November 10, 2018 – As a quarter-million Californians fled from the path of a series of deadly wildfires, and thousands of firefighters did battle on the front lines, President Trump issued a statement threatening to withhold federal disaster aid and attacking California fire policies.
California Professional Firefighters President Brian K. Rice issued the following response to the president’s threat.
“The president’s message attacking California and threatening to withhold aid to the victims of the cataclysmic fires is Ill-informed, ill-timed and demeaning to those who are suffering as well as the men and women on the front lines.
“At a time when our every effort should be focused on vanquishing the destructive fires and helping the victims, the president has chosen instead to issue an uninformed political threat aimed squarely at the innocent victims of these cataclysmic fires.
“At this moment, thousands of our brother and sister firefighters are putting their lives on the line to protect the lives and property of thousands. Some of them are doing so even as their own homes lay in ruins. In my view, this shameful attack on California is an attack on all our courageous men and women on the front lines.
“The president’s assertion that California’s forest management policies are to blame for catastrophic wildfire is dangerously wrong. Wildfires are sparked and spread not only in forested areas but in populated areas and open fields fueled by parched vegetation, high winds, low humidity and geography. Moreover, nearly 60 percent of California forests are under federal management, and another two-thirds under private control. It is the federal government that has chosen to divert resources away from forest management, not California.
“Natural disasters are not “red” or “blue” – they destroy regardless of party. Right now, families are in mourning, thousands have lost homes, and a quarter-million Americans have been forced to flee. At this desperate time, we would encourage the president to offer support in word and deed, instead of recrimination and blame.”
California Professional Firefighters represents more than 30,000 front line firefighters and paramedics in California. CPF is the state council of the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
Well spoken Mr. Rice. Thank you for rebuking the President and focusing our thoughts, energy and action where it should be.
Thank you, Mr. Rice. I am appalled by the President’s insensitive and false remarks.
An inspirational response to our President’s inflammatory comments. Thank you sir.
Thank you Mr. Rice, I am sharing your message with all of my friends and followers.
Thank you, Mr. Rice for your reasoned and compassionate response to the President’s remarks on our behalf. It’s outrageous that you had to spend your valuable time schooling a moron in the middle of this on-going disaster. There is not one American who does not realize and honor the selfless, truly heroic dedication and effort of the men and women who risk their lives as fire fighters. Oh, right, there is one. Thank you for your service and amazing effort on behalf of California. Please know, that unofficially, there is a tremendous amount of gratitude for what you are all doing. (Presidentially, not so much.) And we pray that all the fire fighters come through it alive and well and the President is quickly removed before causing any further damage.
WELL SAID. Thank you.
Brian rice this country supports you , thank you for standing up to the president that seems to be heartless, we the people of this great country will always support the good that fire fighters do in saving lives & putting there lives in harms way , Again thank you proud American that agrees there is no blue or red when lives matter !