60 total.
NOV. 14
NOV. 15
NOV. 17
p
z
ESCENA 8:00 shotgun
A Jack Nicklaus classic design.
EAGLE FALLS 7:30 shotgun
Home of the Playboy tournament
Bob Quattrin
707-823-8243
Joe Collins
707-542-7797
Gary Montague
707-576-1891
INDIAN WELLS 8:00 shotgun
Players Course
Info
Steve Christensen
707-838-7966
John Ferrando
707-823-1228
Woody Paynter
707-579-0325
p
John Logue
707-577-8850
Kevin Garry
707-546-2505
p
f
p
s
PRICE INCLUDES
5 nights lodging in a two room suite.
Daily cooked to order breakfast.
Daily two hour complimentary cocktail party.
Final night awards banquet at The Cliff House Prime Steakhouse.
Room for tennis, handball, racquetball, Mah Jongg and pinochle.
Welcome dinner at the hotel on Sunday night.
Pool, spa, fitness center and six tennis courts.
p
Good cheer and camaraderie with old
and new friends.
v
p
Wednesday Adventure
General George Patton Desert Training
Museum
A military museum honoring America’s
veterans. In short, he said “If you
can operate here, you can kill those
assorted son’s of bitches where ever
you find them”. He made them run one
mile in 10 minutes with full pack and
rifle. West Coast Vietnam Wall. $5.00
Deposit Group room rates need to be reserved by APRIL 10TH. $300 per person. After this date, room availability determined on receipt of deposit.
BALANCE DUE: By September 15th- $265 ADD: $380 for golf. Mail checks to: Chairman SFRFSC, 7980 Mitchell Ct, Sebastopol 95472
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h

Tom,
Since my entry into the San Francisco Fire Department in 1950, this is what I worked on
with the Local 798:
I worked with Bob Callahan, the President for many years.
Fred Baumeister, setting up the first study-scope for promotions in the SFFD.
Frank Minahan, setting up maximum numbers on all promotion lists.
Bill Roberts on ballot measures.
I worked many years with Jim Fergosen, especially on the 1974 entry list and more.
The Gage-Babcock report that attempting to cut the SFFD by at least 25% (1969)
I worked on the committee for the “Like-pay Work Ordinance”.
I was an active member for over 32 years and attended most of the monthly meetings.
I still have strong ties with Local 798 and they give much support to our retired
firefighters and widows and many other of this type of organizations.
Again, Tom, for over 60 years I always “Tip my hat" to all the men, past and present that
have done so much for Local 798 and the fire department and its citizens of San Francisco.
Chuck
Unions and Their Strength
By: Chuck Lee, Ret.
With so much negative talk of Unions and their strength, I
would like to offer my thoughts on the subject. I joined the SFFD
in February of 1950. At that time, being a World War II Vet, I
was entitled to turn–outs from the government. To my surprise,
I received a $5 check monthly for one year. Why? My $285
monthly was $5 under minimum standard wages at that time,
which was $290.
Can you imagine that? For a job so hazardous as firefighting,
with little or no safety equipment, and finally, working a 72 hour
work-week! Incidentally, much of the safety equipment came
from strong union activities that gave firefighters the protection
they needed to do this very difficult work.
For the past 60 years, with the help of Local 798, the citizens of
San Francisco, and much work on all of our parts, we have given
the public their money’s worth many times over. I can attest to
that. The
citizens have done their part in showing appreciation by voting
us many benefits. Local 798 and its past and present members
should be proud of their accomplishments.
Now we hear so much talk about fighting the unions and taking
away many of their hard-earned benefits. Why is it that the socalled
venture capitalists with their billions are picking on firefighters,
the people who give their best at all times and in many
hazardous situations? If this ballot measure comes up this year,
you can count on my support as best I can. The public should
be kept aware of what is going on. All members of Local 798,
past and present, again, should be proud of the past 60 years
and more.
Finally, I will join the fight to defeat those who oppose us with
their self-centered motives. I read that even our esteemed Mr.
Adachi does not pay for his pension.
Pier 45 October 16, 1929 (1926?)
20 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

Memories of the Alley
The Rose
By: Jim Lyons
We had returned from a Second alarm
on Bush Street about 0430 on the morning
of May 16 th , 1992. It was a routine
room and contents in one of many apartment
houses that line the hills in an area
that is called Lower Nob Hill for the ritzy
people or the Upper Tenderloin for the
commoner.
The crew had re-filled the Scott Air paks,
and cleaned up what mess there was left
from this two-bit fire.
About 0545 I headed back up to bed to
try and get an hour or so more sleep, before
the oncoming crew came in around
7:30.
I lay in bed and was thankful for this
watch, as I had 3 regular squad men
working with me for the 24-hour shift.
Usually every watch was an experience,
because of vacations, disabilities and
the occasional sick day. Plus most of the
Squad guys had years of experience or
were on the current lieutenant’s list and
would get detailed out of the company
on a daily basis as a Like Work Like Pay
lieutenant. I couldn’t blame them for this
because it amounted to another $50.00
or so per watch.
The 3 guys I had on the rig were driver
Steve Feiner, the youngest in experience
with about 15 years, Bob (the X Man)
Vergano, and Greg Wyman who both had
around 20 years in the business. Steve
was a real gentleman, and sometimes I
wondered what he saw in working in that
Nut House known as “THE ALLEY”.
Bob was just the opposite of Steve, a
character, and Greg Wyman who was as
small as Steve and Bob was big, but a tremendous
athlete who was an All Conference
baseball player at the University of
San Francisco.
I had fallen asleep and the tones started
at about 0650 – “Unit dispatch Rescue
One reported man down at 4 th and Mission.”
We swung out of the firehouse to 5 th
Street to Mission, a left on Mission going
towards Fourth. On Mission StreeI about
75 feet from the front door of San Francisco
State College Annex, I saw a man
waving frantically to us.
As we pulled up I eyeballed these guys
and recognized them from previous runs
we had around the area. There were 3
of these characters, homeless folks who
usually camped out around Moscone
Center which was at 4 th and Howard, a
long block away. These calls were always
for alcoholic seizures. Basically we would
standby for the ambulance who in turn
would take them to SF General Hospital
where they would renew their Dilantin
and send them on their way. Back on the
street in 4-6 hours.
I said to one of the homeless guys,
“What’s wrong with you buddy?” and
he said he didn’t know but he hadn’t
moved and he was covered with a lice
infested blanket. I threw off the blanket
and could see why he hadn’t moved. HE
WAS DEAD! Cold-rigor! The whole nine
yards. I told the two homeless guys left
that their buddy was DOA and they were
now a twosome.
Many people were showing up for School
at SF State so this was beginning to attract
a crowd. I told Steve to get one of the yellow
blankets we carry on the rig and we
could cover the guy until the ambulance
showed up and could spring us.
0700 is a bad time in the city as it is change
of shift for the medics and coroner, and I
didn’t want an ambulance cracking up on
a needless call.
I told the crew I was going into the State
College building and land line Fire Alarm
dispatch with what we had, and tell them
to notify the ambulance to just go with
the flow of traffic. I usually went land-line
or phone when we had DOA’s because
our Fire department radio is listened to
by thousands of people with scanners
and this seemed kind of ghoulish to be
reporting over the air.
After my call I came back to the covered
body, and the three boys had evidently
stopped a flower salesperson and got
3 yellow roses, and placed them on the
stiffs chest like you would see at a funeral
home.
I could hear the ambulance responding-
I guess they didn’t get my message but
many of the people heading to school or
work had stopped to say a prayer for this
poor man’s soul. Some were now kneeling
and genuflecting. The roses had created
quite a reaction.
I looked at the firemen and just shook my
head.
The ambulance had just showed up and
I briefed the medic on what had happened,
-Not the roses- turned to my guys
and said “Let’s get the hell out of here”
REST IN PEACE HOMELESS PERSON!!!
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 21

The Vannucchi Papers
THE VANNUCCHI PAPERS
BY: Jim Vannucchi, Secretary
At the 2011 IAFF Legislative Conference
discussing issues before the 111 th Congress,
the matter of Social Security was
widely discussed. The following language
is from the IAFF:
Social Security Issues
An estimated 75 percent of all fire fighters
are covered by pension plans that are
independent of Social Security. These
individuals participate in specialized fire
fighter pension plans that have been designed
to reflect the unique circumstances
of their profession, including early retirement
ages and high rates of disability.
Additionally, many fire fighters who do
not pay Social Security payroll taxes but
qualify for Social Security benefits by paying
into the program at a second job or
through a spousal benefit may see their
benefits reduced by two offsets, the Government
Pension Offset (GPO) and the
Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP).
The GPO reduces public employees’ Social
Security spousal or survivor benefits
by two-thirds of their public pension
while the WEP reduces the Social Security
benefits of an individual who also
receives a public pension from a job not
covered by Social Security.
Many proposals have been put forward
in Congress in recent years to mandate
Social Security coverage of all public
employees, including fire fighters. Other
bills, some of which have generated
broad support, have sought to repeal or
reform the GPO and WEP.
The IAFF opposes mandatory Social Security
coverage as an attack on fire fighter
retirement security, and supports efforts
to repeal or reform the WEP and GPO, so
long as such actions would not result in
mandatory Social Security coverage for
fire fighters.
BACKGROUND
When the Social Security system was
created in 1935, government employees
were expressly excluded. Even when
state and local governments were given
the option to join the system in the
1950s, many fire departments were still
legally barred from electing Social Security
coverage until 1994. Because of this
long exclusion from the Social Security
system, local governments created pension
systems for fire fighters to address
their retirement needs without Social
Security. An estimated 75 percent of all
fire fighters are covered by pension plans
that are independent of Social Security.
These comprehensive plans are tailored
to meet the unique needs of fire fighters
by taking into consideration the early retirement
ages and high rates of disability
retirement that are characteristic of public
safety occupations.
Many fire fighters who do not pay Social
Security payroll taxes at their fire service
job nevertheless qualify for Social Security
benefits by paying into the program
at a second job or through their spouse.
These fire fighters may see their benefits
reduced by one of two offsets: the Government
Pension Offset (GPO), which reduces
spousal benefits, and the Windfall
Elimination Provision (WEP), which reduces
the benefits of someone who paid
a minimal amount into Social Security at
a second job. The 110 th Congress has held
hearings examining these offsets and the
various bills that have been introduced to
repeal or reform the WEP or GPO.
IAFF POSITION
The IAFF has long opposed mandatory
Social Security coverage because it would
jeopardize the specialized retirement systems
created for fire fighters. The IAFF
has also supported efforts to reform the
WEP and GPO. Many policy makers argue
that the two issues are linked, and they
have proposed eliminating the offsets by
requiring everyone to pay into Social Security.
Proponents of linking the issues
note that repealing the offsets would cost
tens of billions of dollars, and claim that
the fairest way to pay for any repeal or
reform would be to collect Social Security
taxes from those municipal employees
not currently covered.
To address the potential linkage of the
two issues, delegates to the IAFF’s 2004
convention modified the organization’s
position to affirm that the IAFF supports
repeal or reform of the GPO/WEP “provided
it does not increase the likelihood
of forcing all fire fighters into mandatory
Social Security coverage.” This position
was reaffirmed at the IAFF’s 2008 convention.
The IAFF will work with congressional
leaders and the new administration to
both preserve independent retirement
systems outside of the Social Security
system and to lessen the impact of the
GPO and WEP offsets on fire fighters who
qualify for Social Security benefits.
22 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

Letter From The Director
Changing of the guard
“
“Social Security...is not a dole or a device for giving everybody something for nothing. True Social
Security must consist of rights which are earned rights -- guaranteed by the law of the land.”
-- Harry S. Truman, August 13, 1945
KEY POINTS
MANDATORY SOCIAL SECURITY
Shon Buford, Director
• Approximately 75 percent of the nation’s
fire fighters are not enrolled in the
Social Security system. Instead, they participate
in and specialized Sisters, fire fighter pension
Brothers
plans that have been designed to reflect
Please the unique join me circumstances as I thank John of their Hanley profession,
sixteen including plus years early retirement as President ages of this and
for
his
great high Union rates of ours. disability. Requiring Social
Security For many coverage of you, both of all active state and and retired, local
John government Hanley has employees been President would for undermine
these It was tailored under pension John’s plans. tenure that
some
time.
Local 798 was able to negotiate good and
fair • The contracts revenue with generated the City, by thus mandatory enabling
us coverage to bridge of the state gap and between local government a two tier
workers would be marginal and tem-
system. In so doing, we were also able to
secure a pension that enables firefighters
to provide for their families in retirement.
Personally, John Hanley was the one
who encouraged me as a Station Steward
to run for Director. With the help of Frank
Kelly, Dennis Kruger and the rest of the
Board, porary. I The was wholesale made to feel disruption comfortable of the in
this retirement new position plans and of our given nation’s guidance first as responders
best to is support too heavy the a membership. price to pay for For
to
how
that, such I a am small eternally contribution grateful. to the solvency
of Although the Social organized Security system. labor has realized
substantial gains in the recent past, what
with • Forcing pay fire raises, fighters pensions into the and Social working Security
system the would future amount is still to an untold. unfair
conditions,
However, 6.2 percent under tax increase the new on these leadership middleincome
workers. Tom O’Connor, feel certain
of
President-elect
that we are in good hands. With over 14
• Paying the employer’s share of the Social
Security tax would place a financial
years of service to Local 798 as Director,
Treasurer, and now President Elect, Tom
strain on many cash-strapped municipalities.
will provide
This would
a smooth
lead to
transition
cutbacks in
at
municipal
services,
the
negotiating table,
including
and has
fire
vision
protection.
that will
take us far into the next decade.
• Claims John Hanley’s that public vast employees knowledge are of “double-dipping”
by receiving Social
labor
Security
issues, combined with his political savvy
will surely be missed. In his own words,
“he would have not stepped down if he
wasn’t confident that we were in good
hands”. Well, I’m here to tell you that as
a Director of San Francisco Firefighters
Local 798, I have the utmost confidence in
benefits President-Elect to which Thomas they are Patrick not O’Connor. entitled
are The inaccurate. future of Local The current 798 is bright law contains with the
offsets commitment which reduce of a strong Social Security Board and benefits
committed for those leader. receiving a government
a
pension Brothers from and a Sisters, non-covered the road employer. ahead may
be uncertain, but in that vein, the way has
• been The paved creation by of President these specialized Hanley’s tireless public
voice sector and pension resounding plans commitment came in direct to
response labor. to Congress prohibiting public
employees In preservation from participating of President in Hanley’s Social
Security.
many fought
As recently
battles over
as 1994,
the years,
fire fighters
Local
798
in
will
many
continue
states
to
were
stand
not
united,
allowed
and
to
by
join
doing
the
so,
system.
we will
It
prayerfully
is unfair to
prevail.
force public
agencies to now curtail or abolish these
well-funded, financially stable plans just
to generate a small amount revenue to
Shon Buford
the Social Security Trust Fund.
Director
“
Pete Brannigan
Trusted Realator in Noe Valley
San Francisco’s top producing agent in Noe Valley
In 2009 is proud to have worked with many members
of Local 798. Please call or email for a list of active
and retired firefighters who can provide you with
excellent references.
Or contact Pete directly if you need someone trusted and
reliable to help you with your real estate needs or questions.
Allow us to protect your investment with excellent service.
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 11
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 23

2010 Station
Stewards
Station 1
Station 2
Station 3
Station 5
Station 6
Station 7
Station 8
Station 9
Station 10
Station 11
Station 12
Station 13
Station 14
Station 15
Station 16
Station 17
Station 18
Station 19
Station 20
Station 21
Station 22
Station 23
Michael Quinn
Roger Ng
Chris Salas
Tom Fogle
Michael Horta
Jose Zalba
Ramon Serrano
Rich Britton
Sherman Tillman
Ben Canedo
Thomas Haney
Pat D’Arcy
Mary Reidy
Natalie Spaelti
Patric Steele
Huckleberry Ramsay
Dan Tauber
Victor Gonzales
Brendan McGorrin
Steve Finnegan
Jenny Glickman
Ken McCarthy
Station 24
Station 25
Station 26
Station 28
Station 29
Station 31
Station 32
Station 33
Station 34
Station 35
Station 36
Station 37
Station 38
Station 39
Station 40
Station 41
Station 42
Station 43
Station 44
Station 48
Station 49
Station 51
Nicholas Holl
Kinnie Jamerson
OPEN
Jason Woo
Bridget Cullinane
Marcella Mc Cormack
Dawn Rosales
OPEN
Jana Wakefield
Jean Pinto
Antenor Molloy
Dave Amituanai
Dean Whittaker
Michael Moynihan
OPEN
Christian Murphy
Mike Guajuardo
Rob Mello
Nathan Shapiro
OPEN
Scott Hellesto
Jared Cooper
Jeremy Silva
AP 1 Terry Woo
AP 2 Romelia Scott
AP 3 Ellen Stein
BFI
BFP
Laura Kelly
Tom Harvey
Joe Cuff
Janice Hayes
BOE
HQ
RADIO
Al Harvey
Rhab Boughn
OPEN
24 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

Retired Firemen
and Widows Association
Of the San Francisco
Fire Department
The Retired Firemen and Widows Association exists to keep retired firemen,
spouses , and surviving spouses and dependents informed of the goings-on
with the City, the Retirement Board, the Health Service System and any other
situation that may be of importance.
LocaL 798
Apparel
available
at the Hall
The Association meets bimonthly on the second Sunday of the month at St.
Gabriel’s church at 41 st Ave and Ulloa St. at 2pm. The meetings usually last
about an hour and we try to have a speaker present. Usually that person is
a local politician, City Department representative or a person of interest. Refreshments
are served after the meeting. There are no meetings in June, July
and August. The Association sponsors two trips to Reno (March and October)
and a Christmas luncheon. You have probably noticed our members at Local
798’s blood drives (check the board) and also at the Firefighter’s Toy Program.
DONATIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
By Michael A. Walsh
Giving something back can mean so much in a person’s life. As firefighters, we are just ordinary people doing extraordinary work.
The Executive Board of Local 798 asks that you consider supporting the following charities that have been set up to help others in
their time of need. You can dedicate your donation in memory of a loved one, in their honor, or in their memory. Please give and
make a difference in someone’s life. Your Executive Board recommends the following charities:
San Francisco
Firefighters Local 798
Surviving Families Fund
FEIN #95-4891917
This Fund was originally called the
Widows and Orphans Fund. This Fund
helps families of fallen firefighters not
only here in San Francisco but through
the US and Canada.
San Francisco
Firefighters Cancer
Prevention Foundation
FEIN #56-2608686
Helping fund research and finding
the reason and possible cure for the
high number of cancer cases among
firefighters.
San Francisco
Firefighters Toy Program
FEIN #94-2598851
This program brings joy and happiness
to over 20,000 children who would
ordinarily not have any Christmas. This
is the oldest organized toy program in
the country.
To contribute to any of the above charities:
In lieu of flowers, consider a Donation, and make a difference today.
PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: the specific Fund listed above. Please remember to make a notation on the
check as to who whom the donation is made in memory of.
PLEASE MAIL CHECKS TO:
San Francisco Firefighters Local 798
Please call the Union office at (415) 621-7103 1139 Mission if you Street have San any Francisco, questions. CA We 94103 will be happy to help you.
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 25

sd2011
TENTH ANNUAL GUNS AND HOSES CHARITY TENNIS CHALLENGE
To benefit Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund
& S.F. Firefighters Toy Program
Saturday April 30, 2011 at
The San Francisco Tennis Club
It’s time for our Tenth Annual Guns and Hoses
Charity Tennis Challenge. This year it will be held
on April 30th, 2011. As last year, this endeavor
should prove to be a fun-filled day of tennis, food,
drinks, friends, and lots of silent auction and raffle
prizes. Last year prizes included hotel stays, dinner
certificates, Giant and 49er’s tickets, wine, events,
and much, much more. $100.00 donation includes
the entry fee, dinner and drinks. For just $30.00
you can have dinner, watch the tennis and have
all of the wine and beer you can drink. All players
compete at their own level in a fun and friendly
manner.
This tournament will benefit two very worthwhile
charities: The Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance
Fund (SFPD) and San Francisco Fire Fighters
Toy Program ( Sponsored by Local 798.)
All players compete at their own level.
Tennis : 4:00 P.M. Dinner : 7:00 P.M.
For an application or
information contact:
Bob Lopez
650-315-8268
Inspector Robin Matthews
415-553-1093
The Tournament will be hosted by the San Francisco
Tennis Club, San Francisco Police Officers Association
(SFPOA) and The San Francisco Firefighters
Union Local 798. A special thanks to all of them
for their continued contribution to these worthy
causes.
So join us for a good time of tennis and friendship,
as we continue this fun tradition between the SFFD
and the SFPD.
26 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

dGUNS
& HOSES CHARITY TENNIS CHALLENGE
To Benefit the S.F. Firefighters Toy Program and the
Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (BALEAF)
SATURDAY, APRIL 30, 2011
Hosted by the San Francisco Tennis Club
645 5th Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
(415) 777-9000
PLAYER/NON-PLAYER APPLICATION FORM
Player Name: ___________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________ City: _____________________ Zip:________
Phone: ________________________________ E-Mail: ________________________
Tennis Rating: _____ OR Level: Beginner ____ Intermediate ____ Advanced ____
Tax Deductible Entry Fee: $100.00 (Includes tennis, food & beverages)
Payment Method: Check*: __________________ Cash: _______________________
NON-PLAYER/GUEST REGISTRATION:
Non-Player Name: ______________________________________________________
Address: __________________________City: ___________________ Zip: _________
Phone : ____________________________ E-Mail: ____________________________
I will attend the Tournament and will have dinner: Yes: _________ No: _________
Tax Deductible Donation: $30.00 each Number of Non-Players: ______________
Payment Method: Check: #_________________ Cash: _________________________
DONATION INFORMATION
I will not attend the Tournament or Dinner. Please accept the following tax deductible donation in the amount of
$___________. Check:# ______ Cash: ______
• Please make checks payable to “Guns and Hoses Charity Tennis Challenge”.
• SFTC members may fax their application to (415) 777-2353 or submit to Weston Reese with payment. Non-
SFTC members may mail their application and check to Bob Lopez, 828 Maple Ave, Burlingame, CA 94010.
• For more information contact Weston Reese (SFTC) at 415-777-9000, Bob Lopez (SFFD) at 650-315-8268, or
Robin Matthews (SFPD) 415-553-1093
DEADLINE IS APRIL 25, 2011
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 27

San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798
Softball League 2011
1. Teams to submit roster, NOT TO EXCEED THIRTY (30) PLAYERS. Rosters must be submitted by Tuesday,
February 15, 2011, Watch 07. Submit only the names of members who play, not the house roster. Please
indicate the Station to which all members on the roster are assigned.
Please indicate two people that can be contacted regarding any changes. One forfeit and teams may be dropped from the league
for the remainder of the season. If you do not feel that you can participate FULLY do not send in a roster.
2. Any house or member of said house, which has past due fines, or is not in “full Union membership”, will not be
accepted. If one or more names appear on the roster that is not in “good standing”, THE ROSTER WILL NOT BE
ACCEPTED. All fines and/or Union assessments MUST BE PAID. (Members assigned to stations, who owe fines,
may not play for another station until said fines from their stations have been paid in full.) All must be Local 798
members.
2011 Fines Due with roster:
All regular members and unassigned members, who are in a spot and whose house has a team as of February 15, will
play for that house. No exceptions regardless of where they have played in the past. Any member who wishes to
play, but whose house, as of February 15 does not have a team will be placed on a team in the “Station draft”.
The “Station Draft” is tentatively set to take place on 2/24/10 at the offices of Local 798, 1139 Mission St., 3 rd
floor, at approximately 0900 hrs. Each team will be permitted to send no more than two representatives for the
draft.
3. In order to help speed up the game, so the gardener does not have to wait so long to reduce the infield, the teams
for the second game are to take the field and get the game started as soon as possible.
ELIGIBILE
1. Any permanently assigned or unassigned member to a house entered as of February 15.
2. Players’ names to appear on ONE roster only.
3. Players whose house have no team or not combined with another house, will be placed on a team in the “station
draft”.
4. Sixteen (16) teams will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. All others will be combined or dropped.
FORFEITS
1. No team or teams are allowed to cancel any games, for any reason, without prior permission from the Commissioner. Otherwise
it will be considered a forfeit ($30) and no umpire ($20) for the teams involved.
2. A $30 entry fee to accompany roster. In case of a forfeit, another $30 against each team will be levied by the
Commissioner.
3. Players whose names appear on the roster are the only ones allowed to play.
4. Nine Players to start or continue a game. A full team is ten (10) fielders.
5. Games can only be delayed 15 minutes.
DEFINITIONS
1. PITCH – Slow-pitch ball must be at least 3 feet from where it leaves the pitcher’s hand to a maximum of 10 feet
(highest point of arc).
2. PLAYERS – 10 or 9
28 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

3. INNING – 7 innings. Games may be played with a 1 & 1 count as long as both teams agree before the game
begins.
4. DISTANCE – Bases 65 feet; Pitchers mound 45 feet.
5. LEADING – Only after ball crosses plate or is hit.
6. STEALING or BUNTING – Not allowed.
7. SUBSTITUTIONS – Players must play ONE FULL INNING and BAT AT LEAST ONCE.
8. BALLS and Strikes – To be called by the Umpires. If the ball strikes any part of the “mat”, the pitch will be called a
strike. The plate will be considered a ball. AFTER TWO STRIKES, ONE FOUL BALL IS ALLOWED, AFTER THE
SECOND FOUL BALL THE BATTER IS OUT.
UMPIRES
1. Each field has a 0900 and 1030 game. Each team playing the 1030 game shall furnish one member to umpire the
0900 game and vice versa. Teams who fail to supply an umpire, FOR ANY REASON, will be charged $20 for each
game. The umpire must be someone who knows the “basic” rules of SLOW-Pitch softball.
2. Umpires are not to switch positions
RULES
1. Ground rules to be decided by the umpire prior to each game.
2. If a pitched ball hits a batter, the pitch will be called a “Ball”.
3. Everyone who appears at a game, whose name is on the roster, MUST BE ALLOWED TO PLAY AT LEAST ONE
INNING, if so requested.
4. Swing personnel, or occasional floaters attached to two or more companies may choose which company to play for,
with the Commissioners prior permission.
5. Umpires to call in scores to Sta. 06 after each game.
6. A tentative date of March 08 th will start our 2011 season.
7. Each team is to supply a new ball for each game, (no rubber covered or colored balls allowed. 44 Core maximum). For
approved ball list go to www.sfsoftball.com. It will be necessary for each team to provide their own bases.
8. Strike Zone – The pitched ball must arc at least 3 feet from the point at which it leaves the pitcher’s hand
to a maximum of 10 feet (highest point of arc). A “strike mat” will be introduced to aid the umpire with the
strike zone. If a pitch hits any part of the mat, the pitch will be a strike. The plate will be considered a ball.
9. The Commissioner will schedule all games (rainouts, etc.), Not individual teams.
10. Any team or teams that reschedule or cancel a game, without the Commissioners permission, will automatically be
considered a forfeit for both teams.
11. A legal bat list will be announced. For player safety, there is the possibility of wood bats, or the league
supplying two bats per team to be used. Bats are to be ASA approved and not exceed a 98 mph rating. Also
any player found to be playing with steel spikes will be banned from the league.
12. Any team that forfeits a game, may be dropped from the league and all monies due must be paid.
Send Roster to
Steve Engler
SFFD, Station 6
135 Sanchez St
San Francisco, CA 94114
Please make checks payable to: Local 798
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 29

Hi Mike, thanks for your assistance on the phone today regarding the retiree’s 4% that is not being given.
Enclosed is a check for $100. If you could keep me on the Main Line mailing list I would greatly
appreciate it.
Thanks, Peter Leonard
You are the best. Please see that these three checks go to the Surviving Families Fund, the Firefighter’s
Cancer Prevention Foundation and the Toy Program in memory of all the Great Firefighters that have gone
before us. Thanks.
Anonymous
This donation is in memory of Bob Kincher, Bud Madden and Johnny Sherin. Many thanks to all who
helped defeat Prop B.
Bob Blanchard, Ret.
First of all, thanks for all the hard work on defeating Prop B. Thanks again for your continuing hard work
protecting the benefits and working conditions of all active and retired firefighters. Please feel free to
call on me for any help in the future. I’ll be there. Please use this donation where needed.
Thanks again, Al Rizotto
Dear Brothers, I hope the new year is kind to all 798 members. I appreciate all your hard work and I just
wanted to thank you for everything. I miss the meetings and hope they continue to solve everyone’s
complaints. My best to all and thanks for the great retirement. Please accept this check with my gratitude.
Maybe you could use it for the Chris Daly Campaign Fund.
Sincerely Tom Carberry, Ret.
In memory of Lou Mambretti (3-9-95)
Diana Mambretti
To all at Local 798, thank you for your continued hard work during these difficult times. It is most
appreciated.
Sincerely, Gary Musante
30 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 12, 2011
Enclosed is a check to stand with Union Members under attack in Republican states like Wisconsin, Indiana,
Ohio, etc. Collective bargaining is the heart and soul of Peaceful Negotiations! United we stand-
Divided we fall. Strength through Union-
Bless you, Jack
Dear Ms. Sally Casazza, On behalf of the children, the staff, and the Board of the Directors of Oakes
Children’s Center, I would like to thank you for the toys that were donated to us for 2010. Santa put a lot
of happy smiles on the faces of our kids.
Also, please extend our thanks to all the people on your staff and the volunteers that helped with the
toy donation and the delivery of the toys to our facility. We know that it takes a lot of time and effort to
organize. You all are helping a lot of people. We really appreciate it.
The economy has been tough on us during this past holiday season but with the help of friends and supporters
like your organization, we were able to have a very successful holiday celebration.
Thank you again for thinking of us, and we shall keep you abreast of our progress in our next newsletter.
We wish you and your staff a very happy 2011!
Austin Lambe, Executive Director
Community Corner
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 31

32 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

Rescue Squads from the Past
Submitted by: Mike
Walsh
Attention Car
Enthusiasts
Rescue 2
1956 Seagrave
All Local 798 members active and retired, we are
starting a car club for gatherings and events and to
meet people interested in Muscle Cars, Hot Rods and
Classics. If you are interested please contact
Danny Gracia at (415) 608-7901 or Geoff Quesada
at (415) 860-6197
Member’s Rides Questionnaire
Would you like your ride to be featured in the
next Main Line? Send the following information
to the Union Hall:
Name:
Firehouse:
Rescue Squad #2
sixties vintage
Make:
Model:
Year:
Engine type:
Transmission Type:
Brief History of Vehicle: Production Numbers,
special traits, Mileage, Rims and tires, etc...
Digital images (200+ res):
Rescue One
1987 Ford
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 33

“
Progressive Pension Reform San Francisco Bay Guardian
“
...it’s worth understanding where this so-called crisis
originated and how to fashion a progressive approach
to the issue.
Under Mayors Willie Brown and Gavin
Newsom, the city used its flush pension
fund as a way to avoid tough decisions on
employee pay
EDITORIAL It’s entirely possible that San
Francisco voters will see three different
pension proposals on the November
ballot. Public Defender Jeff Adachi, who
failed to pass a harsh pension-reform
plan last year, is determined to try again.
A working group headed by investment
banker Warren Hellman is working on
a plan, and Sup. Sean Elsbernd expects
some version of that to move forward.
And organized labor may do its own initiative.
But before any of those efforts are finalized,
it’s worth understanding where this
so-called crisis originated — and how to
fashion a progressive approach to the issue.
The idea behind San Francisco’s fixedbenefit
system is simple. Every year, the
city and it’s employees contribute to a
pension fund, which is invested under
strict rules, and when an employee retires,
he or she gets paid a predetermined
amount out of that fund. Until the financial
system imploded and the stock market
crashed in 2008, San Francisco’s pension
fund was solid. The reserves more
than covered expected payouts. In fact,
the fund was so healthy, and growing so
fast, that some years the city didn’t have
to contribute anything at all.
Under Mayors Willie Brown and Gavin
Newsom, the city used its flush pension
fund as a way to avoid tough decisions on
employee pay. Instead of giving raises, for
example, the city offered to pick up the
contributions some workers were making
to the fund (which would cost the city
nothing as long as the stock market kept
booming).
Now things aren’t so rosy, and the city’s
having to put hundreds of millions a year
into the fund to keep it solvent. For the
record, that’s not the fault of the city employees
who negotiated their contracts
in good faith — and who weren’t players
in the Wall Street greed and corruption
that wrecked the economy. In fact, if the
city had continued paying into the fund in
good times, the costs would be far lower
now.
The various pension proposals look at
a wide range of approaches, but in essence,
both Adachi and Hellman’s group
are going to ask city employees to put
more of their paychecks into the pension
fund. That’s the equivalent of a pay cut
— they’ll be taking home less money for
the same benefits they currently receive.
It’s true that city employees now get better
pensions than most private-sector
workers (a result in part of the fact that
corporate American, aided by Congress,
shifted most retirement plans to the
401(k) model, which puts all the risk on
the employees and leaves employers
largely off the hook). And there’s some
horrendous abuse, particularly by senior
police and fire staffers (former Police
Chief Heather Fong is getting $229,000 a
year for life, which is ridiculous).
It’s also true that the average midlevel
city worker gets a pension between
$20,000 and $24,000 a year.
Labor has already given back some $500
million in concessions over the past four
years (and most of that money has come
from lower and midlevel workers) City
programs and services have been cut, by
most estimates, by close to $1 billion.
The city has raised only $90 million in
new taxes.
The bottom line is that over the past
four years, the rich and big corporations,
which are radically undertaxed in our society,
have given back almost nothing to
the city, have felt almost no pain. Unless
pension reform takes that into account, it
won’t be fair or acceptable.
The first element of any new pension plan
should be progressive in scale: capping
pensions at, say, $100,000 (or lower);
eliminating pension spiking; and requiring
high-paid employees to contribute a
higher percentage to the fund than lowpaid
workers would make sense. Policy
makers should treat this as what it is, a
pay cut — and any cuts should fall disproportionately
on those who are more able
to afford it. Requiring the city to put its
share into the fund every year, even if the
market is booming, would help ease the
pain in bad years.
But there should be no pension reform
without tax reform. If San Francisco is
going to ask its employees to do more
to balance the local budget — and that
probably has to happen — then city officials
should be willing to ask the richest
residents and businesses to share the
pain too.
34 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

It’s that time again. It’s the DPH/SFFD /reunion, /retirement, /social evening,
/have a nice time joking, laughing, and reminiscing with co-workers, Banquet.
Friday, May 20, 2011
From 6:00 pm, (with a no host bar,
Dinner at 7:30pm,) till 10:30pm
Patio Espanol
Restaurant
2850 Alemany Blvd,
San Francisco
(cross of Farragut St., plenty of
parking onsite and on Alemany Blvd)
This is your night! Everyone past and present, whether Steward or Driver, Paramedic or EMT, Doctor or
Nurse, support staff of every stripe, this is an evening for everyone and you’re all invited.
Share in the camaraderie born of our unending battle against the evil forces of illness, disease, alcohol and
human stupidity. Share your most embarrassing war stories, delight your friends with tales of heroism and
recall the insane calls that usually started when your youthful patients turned to their friends and shouted, “Hey
guys watch this!”
And while we’re at it, since so many people have retired, and others have left for other jobs and greener
pastures and sadder still others are no longer with us please come and let’s all raise a toast and say good bye and
good luck to: Steve and Irene Ager, Andy Baron, Alan Freebury, Allan Goodman, Phil Harvey, Terry
Hogue, Peter Howes, Clayton Laderer, Tom Leeper, Peter Leonard, Scott McGehee, Jon Meade, Pat
Sabia, Perry Saxton, Jim Spaelti, Debbie Tanis, Mike Tregesser, Dirk Van Waart, Jesse Vanbuskirk,
Dave Wada, Jim Strain Marco Carnigula, Bob Navarro, and there will be a moment of reflection for Ms.
Carolyn Champagne.
If you know of anyone who’s gotten lost in time, or who is about to retire, has retired since 2005, or
passed away that we’ve over looked please contact us at (415) 648-3380 or j207green@earthlink.net.
Cost per person is $49.00
Please get your check in the mail by May 16 th , 2011. People without reservations who show up at the
door will be admitted if space is available and the cost will be $69.00 by check, sorry no credit cards.
Make checks payable to James Green, Mail to: James Green, 3962 Cesar Chavez St, Apt.6, San Francisco,
CA. 94131. We won’t be able to acknowledge receipt of every check so just mail it and show up!
Please send it as soon as possible because we need to give the restaurant a head count as early as possible.
------------------------------------------Please cut and send------------------------------------------
Name _____________________________________________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________________________________
Phone__________________________Email_______________________________________________
Number Attending_______________
Meal Choice, (one choice per person) Grilled Chicken_____New York Steak______Vegitarian_____
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 35

Letter From the
Director
Kathy GilBraith
Hello SFFD members, I have been enjoying
this new job and would like to
take a minute to fill you in on some going
ons. First off, in January I was able to
attend the IAFF Leadership Conference in
Phoenix, Arizona. There was lots of information
there, it lasted for about 3 days, I
was able to attend classes on Grievances
and the process, Duty to Fairly Represent,
Pensions and the Public Employees,
Health Services and Preparing for Negotiation
, it was a lot of information in a
little time, but I am grateful that I was
able to attend, I think of it as Union 101.
It definitely broadened my knowledge in
regards to most of the topics, and I realized
what a huge learning curve this new
job requires- Bring It!
Pension
Lots of work surrounding this issue. Jeff
Adachi has filed three different charter
amendments regarding the pension reform
he will ultimately choose just one.
We are working on strategies but waiting
for The City to present their version
of what the changes to the Charter will
be. Local 798 is currently working with
all other City and County employee Union
groups . All the unions will be effected
and required to give at an equal rate, police
and fire are in the ‘safety’ category
and we will have some differences because
of this. These issues will be brought
to you and we will have discussions on
what the best angle going forth will be.
The City is slated to reveal their plan during
the first part of April. For now, look
for the pamphlet available called ‘Real
Retirement Solutions’ published by Stand
up for Working Families. It contains some
good talking points, and will be available
at you firehouse soon.
Jeff Adachi has filed three different charter amendments regarding the pension. he
will ultimately choose just one. We are working on strategies but waiting for The
to present their version of what the changes to the Charter will be...
“
City
Health Service System
It is time for open enrollment, please
take time to look over your packages,
in particularly, there has been a change
to Delta Dental, it will have a fee attached
to it, and there are now two
other dental opti ons , check it out.
I have started attending the monthly
Health Service System Meetings at City
Hall, I was pleasantly surprised to see the
former 798 director, Dennis Kruger, to be
a regular at the meetings, what a blessing,
he is a wealth of information, helping
me swim through the abundance of information
and get to the nitty gritty of what
we need to be aware of. The HSS does a
really good job caring for the employees
of this city, it is worth a look at their web
site to see what they have to offer us as
a CCSF employee, you can find them at
sfgov.org .
Firefighter Bill Of Rights
Lately, there has been more investigations
from the EMSA than ever before. This is
not unique to San Francisco, I spoke with
some union reps.from Los Angeles and
they stated that they are facing the same
issue. I would like to take a minute to remind
everyone, when and /or if you are
facing an investigation- know your rights.
A link to the Bill of Rights can be found on
our web site.
There is a section that addresses investigations,
and your rights during that process.
Take all these rights into consideration
when you are being investigated
and call us. It is important that the union
and the employee work together during
this process for two reasons:
1) To have a representative that has been
involved in investigations and knows the
process.
2)Any consequences that come of the investigation
will be fair ,for you and all
union members.
“
EMS
There has been some movement in the
ranks at Station 49, congratulations to
all the newly hired H3Level 1 EMTs(12
new members) and to all the H3Level
1s who have moved into the H3 Level
2 rank(18people) our next hurdle is to
move the stalled H3 Level 2 classification
into the fire/medic spots, we are
hop ef u l to have n ews a b o u t the soon.
Night differential pay for EMS Training
Officers that are required to change their
schedule and work the night shift will
be something we are diligently advocating
for, please advise us if your schedule
changes without any Labor involvement.
Tony Sacco
There will be a dedication ceremony in
memory of the late Tony Sacco on April
15 at 10am, the walkway at the Geneva
Bart Station will have a plaque honoring
Mr. Sacco. The ceremony is open to all
who want to attend.
Carolyn Champagne
It is with great sadness that we say goodbye,
way to prematurely, to a dear friend
and diligent supporter of our payroll
needs. Carolyn was such an advocate for
the firefighters. I remember her saying
‘I’ll take care of it’ and she always did. I
will miss her very much, her sparkle and
her professionalism will not be forgotten.
I would like to encourage everyone to
make a donation to her children, Carolyn
supported them also, their loss must be
overwhelming. Your contributions can be
placed into an account at the Fire Credit
Union, under the name of Carolyn’s sister
Kristina Clingman, the number of the savings
account is 126267. Thank you.
That is all for now, thanks for electing me
into this position I have been enjoying the
whirlwind that it is, and will talk to you
soon. J
36 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

Letter From the Director Tony Rivera
So, I was at the fire house a few Fridays ago. The day started
as usual. I promised myself not to eat dessert and to do at
least 3 hours on the treadmill. So much for firehouse promises.
We did our usual R-1’s, and a few runs in the morning, and
everything seemed to be shaping up to be a “normal” day for
the crew and I. Right after lunch, we had another medical.
A “run-in-the-mill” call until it was time to assist the patient
onto the gurney. I leaned over to assist the gentleman onto
the gurney when he slipped and let his body weight fall as I
attempted to hold him up...Ouch! My back felt like a potato
chip that had just been stepped on. Needless to say, all forms
were filled out as I nursed my back with advil and took shots
from the crew. My back pain got worse and began to stiffen,
I couldn’t even lift my Scott over my head. So, that night I was
sent to Saint Francis Emergency Room for treatment. The E.R.
doctor sent me home and instructed me to call my Primary
Care Physician that I had Pre-Designated for Workers Compensation
issues like this. Monday morning rolls around, so
I call my doctor, (who I have had for 18 years). I find out that
his office no longer accepts Workers Compensation cases and
that I would have to see a, yes, you guessed it, “City Doctor!”
I won’t go into details but he was no Dr. Oz, he was more like
Dr. Bombay from the Bewitched T.V. show. The moral of the
story, please check to see if your pre-designated physician is
still accepting Workers Compensation. Many practices have
dropped Workers Compensation because of new guidelines
and requirements.
Community Corner
Hansford Building Fire July 9, 1938
On behalf of the board, staff, and community of Hamilton Family Center, we
thank you for your participation in the 2010 Holiday Gift Drive. Each year we
are humbled by the generosity and enthusiasm of our community of volunteers
who collect toys and gifts to distribute at the holidays. We especially thank
station 5 for visiting our shelter on Christmas Eve. Each gift is more than
an item to unwrap, it is a powerful reminder to homeless kids and teens
that they are not forgotten. A gift represents stability and gives a sense of
home to homeless families.
You were a part of our family this holiday season and with grateful hearts
we thank you for bringing the holidays to the families and children of Hamilton
Family Center.
Best wishes for a happy 2011, Davey Gerhard
www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 37

2011 Bay Area Division March for Babies
Volunteer Opportunities
First Aid Expertsbabies around the Bay Area need your help! 2011 marks the 42 nd annual March for Babies
walk-‐a-‐thon fundraiser event. March for Babies is a family oriented and highly attended event with more
than 3,000 participants expected to walk in San Francisco, and over 6,000 walkers in the Bay Area!
Volunteers are at the heart of all March of Dimes activities, and March for Babies could not happen without
the dedication and support from people like you!
We are looking for up to 2 Certified EMTs and/or Registered nurses to run the First Aid Tent in Fort Mason
from 8:00am-‐12:30pm. Each volunteer will receive breakfast, lunch, and a March for Babies t-‐shirt!
Volunteers must wear comfortable clothes, shoes and be able to lift up to 30 lbs.
Details about the volunteer positions are below. Volunteering on the day of the walk is a lot of fun and we
always need help!
San Francisco March for Babies: Saturday, April 30 th at The Great Meadow in Fort Mason (corner of
Laguna & Bay Streets)
Assisting participants (mostly children) who sustain minor injuries in the Festival Zone area
March of Dimes will provide minimal first aid suppliesplease bring a First Aid Kit with you just in case
There will be an ambulance on-‐site for any serious injuries
To sign up to help during March for Babies in San Francisco, or to serve as a First Aid volunteer at our
three other walks in the Bay Area, please contact Bay Area Division Campaign Coordinator Kari Scheidt:
415-‐217-‐6363, kscheidt@marchofdimes.com
Thank you for your support in helping us realize the day when all babies are born healthy!
Register for March for Babies TODAY at www.marchforbabies.org
38 Main Line www.sffdlocal798.org

www.sffdlocal798.org Main Line 39

Main Line is the official
publication of the San
Francisco Firefighters
Local 798. Affiliated
with IAFF-CIO/CLC. It
reflects the views
and opinions of the
Executive Board and the
membership. We do not
endorse or support any
other publication, nor do
we endorse or support
telemarketing as it pertains
to the San Francisco
Firefighters Local 798.
Tom O’Connor
President, Local 798
San Francisco Fire Fighters
Local 798
MAINLINE
1139 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Nonprofit Org.
US POSTAGE
PAID
San Francisco, CA
Permit No. 6926
March 9, 2011
photography by: M. Kaiser