SACRAMENTO – During the first week of April, Fire Marshal and Emergency Services Association (FMESA) 2nd Vice President Shelly Fontes reached out to new CALFIRE communications operators in St. Helena and at the fire academy in Ione to introduce herself and to speak about the importance of union membership.

“Even if you are not involved in the actual work our union does, it is so important to support the union’s efforts to improve salaries, benefits and working situations,” said Fontes.  “Not only are you supporting the work that is being done on your behalf, you have access to benefits and services that can help you along the way, including access to a Legal Defense Plan which no communications operator should be without.”

“We want to extend a warm welcome to our newest members of FMESA and the California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA),” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  “Your jobs as CALFIRE communications operators can be very stressful and exhausting and we are here to support you.  Thank you for joining our family of thousands of public safety professionals and recognizing the importance of  union membership.”