You can make a difference for California’s peace officers and their families. The California Tax Checkoff program is offering a quick, easy way to help 501(c)(3) organizations in the state, including the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation (CPOMF).
It’s important that we make a commitment to those who keep us safe. Every day, thousands of peace officers across the Golden State put on their uniforms hoping they will return safely. They hug their loved ones not knowing if it will be the final time. Their promise to serve and protect comes with an inherent risk of danger. In today’s uncertain world, peace officers have been targeted and others have lost their lives while protecting others.
While we hope to never see another family or community mourn, the unfortunate reality is that it will happen again; an officer will perish, a family will grieve and a community will be shocked.
Far too many of our protectors have given the ultimate sacrifice.
The family, friends and partners of more than 1,500 California officers know that terrible reality. Since 1977, they have come together each May to honor and remember those who have lost their lives in the line-of-duty. It is a solemn gathering that includes a candlelight vigil and a procession past hundreds of fellow officers who give a final salute. In 1988, the formal California Peace Officers’ Memorial was dedicated in Sacramento.
The California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation does more than maintain the lasting tribute; it offers moral support, crisis counseling and financial support – including a scholarship fund – for the surviving spouses and children of officers who have given their lives in the line of duty.
California Casualty has been a partner with California law enforcement for nearly 50 years, and, to show the commitment and respect for these American heroes, the company has donated $25,000 to help sustain the CPOMF scholarship program. You can help too.
The California Tax Checkoff program makes it easier than ever for California tax payers to repay the debt to those who have given their lives for our safety with a tax-deductible donation to the California Peace Officers’ Memorial Foundation. Learn more at the CA Checkoff web page, www.checkoffca.org.
The Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) also created this video to help offer additional information on the check off box for CPOMF.
California Casualty is thanking first responders with a new Work Hard/Play Hard Sweepstakes. One lucky law enforcement officer, firefighter or EMT will receive a $7,500 Garage Makeover.
The winner of the newest Work Hard/Play Hard Sweepstakes will be handed a $7,500 check to create the garage of their dreams.
Imagine the possibilities: new cabinets, custom tool storage, new flooring or even a beverage area to go with a big screen TV.
Whether it’s a gym, workshop, or refuge from the stresses of the day, we want to help you create your ultimate garage. It’s our thanks for the hard work first responders do to keep our communities safer.
“We are grateful for the tough job first responders do every day for all us,” said California Casualty Sr. Vice President Mike McCormick. “We wanted to show our appreciation and provide a useful way to say thanks.”
The $7,500 Garage Makeover drawing is open to peace officers, EMTs and firefighters – American heroes who work hard and risk their lives. Entries will be accepted through October 31, 2019, at www.policefiregiveaway.com. The winner will be announced in November.
Previous Work Hard/Play Hard winners have won Liberty Safes, DeWalt Tools, motorcycles, and cash. Past winners include an Oregon Police officer, Colorado Sheriff’s captain, Firefighters from California, Nebraska, Ohio and Pennsylvania and a California Highway Patrolman.
The men and women of public safety are tough, in control, and working to put others ahead of themselves. It takes a lot of “heart” to do the job. If you wear a uniform, be aware that your risk of heart disease might be higher than the general population.
February is Heart Month – a reminder that we all need to take care of our hearts so we will be around to celebrate many more Valentine’s Days with our loved ones.
The Risk
Being a first responder is one of the most stressful jobs in the U.S. Long shifts, life and death situations, and strenuous physical exertion can take a toll on the heart. A number of studies involving law enforcement officers found sudden cardiac deaths accounted for 10 percent of all on-duty police deaths in the U.S.
Cardiovascular disease was found to be the primary on-duty and lifetime mortality risk for firefighters.
The danger increased for first responders who were diabetic, overweight, smoked, used excessive alcohol and didn’t exercise.
Female officers, firefighters and EMTs also need to pay attention. Their rates of heart disease and heart attack have increased, and the Centers for Disease Control lists heart disease as the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.
Recommendations
While we may not be able to reduce the stress involved with public safety, there are clear steps that can cut your risk of heart disease:
If you smoke, quit
Improve and control cholesterol levels
Reduce high blood pressure
Exercise
Eat a heart-healthy diet
Get to a healthy weight
Get adequate sleep
Reduce alcohol intake
Begin aspirin therapy
Police and fire organizations are now calling for mandatory medical exams, wellness and fitness requirements and annual physical fitness performance evaluations. They also recommend that individuals buddy-up and create workout groups, walking clubs and other physical challenges in for their departments.
You’ve been on patrol for a few years and now you are thinking about moving up the ranks or maybe moving to a bigger department with more opportunities? Your resume can help you stand out above other candidates.
The job search for police officers is not like a normal job search. It’s a different world in law enforcement. You may be looking to make a lateral move in your department or moving to a bigger department where more opportunities are available. Or maybe it’s time to see if you have what it takes to move up in rank? Even though the process is challenging, extensive, and technical, your resume doesn’t have to be. We’ve compiled some easy pointers for you to use to help find the right fit for your resume and your career.
Don’t worry about the length of your resume. Unless you’re switching careers, your resume will need to hold more information than the customary two pages.
Write an attention grabbing career objective that should reflect the next rank or position you are aiming for.
Strive for clarity when explaining your experiences. This can help filter out the least important info the reader needs to see.
Use action verbs in your descriptions to present a picture to the reader, rather than a list of job duties. Ex: patrolled, inspected, implemented, enforced, assessed, etc.
If you completed your professional development with the same organization, try lumping the classes you took together to avoid repeating yourself. If you didn’t, just list your training courses with specific organizations, locations, and years.
When adding your affiliations and community involvements, try only using a few lines and use symbols to separate each listing.
Your resume can be a strong first impression with the right format and verbiage. These tips can help yours stand out from the other candidates. For a resume example, click here. For more law enforcement resume examples and tips, click here.
The words “incomprehensible,” “terrible,” and “devastation like we’ve never seen or imagined” continue to be used to describe the impact of the fires that ravaged and changed the face of Santa Rosa and areas of Sonoma and Napa counties in October. The images of the wind-blown firestorm are seared into our consciousness.
In the aftermath, vast acreage was blackened and trailer parks, hotels and neighborhoods were decimated – leaving our hearts heavy for those who lost family, friends or their homes.
It would have been much worse if not for the heroes who saved countless lives and property. During the firestorm, first responders stood tall as the fury unfolded around them. They made valiant runs into choking smoke and pitch dark conditions to rouse and rescue those caught off-guard, guiding and carrying the infirmed or confused as the relentless inferno consumed everything in its way. They are an inspiration to us all.
Most of those in uniform say they were just doing their job; helping others at their own peril, even while their homes and property were threatened.
As the smoke clears and the damage assessed, we want to thank all the first responders and volunteers who made a difference for so many.
Please join California Casualty in expressing our sincere gratitude to the hundreds of law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTS and others who put themselves in harm’s way to protect our community. To all our heroes, we appreciate and thank you!
Life as a firefighter, police officer, or paramedic can be stressful and dangerous. Not to mention the long hours and hectic duties, so how do you have time to take care of yourself? Here are five easy ways to make time for self-care and focus on you.
Get enough sleep. First responders are more likely to suffer from sleep disorders. Getting enough hours of sleep helps your body recover and keeps you mentally focused.
Exercise regularly. Even though the job includes a lot of moving, lifting, and fast paced action, try to set aside a regular time every day. Find a strength and cardio workout that works best for you.
Drink plenty of water. Enough water intake isn’t only going to give you energy for the day, but help with your cognitive function.
Keep a balanced diet. The key to staying healthy is keeping a balanced diet. Switch out processed foods for fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Stop smoking. Continued smoking takes a toll on your cardiovascular health, and it will keep you from performing at your best.
Start making a change to better your lifestyle, improve job performance, and most importantly your physical and mental health.
