Bill Text: CA AB1116 | 2019-2020 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Firefighters: peer support.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-1)

Status: (Passed) 2019-10-01 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 388, Statutes of 2019. [AB1116 Detail]

Download: California-2019-AB1116-Introduced.html

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CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2019–2020 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill

No. 1116

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Introduced by Assembly Member Grayson

February 21, 2019

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An act relating to firefighters.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 1116, as introduced, Grayson. Firefighters: peer support.

Under existing law, the California Emergency Services Act, the Governor is authorized to proclaim a state of emergency, as defined, under specified circumstances. The California Emergency Services Act also authorizes the governing body of a city, county, city and county, or an official designated by ordinance adopted by that governing body, to proclaim a local emergency, as defined.

This bill would make various findings and declarations regarding firefighters, including that California has a responsibility to ensure that its emergency service and public safety agencies are equipped with the tools necessary to assist firefighters to mitigate the occupational stress they experience as a result of performing their job duties and protecting the public. The bill would provide that it is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a Peer Support Program to enable critically needed peer support for California’s firefighters.

Digest Key

Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: NO   Local Program: NO  

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Bill Text

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

 (a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) Firefighters frequently respond to traumatic incidents and dangerous circumstances, including, but not limited to, fires, stabbings, gun battles and shootings, domestic violence, terrorist acts, riots, automobile accidents, airplane crashes, earthquakes, and other gruesome scenes that have a profound impact on the mental health of these professionals. They are exposed to harmful substances, such as blood, urine, and vomit. They witness grave injuries, death, and grief. They are frequently placed in harm’s way, with significant risk of bodily harm or physical assault while performing the duties of their jobs.

(2) The traumatic and unpredictable nature of the firefighting profession results in a high-stress working environment that can take an overwhelming mental, emotional, and physical toll on personnel. Chronic exposure to traumatic events and critical incidents increases the risk for post-traumatic stress and other stress-induced injuries.

(3) While most firefighters survive the traumas of their jobs, sadly, many experience the impacts of occupational stressors when off duty. The psychological and emotional stress of the profession can have a detrimental impact long after the shift is over.

(4) Such trauma-related injuries can become overwhelming, manifesting in post-traumatic stress, which may result in substance use disorders and even, tragically, suicide. The fire service is four times more likely to experience a suicide than a “traditional” death in the line of duty in any year.

(5) Firefighters face uniquely dangerous risks in their mission to keep the public safe. These professionals rely on each other for survival while placing their lives on the line every day to protect the communities they serve.

(6) The culture of emergency services has often inhibited its personnel from asking for assistance in battling their psychological stress for fear it will cause ridicule, shame, or adverse job action.

(7) California has a responsibility to ensure that its emergency service and public safety agencies are equipped with the tools necessary to assist firefighters to mitigate the occupational stress that they experience as a result of performing their job duties and protecting the public.

(b) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would establish a Peer Support Program to enable critically needed peer support for California’s firefighters.