The experience of Fire Ops 101 helps elected officials to understand why fire fighters need pensions.

Sacramento Local President Brian Rice remembers one of his elected officials emerging from the flashover scenario during Fire Ops 101, exclaiming, “I can’t believe you do this every day.” It was the opportunity for Rice to talk about the long-term effects the job has on the body—and why fire fighters need a good pension. “I explained to him that he was just exposed to toxins that will stay with him 30 years. It’s why we have presumptive health laws. That’s when it really clicked, when he saw it first hand.” 

Sacramento has found that Fire Ops 101 has helped strengthen important relationships between fire fighters and elected officials. Rice explains, “It helps us show them what we do. It brought a new level of understanding to them that can’t be said with words or pictures.” Since the experience, the local has observed elected officials express a new perspective of the fire department at council meetings. In addition, Local 522 has improved its relationships with elected officials, and hopes to run a Fire Ops 101 event every other year. Their advice for running an effective Fire Ops 101 is to stay flexible throughout the day when challenges arise.