Brothers and Sisters,
Tuesday, Volunteer Fire Captain Ray Russell, RCOFD Chief John Hawkins, Southern Operations Chief Candace Gregory, new San Diego Unit Chief Howard Windsor, Volunteer Program Services Manager Jeff LaRusso and myself attended the Board of Supervisors meeting in Riverside. On the agenda were two items that specifically impact volunteers in this county.
One item was a resolution to acknowledge the contributions of Deputy Chief Howard Windsor. Chief Windsor has been assigned as the new Unit Chief for San Diego county. After a long and successful career in Riverside, Chief Windsor transitioned to his new role May 1. During the last two years, I have had the pleasure of working with Chief Windsor on a number of occasions. He is a truly genuine person who has been extremely supportive of our efforts. Always with a big smile on his face, Chief Windsor maintained a constant open door policy and addressed issues without delay. I have to admit that I am sorry to see him leave, but our loss is a tremendous gain for San Diego County. I hope that we will have another chance to work with him in the future here in Riverside.
The other item was a resolution to honor your contributions during 2007. The Board issued a proclamation proclaiming the week of April 27 – May 3, Volunteer Firefighter Week. The entire resolution can be read at http://www.clerkoftheboard.co.riverside.ca.us/agendas/2008/04_29_2008/02.03.pdf; however, I want to share with you a few sections;
“Whereas, the dedication of more than 900 professionally trained men and women throughout Riverside County, serving as Volunteer Firefighters, is evident as they readily respond night and days to calls for assistance;
Be it proclaimed by the Board of Supervisors… proclaims the week of April 27 through May 3, 2008 “Volunteer Firefighters Week” throughout the County of Riverside and calls upon all citizens and civic organizations to acquaint themselves with and recognize the important role played in our safety and well-being by the Volunteer Firefighters in this County.”
It was an honor to accept this proclamation on your behalf. Your dedication and hard work makes a difference every day throughout Riverside County and I am proud to say I am a part of this organization.
2007 was a great year for us. Collectively, we donated approximately 330,000 hours (which equates to an in-kind contribution of approximately $6.6 million in services). The Volunteer Firefighter Academy graduated dozens of new recruits who are well trained and well prepared to enter the fire service. Throughout the County, we participated in an untold amount of Public Relations, Awareness Building and Educational Events as well as served thousands of pancakes, BBQ sandwiches and other fine “gourmet” meals to members of the community. We responded to thousands of emergency incidents including the disastrous fires of October and November and we were there for our fellow neighbors when they needed us. In addition to emergency response, we worked pro-actively with numerous humanitarian causes to make a real difference.
In April, we led the charge to build awareness for organ donation through our partnership with Donate Life California. We collected thousands of dollars, conducted press conferences and initiated a challenge to all citizens of this county to sign up to be a donor. Then dozens of us joined a Cal Fire brother who desperately needed a lung transplant at the Donate Life Walk in Fullerton, Ca. Today, he has renewed life as he recently received the lung transplant that he so desperately needed. I like to believe that our efforts helped contribute to his successful recovery.
On several occasions we joined the nation in supporting our troops. Through financial support and donated time we assisted Yellow Ribbon America, a support organization helping injured soldiers returning from war, as well the Family Readiness Group, which supports the families of troops deployed overseas.
At a local level, we worked with rotary, church groups and other agencies providing volunteers and services for such events as the Teen Expo, which helps children establish career goals and works to keep them off the street.
Finally, during the holiday season we worked together with our Cal Fire partners in collecting thousands of toys, food and other donations for needy families. In just the Jurupa Valley alone, nearly 4000 toys were collected. During the annual Adopt-a-Family program, Volunteers and Career personnel delivered toys, food, school supplies, hygiene items, and other necessities to 45+ area families. Santa Claus and an army of firefighters and community volunteers delivered the items using a convoy of fire equipment and U-haul trucks. The first delivery was taken early on December 9th to a community family whose sole parent was terminally ill. Fortunately, we were able to assist the family so that their two small children could spend a final joyful Christmas with their mother. Unfortunately, she passed away just a few days later. One of the final deliveries was to the family of a beautiful four year old child who also was suffering from cancer on Christmas Eve. Thankfully, she is still with us today fighting hard to beat what ails her. Similar events happened throughout the county as we worked together to make a difference in lives of hundreds in need.
Many volunteers have also went on to become career firefighters taking with them a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience that they gained through being a volunteer firefighter. They continue to serve this and other communities with the same passion and bigheartedness. For some, the volunteer program was a catalyst out of a life of poverty or need and because of the program they were afforded opportunities that they may not have had otherwise. Others, were directed away from potential derailers as they joined a family of loyal public servants instead of a gang or other harmful groups. Most, just took it as a chance to give back to their community in thanks for the blessing they have.
The true spirit of community was shown everyday in this county by all of you. You took time away from your families, friends and lives to make a difference. I know that the true rewards come in the forms of smiles and hugs from those who you touched; however, we have also been recognized formally by our Chief, Community Leaders and now with this wonderful proclamation.
We were not without challenges, but we worked together to get through them and because of our commitment we have a better program than ever. We can celebrate our success; but we cannot rest on our laurels. We must train harder, work smarter and be better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. Being a Volunteer Firefighter takes tremendous commitment and we have to each make sure that we are 110% ready for it. There are new challenges awaiting us and through your hard work we will continue to overcome them.
I am proud to serve as your Chairman and I look forward to working with each of you in the days to come.
Be safe, be prepared and most importantly be proud of what you have done and what you will continue to do for the citizens of Riverside County.
Sincerely,
Angel Sanchez, Jr.
Chairman
Riverside County Volunteer Firefighters Association
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