Last week, the Professional Firefighters of Sonoma County Local 1401 traveled to Sacramento to meet with state legislators and advocate for critical policies that protect firefighters on the job and into retirement.

As the demands and risks of our profession continue to evolve, so too must the laws and protections that support those who respond. During our time at the Capitol, our delegation focused on three urgent priorities:

Strengthening Retirement Rights
Twelve years after the implementation of the Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA), AB 1383 is a necessary step to realign the retirement system with the demands of high-risk careers like firefighting.

Firefighters face chronic exposure to life-threatening hazards and often suffer job-related illnesses and injuries. Yet under current PEPRA rules, many must work longer, often well into their 50s and 60s, before they are eligible for full retirement, even as the job grows more physically and mentally demanding.

AB 1383 would address these inequities and create realistic retirement pathways for firefighters. As the materials state:

“Put most simply – the longer a firefighter is forced to work, the more likely it is they will develop career-amplified, job-caused illnesses, thereby incurring significant workers’ compensation and industrial disability retirement cost.”

L1401 supports efforts to reduce preventable disability retirements and workers' comp claims by allowing firefighters to retire with dignity at an age that reflects the toll of their service—not a one-size-fits-all formula.

Protecting Firefighters from Toxic Chemicals in PPE
Modern turnout gear contains PFAS,“forever chemicals” linked to cancer and other serious health issues. Firefighters are uniquely at risk due to constant contact with these materials. L1401 called for accelerated legislative efforts to remove PFAS from firefighter protective equipment and to fund research into safe, PFAS free alternatives.

Addressing the Hazards of EV Battery and Energy Storage Fires
As energy storage systems rapidly expand across California, so too does the risk to firefighters responding to incidents involving lithium-ion batteries. SB 283 addresses a critical gap in oversight. Currently, these facilities can be permitted locally without consistent statewide safety standards. There are no unified guidelines for fire prevention, inspection, or coordination with local fire departments.

Recent incidents have shown that fires involving BESS facilities can release extremely toxic chemicals like hydrogen fluoride, acrolein, styrene, and PFAS. SB 283 would ensure these facilities are held to strict safety standards and that the firefighters who respond to these events have clear procedures, proper protection, and agency coordination to stay safe.

As technology and fireground conditions change, our advocacy must keep pace. L1401 is committed to being on the front lines not only in emergencies, but also in the halls of government, making sure our members’ voices are heard and their safety is prioritized.

We thank our local representatives who took the time to meet with us and listen. Together, we can build a safer future for the fire service and the communities we serve.

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