FOLSOM – On February 15-16, 2023, the Fire Marshal Emergency Services Association (FMESA) Board of Directors met in Folsom for the Board’s 2023 first quarter meeting and to review white papers submitted for upcoming contract negotiations.
“Due to workload and then the Covid 19 pandemic, this was the first time we have met in person since 2019 and it was long overdue,” said FMESA President BJ Jones. “Our FMESA Board members traveled from throughout the state spending full days and some evenings reviewing and editing white paper submissions by members from OES, State Fire Marshal, Communication Operators-Cal Fire and Public Safety & Consumer Protection units within FMESA. FMESA directors reviewed proposals and discussed whether submitted proposals aligned with the member concerns to show strength in numbers. FMESA will draft final versions of accepted proposals and submit them to CSLEA’s negotiations team for review, research and final drafting for presentation during negotiations.”
The submissions FMESA worked on will be in support of the CSLEA B/U 7 negotiations team. The final versions will be submitted to CSLEA this week for review.
CSLEA will be working on per diem concerns for work related state employee travel as well other topics brought forth to FMESA.
CSLEA CFO Ricardo Sanchez and Membership Representative Marco Castro attended a portion of the FMESA meeting to introduce themselves to Board members they have not met. CFO Sanchez gave an update of the negotiation process as well historical overview of past successful contract proposals.
“Ricardo’s insight and dedication to our collective cause was inspiring and was the needed push for FMESA board members to work through the white paper review process,” said Jones. “We appreciate his efforts and support. In addition, we thank CSLEA Senior Counsel Andrea Perez for assisting our newest Board members with site representation material.”
From left to right: Jose Sanabria VP OSFM, Thomas Becerra Director PSCP, Jena Garcia Director OSFM, Shelly Fontes VP ComOp, Garrison Fontes – FMESA temporary mascot, BJ Jones President, Tonya Castro Director ComOp, Richardo Sanchez CFO CSLEA, Nate Ditmore VP PSCP, Christi Hunt Director ComOp.
FMESA Board Members in attendance included:
BJ Jones, President
Jose Sanabria VP OSFM,
Thomas Becerra Director PSCP,
Jena Garcia Director OSFM,
Shelly Fontes VP ComOp,
Tonya Castro Director ComOp,
Nate Ditmore VP PSCP,
Christi Hunt Director ComOp,
and via zoom Chad Stokes, Director OES,
and Jaiver Lara Director OES.
