President Letter

Randy Marsile President

The Summer heat is on and the 2021 Fire Season has become very active, along with other types of emergency incidents. We are in a severe drought along with extremely hot and dry conditions across California including the Pacific Northwest.  There are many California strike teams currently assigned to fires in Oregon and other jurisdictions throughout California. I am Praying for no injuries or LODDs at any incident. So please remember to review your 10s and 18s before you start a shift on the fire line.    

The Summer Edition highlights Anaheim Fire and Rescue Department. I would like to thank Chief Pat Russell and Natali Rudometkin for providing the article on their department. I would also like to thank Chaplin Fernando Villacana, Don Croucher, and OCFA PIO, for their contributions to the magazine. If you have pictures or articles for the magazine, please send them to me at rmarsile@yahoo.com   

As we move toward the fall, Orange County Fire Services Association will be co-hosting the 2021 Orange County Fire Services Firefighter Memorial at the Firefighter Monument at Irvine Park on October 12th.  Also, we are hoping to resume the “Shopping with a Firefighter” at Christmas that supports the Orangewood Home.    

The Big John Fire Education Program continues to be on-hold due to many schools not participating at this time due to Covid 19. Hopefully this Fall we will have a better vision of how the Big John Program can fit into schools Fire Prevention education curriculum.  Big John attended the Orange Park Acres 4th of July Parade, and in November may be at the Mission Viejo’s annual city-wide Holiday Tree Lighting with Santa.

Check out the latest on the California Fire Museum/Safety Learning Center, The CFM/SLC  has moved onto the Great Park Property and is currently occupying a hanger on the north end of the property. They are in negotiations with the Great Park officials for a larger hanger to ultimately occupy and start renovating into a museum and safety learning center.        

The Huntington Beach Firefighters will be holding their “Great Balls of Fire” Charity Golf Tournament on December 13, 2021 at the Huntington Club. This event is always a lot of fun, so see the flyer in this magazine and come out and support our brothers at Huntington Beach Fire.       

Thanks again to the Orange County Fire Chiefs Association for their ongoing support to our organization, along with the Huntington Beach Firefighters, and Fountain Valley Firefighters Association.  We appreciate their long-term support of donors, and the other members and retirees that support OCFSA. 

Randy Marsile
President
Orange County Fire Services Association