2023 April President’s Message

Wildfire Alert Cameras
An MOU has been under development and a data-sharing platform strategy is also underway.  Members may recall that last year the Alert cameras were moved to a different platform without warning end-users, resulting in major disruptions.  CalChiefs and the Western Chiefs have been working diligently to ensure that this kind of change and outcome does not occur again.

Additionally, Alert California recently announced the launching of new tools designed to understand and adapt to natural disasters. Learn More

CALEMSA Strategic Plan
Interim Director Liz Basnett has been on maternity leave and the release of the Strategic Plan for public comment has not yet occurred.  Director Basnett is scheduled to return to work in May and CalChiefs will resume their bi-weekly meetings with Director Basnett and the EMSA staff.

CFED
CFED will again be hosted in Indian Wells.  We are excited to share that the California Fire Chiefs Association will be providing two days of pre-conference program content beginning May 21.  On Sunday the program will be focused on wildfire, and on Monday on EMS issues.  Program details can be found on the CFED website.  We are very excited about the pre-conference lineup and hope that you can attend.

Registration is now open, and more information can be found on the conference website: https://www.cfedwest.com/.

PP-GEMT
We continue to hear that more Managed Care Plans (MCP) have begun to include the add-on rates for MediCal transports and some retroactive payments have been received. Please keep the DHCS team updated on your progress with your MCPs using the AB1705 email address.

Our CalChiefs implementation team had a meeting with DHCS on May 3rd regarding the Voluntary Rate Range IGT Program that many of us have been a part of in the past. The program was delayed by 2 years due to the State having to deal with some Federal compliance issues. The program is back up and running and will include the last two years in retro catch-up payments. More to follow from your MCPs.

We have been made aware of some agencies that had included the costs of our first responder firefighters in the recently submitted cost reports and have been told by DHCS that these cost reports will not be accepted as submitted. As of the writing of this update CalChiefs, working closely with CPF, are researching a solution. We will keep our members updated on the progress of the conversations. 

US Fire Administration
On April 20, 2023, at 1000 hours US Fire Administrator Dr Lori Moore-Merrell and Deputy Administrator Tonya Hoover attended a Press Event as part of their cross-country Climate Driver Wildfire Across America Tour, at SacMetro Station 68.  CalChiefs President Tubbs, along with Northern Area 7 Director Chief Reggie Freeman attended, along with FDAC Past President Jim Comisky and CFSA President Eddie Sells.

The event highlighted the recent release of the Proceedings Report from the 2022 USFA Summit on Fire Prevention and Control.  It further addressed the fact that America is still burning and facing varied challenges such as:

• The growing threat and incidence of wildfire due to climate change
• The need to improve, implement and enforce existing codes and standards to protect our most vulnerable communities. 
  
• The need to develop or enhance recruitment programs to address pending staffing challenges and for a diverse and well-trained American fire service
  
• The need to reduce the exposure of firefighters to cancer-causing chemicals. 
  
• The imperative need to provide mental resilience training and support the mental health of our first responders.

We are your Association, and your participation and feedback are critical to our effectiveness and value.  

Chris Tubbs, President