MAINLINEDecember 2009 - San Francisco Firefighters Local 798

MAINLINE December 

2009 

Official Publication of the San Francisco Firefighters

THE INSIDE BOX 

Box 7112 609 2nd Avenue 

November 19, 2009

CONTENTS 

Main Line 

Design Editor 

Contents 

December 2009 

Adele White 

Letter From the President 

4 

Station Stewards 

5 

Executive Board 

The Vannucchi Papers 

6 

President 

John Hanley 

From the Directors 

Back to Back 

8 

9 

Vice President 

Joseph Moriarty 

Softball Rules 

Bocce 

10 

12 

Secretary 

Jim Vannucchi 

Treasurer 

Thomas O’Connor 

NoPa’s Firehouse 21 

Toy Run 

Members Corner 

Dive Trip 

14 

16 

19 

20 

Directors 

Looking Forward 

Last Alarm 

21 

23 

Cover 

Photograph by: 

Michael Mustacchi 

Design by: 

Brandon Termini 

Shon Buford 

Stephen Giacalone 

Danny Gracia 

Floyd Rollins II 

Michael Walsh 

Looking Forward 

24

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT 

Letter From the President 


John Hanley, President 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

Firefighters Local 798 wishes all 

active and retired members and their 

families a Merry Christmas. 

With the present unemployment 

rate (California’s estimate is 15%); 

you can be assured that our Toy 

Program, which gives toys to the most 

needy, is very busy. We are seeing 

many first-time recipients and we’re 

ensuring that all who apply for toys 

get them. Thank you, active and 

retired members, for your continued 

participation in this worthwhile 

endeavor. 

Mid-year cuts are upon us. Your 

Executive Board is preparing 

documents in defense of our 

NFPA (Neighborhood Firehouse 

Protection Act). Again, with high 

unemployment, we are the first 

resource for the medical needs, 

emergency and non-emergency, of 

thousands of San Franciscans, as well 

as the continued arson problem with 

people burning their houses who can’t 

afford to make their loan payments. 

As the Chief of Department said at 

our rally in June (which we have 

on film) “…we can’t cut any more 

resources”. The Union could not 

agree more. 

We must be careful to not get caught 

in a vice, or let bureaucrats start 

the age old game of city employee 

vs. city employee over cuts. We 

are the first line of defense for 

medical responses for 25% of San 

Franciscans. That message is sent 

loud and clear to those at City Hall 

or Fire Department headquarters to 

anyone planning to cut our response 

to emergencies. Explain this to the 

currently unemployed with no health 

insurance. Any City bureaucrat who 

makes a decision to cut companies 

is sacrificing emergency healthcare 

and would be the Scrooge of all 

Christmases, past and present. 

The Bocce Ball Tournament was 

a great success. Congratulations 

to Station 7 on their victorious 

championship. Some now consider 

Station 7’s Sports Program the 

equivalent of the USC Football 

Program (prior to this year). The 

question is who is the Pete Carroll? 

Your Union has insured that every 

firefighter may, at their request, get an 

H1N1 flu shot. Please ensure that you 

have enough masks and equipment 

that we don’t bring this flu home to 

our families. 

4 www.SFFDLocaL798.org 

The recent Post Street fire (Tiffany 

Building) brought about a large 

amount of smoke inhalation 

injuries. Your Union started an 

investigation, spearheaded by 

Director Danny Gracia, advocating 

that the Department obtain smoke 

samples which will be analyzed by 

a private laboratory, determining the 

complexity of all the elements of that 

smoke. 

NIOSH will be starting their study 

in the Spring on SFFD’s continuing 

cancer epidemic. Much of this work 

was done by the Union’s Cancer 

Prevention Foundation by Tom 

O’Connor and retired member, Tony 

Stefani. 

While our City’s finances and the 

State’s are in crisis mode, beware 

of the firehouse rumor mill. True 

and accurate information will be 

dispensed at Union meetings. This 

year, brothers and sisters, we must 

be on guard regarding the City and 

County budget process. 

From your Executive Board, have a 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New 

Year. 

God Bless.

2009 STATION STEWARDS 

2009 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 

Station 24 

Station 25 

Station 26 

Station 28 

Station 29 

Michael Quinn 

Carla Bisio Murphy 

Chris Salas 

Jim Mellberg 

Michael Horta 

Jose Zalba 

Derio Dito 

Christina Gibbs 

Sherman Tillman 

Ben Canedo 

Thomas Haney 

Dan Dunnigan 

Bruno Walther 

Bill Madsen 

Patric Steele 

Huckleberry Ramsay 

Dan Tauber 

Amy Swanson 

Dean Whittaker 

Steve Finnegan 

Open 

John Maguire 

Nicholas Holl 

Kinnie Jamerson 

Randy Hendricks 

Jason Woo 

Bridget Cullinane 

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 

Marcella Mc Cormack 

Tracy Courtney O’Keefe 

Robert Lopez 

Jana Wakefield 

Jean Pinto 

Fred Putt 

Dave Amituanai 

Dominic Shanley 

Open 

Janice Hoaglin 

Christian Murphy 

Mike Guajuardo 

Open 

Nathan Shapiro 

Nancy Barsotti 

Robbin Hewitt 

AP 1 Terry Woo 

AP 2 Romelia Scott 

AP 3 Ellen Stein 

BFI 

BFP 

BOE 

HQ 

RADIO 

Laura Kelly 

Tom Harvey 

Joe Cuff 

Brian Ballard 

Al Harvey 

Open 

Anesto Estrella 

Publishers Note: 

All members in good standing 

Unfortunately we have “open” positions for Station Stewards. The Station 

stewards are one of the most important links in the Union Chain. Let us 

try to fill those gaps. Please contact the Union Hall if you are interested. 

www.SFFDLocaL798.org 5

THE VANNUCCHI PAPERS 

The Vannucchi Papers 

Jim Vannucchi, secratery 


“The past is never there when 

you try to go back. It exists, 

but only in memory. To 

pretend otherwise is to invite a 

mess”. 


was quite the journey indeed... 

This past year proved to be an 

extraordinary challenge for the 

Local on many levels. Yet through 

it all, we survived as a Union due 

to the one factor that has become 

our hallmark; the unwavering and 

fierce allegiance of our membership. 

Indulge me for a brief moment as 

we consider a partial review of our 

triumphs, and sadly, our tragedies 

for 2009: 

• The revitalization of the 

SAVE OUR FIREHOUSES 

campaign to counter, effectively, 

the vindictive assault 

by elements of the CCSF 

Board of Supervisors to 

brown-out/black-out fire 

stations and to increase 

our work hours. 

• Prevailing in litigation 

against the CCSF to 

ensure that our members 

receive their full lump sum 

pay-out compensation 

when they retire. 

• A watchful eye on the replacement 

of apparatus in 

concert with maintaining a 

strong relief fleet. 

• The decimation of staffing 

at DEM and BFI due to a 

distressing budget shortfall. 

• Implementation of a 

NIOSH Cancer Study, 

Health Check, Peer Fitness 

and a keen gaze on 

vaccinations and the office 

of the SFFD Physician. 

• The heart wrenching 

injuries our brothers and 

sisters incurred at the 

Felton St. and Revere St. 

fires and the posting of a 

$25,000.00 reward by the 

membership of Local 798 

to accelerate the apprehension 

of the person(s) 

responsible for the Felton 

St. fire. 

• A Chili Cook-off and Bocce 

Tournament that flourished 

beyond our wildest 

dreams. 

• Recollecting 96 years of 

service that Station 28 provided 

to the North Beach 

Community. 

• Requiring testing on the 

harmful components our 

members were exposed to 

at the Post. St. fire. 

• Supporting the SFPOA 

when the SFLC foolishly 

resolved to ask the State 

Attorney General to dismiss 

all charges against 

Chris Cobbs 

defendants in the 1973 

cold blooded murder of a 

San Francisco Police Officer, 

supporting the Santa 

Rosa Firefighters Local 

1401 when a member 

challenged their autonomy 

and buttressing Local 2 in 

their upcoming battle. 

• A 20 th anniversary commemorative 

event to 

acknowledge the actions of 

the brave men and women 

of the Local who performed 

selflessly during the Loma 

Prietta Earthquake. 

• And of course, the ever 

radiant jewel in our crown 

of compassion; the San 

Francisco Firefighters Local 

798 Toy Program. 

The above areas only underscore 

the resolute commitment we have 

to each other as Union brothers 

and sisters; that this Local, when 

challenged by political adversaries 

with the singular ambition of 

altering our benefits and working 

conditions, will not fade quietly 

into the night. We will fight until 

the fight is ours. 

As the birth of our Savior approaches, 

may God bless each 

and every one of you. 

6 www.SFFDLocaL798.org

Training Instructor 1A 

City College of San Francisco 

Begins: January 20, 2010 (Wednesday) 

This course prepares the first line supervisors to train subordinates and speak before citizen 

groups. It introduces key concepts and methods for presenting lectures for training purposes. 

One will learn how to adapt existing Cognitive Lessons in the medical field. Along with 

Training Instructor 1B or Fire Instructor 1A this course meets the partial requirement for Fire 

Officer. Note: For further details go to the course website at: http://fog.ccsf.edu/~wlong 

Dates: 

TIME: 

January 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17 (Wednesday’s) 

08:30 to 16:00 Hours 

Course Specifics: F SC 74A -CRN: 39296 (Training Instructor 1A) -UNITS: 2.0 

INSTRUCTORS: 

Enrollment: 

Bill Long; S.F.F.D. Retired & Joel Sato, S.F.F.D. 

https://ocean.ccsf.cc.ca.us/Admissions.html 

(fill-out credit application – no testing required) 

Textbook: 

FIRE+EMERGENCY SERVICES INSTRUCTOR Author: Bizjak -ISBN: 

9780879392710 -Edition: 7 th 06 

http://www.ccsfbookstore.com/credit/CourseMaterials.aspx 

Location: SF0 – CCSF Aeronautics, Building 928, Classroom #8 

Directions: Highway 101/280/380 near SF0 Airport: take North Access Road exit; 

turn left at Clearwater Drive, and left into the parking lot. (There are a 

number of motels / hotels in the area moderately priced) 

Contact Info: 

Phone: (650) 829-0211 Fax: (650-829-0210 Email: wlong@ccsf.edu 

Total fees: $162, Registration fee $77 

paid directly to CCSF online, material fee 

$85 to be paid on the first day, Pays for 

certification and student supplement. Do 

not combine payments. 


LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR 

Letter From the Director 

Danny Gracia, Director 


“…it was the best of times, it was 

the worst of times” 

Charles Dickens 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

Season’s Greetings. I am starting 

my correspondence this month with 

a quote from A Tale of Two Cities, a 

classic by Charles Dickens, because it 

seems appropriate and relevant to our 

situation in the SFFD. 

We are all aware of the fortunate 

position that we as members of the 

SFFD (both active and retired) are 

in at this time (if you are not, you 

should be). When I say fortunate, I am 

referring to wages, benefits, schedule 

flexibility and an extended family that 

often times is better than one’s issued 

family. We are also all aware of the 

economic strife that people all over our 

country are experiencing at this time. 

Here in San Francisco, the budget 

deficit seems to be never-ending, along 

with the unending deficit seems to be 

the unending attempt of some in City 

government to balance the budget on 

the backs of City employees. 

YES, we are doing well these days, 

however, things can change. It took 

years of negotiating, fighting and 

educating politicians and the public as 

to why we receive the benefits and pay 

that we do. The City signed an MOU/ 

Contract with 798 and it sailed 

through City Hall. Yet now, when 

their continued mismanagement of tax 

dollars and failed programs continue to 

cause the deficit to escalate, they look 

to us to repair the damage. We have 

always stepped up to help, but it is 

becoming habitual and I am concerned 

that the City will just expect us to give 

back, defer, etc. whatever they want 

from here on out (not a good position 

to be in). 

As I said earlier, things change. No 

one knows what’s on the horizon; 

it could be wage freezes, a budget 

emergency declaration by the City, 

anything’s possible. I hope that the 

economy comes back sooner than 

later, but I just don’t think that we as 

members should be threatened with 

firehouse closures, rolling brownouts, 

and increased work week hours just 

because we are currently doing well. 

When the City is doing well, do they 

contact us and say “…here’s 2% more 

for your members?”….No, they do 

not, and we don’t expect them to. That 

is why we negotiate a contract in good 

faith. Rest assured that in the future 

we are going to have to fight harder 

than ever to keep what we have and 

improve benefits and wages for the 

future. 


Enough seriousness. The Bocce 

Tournament was great. If you don’t 

believe me, just check out the letter 

from the Marin Bocce Federation 

Executive Board. Unfortunately it 

does not look like we will be allowed 

to use their facility again. The fact is 

most of the reasons stated in their letter 

were either blown out of proportion or 

factually incorrect. I certainly hope 

no member from 798, either active 

or retired, had anything to do with us 

not being allowed usage of the site for 

future events as this benefits our 798 

Cancer Prevention Foundation. 

The Toy Program is in full North Pole 

mode. Please get out to old Station 30 

and volunteer for our great program. 

The 2009 Softball Season finally ended 

on October 27, 2009. Congratulations 

to Station 1 on their back to back 

championships and congratulations 

to Station 7 on the runner-up spot. 

Hopefully our 2010 Softball Season 

will be bigger and better (see Rules 

and Regulations in this issue regarding 

Softball). 

Happy Holidays to You and Yours. 

Hope to see you soon. 

DG

2009 SOFTBALL 

BACK 

By: Robert Scheppler 

It took Station 1 thirty seven years to win their 

first Local 798 softball championship and on October 

27, 2009 they were out to defend their title. They opened 

the playoffs with a quick 8-2 win against Station 2. 

Station 2 was without their top pitcher, Chad Law. Not 

even the brother combination of Al and Arnie Lee could 

stop the Alley Cats on this day. It was the first time all 

season that the Alley Cats were able to put together a 

complete line-up, with Shawn Zimmerman and Dave 

Morris making their first starts of the year. With the win 

against Station 2, it was on to the semi-finals against 

Station 13. 

Station 1 jumped out to a big lead and never looked back 

as they beat Station 13, 25-1. Their offense was led by 

team captain Chris Murphy, Phil Lee and the “Hit King” 

John Choy. They were a combined 12 for 12 in the game. 

Not even Ernesto Carrillo and his gold glove defense 

could stop station 1 and the base running abilities of John 

“Finbar” Manning. With the loss, Dave Smiley would 

return to babysitting duties as Station 1 advanced to the 

finals against undefeated league champs, Station 7. 

“Quesada looks so good today I can’t believe he’s not a 

volleyball player like the rest of the real athletes.” The 

Alley Cats had multiple put outs from their outfield. John 

Shanley robbed Ta’ape of a single as he gunned him down 

at first base from right field. Centerfielder Rick Aviles had 

two huge plays as he shot down Kevin O’Sullivan and 

Mike “Sleepy Bro” Smith at the plate. Aviles’ last assist 

was his biggest, as Dwayne Curry was trying to stretch a 

triple into an inside the park homerun, but was gunned 

down at the plate from Aviles to Scheppler to John Choy. 

Even the umpiring crew of Ruben Montero and Jack Taylor 

couldn’t mess up this call. The game was a low scoring 

affair, (5-2) and the offense was lead by Darren “Kimo” 

Bortmas. With two outs on the board, Kimo came up big 

with a single that brought in two RBI’s. Rick Aviles and 

Bob Scheppler would add some insurance runs as they hit 

back to back homeruns to close out the day. 

Station 1 would like to thank everyone who played and 

helped out for the playoff softball at Moscone Park. A 

special thanks to Steve Engler for running the entire operation. 

See you all next year as we go for a Three Peat! 

The championship game would showcase the top two underhand 

slow-pitch pitchers in the league. It was Murph 

vs. Ta’ape. Station 1 relied on their defense to slow down 

the big hitters from 7, Erik Zammarchi, 

Jose Zalba, and Tony Dirico. Both teams played a five 

man infield with Geoff Quesada and Shane Francisco 

making the difficult plays look easy. Conrad Brosas was so 

impressed with the defense he was quoted as saying 


2009 SOFTBALL RULES 

San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798 

Softball League 2010 

1. Teams to submit roster, NOT TO EXCEED THIRTY (30) PLAYERS, with $30.00 entry fee. Rosters must be 

submitted by Tuesday, February 16, 2010, Watch 15. 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. 

2009 Fines Due with roster and entry fee: 

Station 49 

$100.00 forfeits 

All regular members and unassigned members, who are in a spot and whose house has a team as of February 

16, 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 16 does not have a team will be placed on a team in the 

“Station draft”. The “Station Draft” will 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. 

A. ELIGIBILE 

1. Any permanently assigned or unassigned member to a house entered as of February 16. 

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. 

B. 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. 

C. 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 


2009 SOFTBALL RULES 

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 16 th will start our 2010 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 1.20 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 and Fees to: 

Steve Engler 

SFFD, Station 6 

135 Sanchez St 

San Francisco, CA 94114 

Please make checks payable to: Local 798 


BOCCE BALL 

Bocce 

By:Jim Vannucchi 

I am pleased to report that 

the 2 nd Annual SFFF Local 

798 Bocce Ball Tournament 

that was held on 

October 09, 2009 was an 

extraordinary success and 

blueprints for the 3rd Annual 

are underway. Over 

250 active and retired 

members from every 

plane of the Local met for 

a day of sport, food and 

comraderie with a common 

goal; to support the 

SFFF Local 798 Cancer 

Prevention Foundation. 

However, much like an 

evil tide that washes 

away everything good 

in its’ path, an amoral 

individual who has taken 

much more than they ever 

gave and who’s focus is 

one of self-gratification 

and control has chosen to 

vilify this grand event; an 

event whose sole purpose 

is to provide for those who 

are in desperate need. 

To the brothers and sisters 

who supported Bocce 

with their generosity, but 

more importantly to our 

afflicted members who 

have enjoyed some relief 

from their daily battle due 

to the resources of the 

SFFF Local 798 Cancer 

Prevention Foundation, I 

am truly, truly sorry that 

the misguided actions of 

one dishonorable individual 

has harmed us all. 

In closing, I have but one 

question to this individual; 

how do you sleep at 

night? 


www.SFFDLocaL798.org Photos by: Dawn Rosales 13

NOPA’S FIREHOUSE 21 

NoPa’s Firehouse 

Permission to reprint granted by North of Panhandle News 

By: Nicole Jones 

21 

Captain Nikki Griffey became a firefighter haphazardly. 

Bored with her old job, she explains, “I just happened to be at the 

right place at the right time.” Since being promoted to captain 

of Firehouse 21 about 16 months ago, the Richmond native says 

the best part of her job is spending 24-hour shifts with a crew she 

enjoys working with. 

Yet, with a city budget in crisis and public services like the San 

Francisco Fire Department feeling its effects, Griffey and her 

crew’s future is an uncertain one. 

This past summer, the Board of Supervisors approved to slash an 

additional $6 million from the Department. SFFD Public Informer 

Mindy Talmadge said that another budget cut may result in the closure 

of a fire company–and Firehouse 21 could be the first to go. 

Temporary closures of fire companies, also known as “brownouts,” 

were a reality for many stations in 2005 with Proposition 

F. Although Station 35 has been the only one to permanently shut 

down, Talmadge says this was due to the extreme costs required to 

earthquake retrofit the already rotting building on the pier. 

The criteria for determining which stations could be closed, Talmadge 

explains, are determined by the SFFD‘s research department. 

Call volumes and response times from one station to the 

next are analyzed to determine which closure could have the least 

impact on a particular area. Mandatory response times for an emergency 

vehicle to reach the destination of any call must be under 

four and half minutes. Talmadge says Firehouse 21 meets this 

requirement before most other companies. 

Captain Griffey and her crew, who respond to an average of five 

or six emergency calls each day, worry that there would a longer 

response time for the nursing home next door, in addition to the 

already high volume of calls in The Haight neighborhood and 

Golden Gate Park. 

NoPa neighbors are not staying quiet on the matter. Life-time resident, 

Kip Fuller considers Fire Station 21 a staple to the community, 

adding that it would be devastating if they were forced to shut 

down. “They’re the first responders to life-threatening situations,” 

he commented, adding that they are good neighbors too. The crew 

frequently shops at the Divisadero Farmers’ Market, 

wave as they drive by and host field trips for local school 

children. 

“We want all our companies up and running, and providing 

the same quality service in every neighborhood of 

The City,” Talmadge said. “We have used every creative 

bone in our body to prevent brown-outs and shut-downs, 

and we’ll continue to try.” 

Kip Fuller is starting a Facebook group with the crew 

of Firehouse 21 to create more awareness about the 

issue. Griffey says it’s important for the neighbors who 

want to ensure the future of the firehouse to write a letter 

to Mayor Newsom and talk to District 5 Supervisor 

Mirkarimi to not make further cuts. The Mayor begins 

meeting formally with citizens in February each year to 

hear their concerns about the previous budget and how to 

improve funding for public services. 

“If The City thinks the people don’t care,” Griffey said, 

“then it will be easier to get rid of us.” 

Publisher’ Note regarding article by Nicole Jones: 

I would like to acknowledge and thank Nicole Jones and 

North of Panhandle News for their gracious article and 

permission to reprint it in the Main Line. I would also 

like to acknowledge the officers and members of Station 

21 for their hard work and dedication to The City and 

its’ residents. 

However, there are a couple of inaccuracies contained 

in the article. Mindy Talmadge does not hold the rank 

of Lieutenant and is the SFFD “Public Information Officer,” 

not the “SFFD Public Informer.” Additionally, while 

“brown-outs” did occur in 2005 because of a budgetary 

shortfall, Proposition F which was approved by the 

voters, eliminated the dangerous practice of rotating 

firehouse closures, aka “brownouts.” 

Stephen V. Giacalone

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4TH ANNUAL JOHNNY V. MEMORIAL TOY RUN 

4th Annual Johnny V. MemorialToy Run 

Executive Board and Members of the San Francisco 

Firefighters Local 798: 

On behalf of the members of the Barbary Coast 

Chapter of the W&FMC we are extremely appreciative 

of the support you have given us in holding our 4 th Annual 

Johnny “V” Memorial Toy run. What a great day 

to showcase our beautiful city, our proud Fire Department 

and to bring awareness to the toy program goals 

and most of all to honor a good friend Johnny “V”. 

What a spectacular day it was. It was the largest 

showing of riders we have had ever had. The first 

year we had just over 100 riders participating. This 

year we had well over 300 riders with closer to 400 

participants. The roar and sights were truly amazing. 

We collected over 20 barrels of toys and our monetary 

donation back to the toy program tripled. A final figure 

will be sent to you as soon as all of our bills are paid. 

Threats of rain in all the forecasts were looming over 

our heads. The Mr. Doubtfires were popping out their 

heads with worrisome questions, but just like Johnny…He 

is a rose between two thorns. Rain on Friday; 

Rain on Sunday; A beautiful warm sunny day on the 

day of the event; not a cloud in the sky except for: 

Before we start the run through the city we have a 

tribute towards Johnny V. We have Larry McDonald of 

16 Truck and a group of volunteers raise the 65’ ladder 

to honor John. As the ladder was raised and Larry 

was climbing the ladder to salute John, I looked over 

my left shoulder in the clear sky was one large cloud 

formation (almost above Visitation Valley). The cloud 

formation was in the form of a “V”…I felt it and know it 

he was thanking all of us. Believe it or not. 

We had a successful event and without your help and 

support it couldn’t have happened. I personally would 

like to thank Local 798, the Executive Board (if I can 

interject, the members of the board who were there), 

the San Francisco Fire Credit Union, the San Francisco 

Fire Dept., Engine 8, DJ Kash for all your fine 

biker tunes, to all the fire stations that donated shirts 

and memorabilia towards our raffle, the San Francisco 

Giants and Lou Seal, Sally, Jill and the Toy Program 

and a very much appreciated thank you to all the volunteers 

that helped with registration, food, hospitality, 

raffle, collection of toys and after party, thank you. 

The highlight of our event is the raising of the 65’ ladder. 

I would have guessed that the ride or the after 

party. The most memorable and the most feedback 

we receive is the tribute we have for Johnny V and 

the raising of the ladder. The Barbary Coast chapter is 

mainly comprised of retired and active SFFD. What a 

way to showcase our Fire Department with its history, 

traditions and pride. We had firefighters attend this 

event from all over Northern California and even as 

far away as Santa Barbara. Not, only the fireman but 

all that attended were in awe of the tribute. It made us 

retired guys proud to claim we are part of the traditions 

and history of San Francisco. 

I am preparing an article and pictures of the event to 

be included in the Mainline as soon as I receive the 

pictures. 

Respectfully and fraternally yours; 

Phil Leanio, SFFD retired 

President, W&FMC, Barbary Coast Chapter 


4TH ANNUAL JOHNNY V. TOY RUN MEMMORIAL

GREAT-WEST RETIREMENT SERVICES ® 

Your San Francisco Deferred Compensation Plan Provider 

On January 30, 2009, your San Francisco Deferred 

Compensation Plan (SFDCP) account was transferred 

from ING to Great-West Retirement Services 

(Great-West). Since then, we’ve been working hard and 

conducting group meetings throughout the City and 

County of San Francisco to introduce who we are and 

what services we provide to all SFDCP participants. 

AN OVERVIEW OF GREAT-WEST 

Your new retirement provider, Great-West, is a business 

unit of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company. 

With more than a century of experience in providing 

financial security for Americans, Great-West Life & 

Annuity serves millions of customers through a range of 

retirement savings products and services. Headquartered 

in the metro Denver area with offices around the 

country—including local representatives to provide you 

with on-site service—it is a leading provider of employersponsored 

retirement savings plans. 

Great-West Life & Annuity is rated by a number of 

nationally recognized rating agencies. The ratings 

represent the opinion of the rating agencies regarding the 

financial strength of the company and its ability to meet 

ongoing obligations to policyholders. Great-West Life & 

Annuity’s current ratings, which have been in effect since 

July 2003, are: 

• A.M. Best Company, Inc.: A+ (Superior; highest 

of 10 categories) for financial strength, operating 

performance and business profile. (Affirmed January 

22, 2009) 

• Fitch Ratings: AA+ (Very Strong; second highest 

of nine categories) for financial strength. (Affirmed 

April 20, 2009) 

• Moody’s Investors Service: Aa3 (Excellent; second 

highest of nine categories) for financial strength. 

(Affirmed February 12, 2009) 

• Standard & Poor’s: AA (Very Strong; second highest 

of nine categories) for financial strength. (Affirmed 

February 12, 2009) 

YOUR LOCAL SFDCP REPRESENTATIVES 

Six dedicated, full-time, local representatives serve the 

SFDCP exclusively. 1 

• Javier Obando – Regional Director 

• James Ha – Sr. Account Executive 

• Alyssa Zagrobski – Account Executive 

• Angel Mario – Account Executive 

• Joe Collins – Account Executive 

• Lenora Jenkins – Account Executive 

These representatives provide the following services to 

help you manage your SFDCP account: 

• Counseling services for those enrolling, retiring or 

who have questions during their career with the City 

and County 

• Risk management tools 

• Information about long-term investing 

• Educational seminars on a variety of financial topics 

Great-West 

is here for you! 

Visit Your Local SFDCP Service Center 

One Front Street, Suite 810 


Phone: (877) 457-9321 

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday 

1 Representatives of GWFS Equities, Inc. are not registered investment advisers 

and cannot offer financial, legal or tax advice. Please consult with your financial 

planner, attorney and/or tax adviser as needed. 

2 Access to KeyTalk and the Web site may be limited or unavailable during 

periods of peak demand, market volatility, systems upgrades/maintenance or 

other reasons. 

Securities, when offered, are offered through GWFS Equities, Inc., a wholly 

owned subsidiary of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company. 

Great-West Retirement Services ® refers to products and services provided 

by Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company and its subsidiaries and 

affiliates. GWFS Equities, Inc. is not affiliated with ING. Great-West Retirement 

Services ® and KeyTalk ® are registered service marks of Great-West Life & 

Annuity Insurance Company. Not intended for use in New York. ©2009 

Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company. All rights reserved. 

Form# GWRS Overview (10/09) PT92196 

Manage Your Account: Visit www.sfdcp.org | Call KeyTalk ® at (888) SFDCP4U (888-733-2748) 2 


MEMBERS CORNER 

Members Corner 

Local 798, 

The enclosed check is 

in memory of my father, 

Bob Callahan, and all 

those who have capably 

served as leaders of 

Local 798. 

Mike Callahan 

Class of 64 

Please accept this donation in memory 

of my father, Bill Moe Sr. He was 

and continues to be my hero and 

inspiration. Tillerman Truck18, retired 

September 21, 1981 and called home 

to heaven on September 14, 2009 

Love and miss you Dad, 

Bill Moe Jr. 

Retired Bureau of Fire Investigators 

Local 798 

The enclosed donation is in 

memory of Joe “Bubba” Conway. 

Truck 10 Tillerman for 

27 years. Miss ya! 

“Jimmy” 

Ret. Stn. 10 

Dear Local 798 

Thank you for the past, 

present and future endeavors 

of Local 798. To all 

the officers, directors and 

station stewards. I will 

always be deeply grateful! 

Dennis Kennedy 

Retired Fireboat 

To the Officers, Board of Directors, 

and office personnel of Local798 

Thank you all for your dedicaiton and 

hard work. Without your care and 

concern for our best interest, it would 

be impossible for both working and 

retired personnel to enjoy our benefits. 

Please accept the enclosed 

check and use as needed. 

Thank you 

Sincerely, 

Bill DeMattei 


Thank you for sending 

the Mainline. 

Mike Kiser 


TOY PROGRAM DIVE TRIP 

Toy Program 

By: Art Citron 

Dive Trip 

Under clear skies, SFFD 

skin divers and others were assembled 

once more by our dive 

master Bill Bassett at the Stillwater 

Cove Campground on the 

Sonoma County Coast. The goal 

is to gather abalone for the benefit 

of the SFFD Union Local #798’s 

Toy Program Luncheon. Clear 

but cold and bright skies greeted 

divers on a day when the ocean 

was looking very inhospitable. 

However, divers found a sheltered 

cove and were successful in bagging 

several limits for the annual 

luncheon held two days later in 

the Toy Program headquarters at 

“Old Engine 30”. 

Upon returning to the campground 

from the dive, Bob Anderson and 

Gary Montague once more fired 

up their camp stove and cooking 

oil and prepared a fish fry to 

remember. Bob and Gary personally 

provided the fish through 

their spear fishing efforts while Bill 

Ferguson provided several bottles 

of his outstanding wine. Infused 

with the excitement of the camp, 

the campfire oratory provided 

many humorous tales that entertained 

until late. An added attraction 

this year was an unexpected 

and exceptionally fine harmonica 

performance provided by Time 

Callen. You can add ‘musician’ 

to this man’s already impressive 

resume. 

Upon the return to Old Engine 30, 

many volunteers sliced, trimmed, 

and pounded abalone for lunch 

under the watchful and experienced 

eyes of Doc Stonum and 

Bob Moore. Everyone attending 

the lunch enjoyed a gourmet 

meal. 

The dive day is very long but also 

enormously satisfying. If you are 

a skin diver, seriously consider 

coming out in the future. First 

time attendees this year were 

firefighter Matt Sweeney and 

retired firefighter Tim Callen. If 

you are interested in participating 

in the next outing, please contact 

Bill Bassett (650-395.3196). The 

last Wednesday of October is the 

annual date of the dive and camp 

out. And finally, special thanks 

to Firefighters Local #798 for its 

continuing support of the Toy Program. 

Also, we extend a major 

thank you to the skin divers (and 

non-divers) who took their personal 

time to participate in the event. 

Bob Anderson 

Gary Montague 

George Bruce 

Kevin Callanan 

Art Citron 

Bill Ferguson 

Harry Vogl 

Bob Kosta 

Jimmy Labioda 

Doc Stonum 

Bob Moore 

Bill Norton 

Karl Selchau 

Mel Patsel 

Dan Gregori 

Bill Bassett 

Jim Novello 

Dave Haberlin 

Dave Sweeney 

Tim Callen 

Dan Garibaldi 

Rudy Erler 

Alex King 



RETIRED FIREMEN AND WIDOWS ASSOCIATION OF THE SFFD 

Retired Firemen and 

Widows Association 

Of the San Francisco 

Fire Department 

On January 10, 2010, Ms. Clare Murphy, Executive 

Director of our Retirement System, will introduce 

Mr. Gary A. Amelio, our new Executive Director. 

For many years Clare has kept our retirement 

funds safe and the system functioning efficiently. 

Mr. Amelio will take charge in January. Come and 

hear his views on our retirement system and its 

future challenges. The Retired Firemen and Widows 

will meet on January 10th at 2pm at Saint 

Gabriel School, 40th Avenue and Ulloa Street. 

Refreshments will be sreved following the meeting. 

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. 

The Asssociation meets bi-monthly on the second Sunday of the month at 

St. Gabriels’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. 

Dues to the Association are $10 a year per member or $100 for a lifetime 

membership. For further information contact Jim McCoy, President, at 650- 

291-7196. 


2009 LAST ALARM 

January 

Harry Colen 

Lou Garibaldi 

Jim Goodwin 

Ted “Pinky”Hesse 

March 

Richard Wind 

April 

John Ford 

Don Horgan 

Michael P. Kenney 

May 

Ed McHugh 

June 

Frederick Hartmann 

July 

Doug Roberts 

August 

Elmer “Slim” Ballard 

Michael Heglesen 

October 

Harry Conry 

Robert Donahue 

Photograph by: robdudgeon@sfgov.org 

LAST ALARM 


November 

Joe Conway 

Jim Cook 

Ernie Marciano 

Don O’Brien 

December 

Edward Eichel 

Bill Favilla 

Edward Murphy 

William O’Brien 

John Paulin

LOOKING FORWARD 2010 

LOOKING FORWARD – 2010 

By: Tony Stefani 

For those of you who were not fortunate enough to work with Tony Stefani, he is a 

retired captain from Station one, a cancer survivor and chairman of our CPF Board. 

When the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer 

Prevention Foundation was formed in 2006, our Mission 

Statement stressed “prevention and early detection” 

as our primary goals. We have made progress 

with our “early detection” by offering our bladder 

cancer screening as well as our colorectal screening 

in the last few years. In 2010 we will once again offer 

a screening for cancers of the genitourinary system to 

both active and retired firefighters. You will all be getting 

more information on this screening shortly. 

We have taken our first step in the “prevention” of 

cancer by having 12 firefighters volunteer to have their 

blood drawn after working fires. This was done in order 

to detect the possible residual effects of chemical 

exposures during both extinguishment and overhaul 

operations. By the time this article is published, we 

will hopefully have those results. 

The San Francisco 

Firefighters Cancer 

Prevention 

Foundation is 

dedicated to the 

prevention and early 

detection of cancer in 

firefighters. 

This year the National 

Institute for 

Occupational Safety 

& Health (NIOSH) 

will begin conducting 

an epidemiological 

study of mortality 

and cancer 

incidence in our 

Department looking 

back as far as 

the 1940’s to present 

day. The study 

will also include 

Chicago, Los Angeles 

County, Washington (D.C.), Houston and Fairfax 

County (Virginia). This should prove to be very 

interesting. 

Even though this is a pilot study with the possibility 

of a larger study in the near future, we should still be 

able to gain valuable information that will help the 

Department assess the level of protection necessary 

to lower the risk of toxic chemical exposures to 

our firefighters. The questions that this poses are: 

How will the level of protection for firefighters be increased? 

Will the Department require the SCBA’s be 

worn throughout the extinguishment and that overhaul 

processes like other departments do? Will the overhaul 

process begin only after complete and thorough 

ventilation takes place? These are just a few of the 

questions, among many, that will have to be addressed. 

But the bottom line in all of this remains the 

same and that is the prevention of a hideous disease 

that has taken the lives of many in the Department. 


On a lighter note but an important one, the San 

Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation 

would like to thank Tom Abbott for organizing the Alcatraz 

Swim that turned out to be another success. We 

would also like to thank Jim Vannucchi and Local 798 

for putting together the Local 798 Bocce Ball Tournament 

and many thanks to all of you who participated 

in these events. Both events are major fundraisers for 

our Foundation. 

We invite everyone to become a “fan” of the San 

Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation 

on Facebook. It is an excellent way for us to keep 

everyone updated on our studies and on current information 

from our Board meetings. 

My Best to All of You.

SECOND ANNUAL MARIN COUNTY 

FREE-THROW CHAMPIONSHIP 

Drake High Gymnasium 

January 23, 2010 

Contests and trophies for all grades, all age groups, 

male and female, parents and children 

Qualifying Round: 8:30AM-11:15AM* 

(most of 20 attempts, followed by most consecutive free throws made.) 

Championship Round: 11:15AM 

Awards presented after the championship round 

Entry fee: $5.00 under age 14, $10 all others 

All proceeds from this year’s event will go toward helping women and children 

in need to get back on their feet. Help will be provided for food, clothes, utilities, 

rental assistance and other basic 

living requirements. 

Apply in person at the event, or send the application and entry fee(s) no later 

than January 11 to,SVDP, St Rita’s, PO Bo 833, Fairfax, CA 94978. (Please make 

checks payable to: SVdP/St. Rita’s.)Tax deductible donations are welcomed and 

may be sent to the same address. 

* Schools, school teams and CYO teams may make special arrangements to 

have qualifying rounds before January 11 h . 

A t t e n t i o n C a r E n t h u s i a s t s 

All Local 798 Members Active and Retired, We are starting a Car Club for gatherings 

and events and to meet people who are interested in: 

Muscle Cars 

Hot Rods 

Classics 

If interested please contact: 

Danny Gracia 

Station 1 or cell (415) 608-7921 

Geoff Quesada 

www.SFFDLocaL798.org Station 1 or cell (415) 860-619725

Meghan Doherty, CFP ® 

Financial Professional 

CA Insurance License #0C91224 

meghan.doherty@axa-advisors.com 

AXA Advisors, LLC 

275 Battery Street 

Suite 700 


Tel. (415) 378-3097 • (415) 276-2190 

Fax (415) 391-8358 

INVESTMENTS 

• Fixed-Income Investments 

• Equity Investments 

• Education Planning 

• Traditional Brokerage 

• Fee-Based Brokerage 

• College Savings Plans 

FINANCIAL STRATEGIES 

• Asset Allocation 

• Retirement Planning 

• Education Funding 

• Survivorship Planning 

• Estate Planning Strategies* 

• Financial Planning 

Eligible applicants are graduating 

seniors in high school who will be 

attending an accredited College or 

University in the U.S. 

Selection is by lottery held at the 

annual May membership meeting. 

Applications can be obtained at 

the Union office, 1139 Mission 

Street. A 100 word essay about 

why your parent belongs to a 

Union should be submitted with 

your application. 

Applications must be recieved by 

April 6, 2010 

RISK MANAGEMENT 

• Life Insurance 

• Annuities 

• Long-Term Care Insurance 

• Business Planning 

• Disability Income Insurance 

• Securities & Fixed-Income 

Investing 

www.axa-equitable.com 

*Funded through the use of life insurance and other financial products. 

Securities and investment advisory services offered through AXA Advisors, LLC (NY, NY 212-314-4600), member FINRA, SIPC. Annuity 

and insurance products offered through AXA Network Insurance Agency of California, LLC and its affiliates. Meghan Doherty is licensed 

to conduct business in the state of California. GE-51723(a) (9/09) 


THE INSIDE BOX

Main Line is the official 

publication of the San 

Francisco Fire Fighters 

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. 

John Hanley 

President, Local 798 

San Francisco Fire Fighters 


MAIN LINE 

1139 Mission Street 


Nonprofit Org. 

US POSTAGE 

PAID 

San Francisco, CA 

Permit No. 6926 

Attention All Members: 

We now have Local 798 

apparel available at the 

hall; please come check it 

out.

MAINLINEDecember 2009 - San Francisco Firefighters Local 798

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