San Jose Fire Fighters

Rest in Paradise Captain RICHARD WARDALL

IN THE LINE OF DUTY:

July 10th, 2015

CAUSE OF DEATH:

Work-Related Cancer
In memorium:

Rick was a true Renaissance man who marveled at the entire world, from the sky to the deep blue sea. His love of airplanes was inherited from his father, Francis Wardall, who worked for Lockheed. He was involved in engineering the famed P-38 fighter plane during WWII. Rick’s love of planes transferred to the fire department, where he worked as an engineer at Station 20, located at SJIA. He always amazed the crew by knowing the type of aircraft just by the sound of its engine.

Rick loved being a firefighter. He moved through many ranks and job descriptions including firefighter, paramedic, engineer and captain. He was known for how much he cared about helping people, his sense of humor, incredible smile, and amazing engineering and problem-solving skills.

“When firefighters stand together, we protect more than communities—we protect our future.”

Today, firefighters from across California stood together in support of AB 1383 and meaningful pension reform.

Thank you to our members, retirees, labor partners, and brothers and sisters from fire departments throughout the state who took the time to show up, speak out, and fight for the future of our profession.

Pension security is not just about today’s firefighters—it is about protecting the retirement dignity of those who dedicate their lives to serving their communities and ensuring future generations have a career worth pursuing.

Real change only happens when we stand united. Every phone call, every conversation with a legislator, every rally, and every member who takes action makes a difference.

We can only accomplish this together.

Thank you for your commitment, your advocacy, and your solidarity.

UnionStrong RetirementSecurity Firefighters Solidarity

https://www.ktvu.com/news/san-jose-fire-station-32-sits-empty-after-budget-cuts-delay-opening

🚒 Thank You, KTVU, for Covering the Story of The Failure of Fire Station 32 🚒

Thank you to KTVU for shining a light on the continued delay in opening Fire Station 32 and the impact these budget decisions have on public safety in San José.

In 2018, voters approved Measure T with the promise of expanding fire protection services and opening a new fire station in one of the city’s most underserved neighborhoods. Today, the station has been built, but budget decisions continue to prevent it from opening and serving the community as intended.

Fire Station 32 is expected to become one of the busiest stations in San José, helping improve response times, reduce strain on neighboring stations, and deliver the emergency services our residents deserve.

📢 We need your help.

Visit SafeSanJose.org⁠ and contact the Mayor and your City Councilmember today. Tell them to make opening Fire Station 32 a priority and stop delaying the public safety resources voters approved.

Together, we can ensure San José keeps its promise to residents and invests in the fire protection our community needs.

San Jose Fire Station 32 sits empty after budget cuts delay opening Efforts are underway to open a newly constructed San Jose fire station that currently sits empty because staffing funds were cut from the city's upcoming budget, a decision the local firefighters' union warns endangers public safety.

🚒 FIGHTING FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY SAN JOSE DESERVES 🚒

San Jose Fire Fighters remain committed to finding solutions and delivering the level of emergency service our community expects and deserves.
While we are disappointed by the outcome of this year's budget process, our focus remains on the future and ensuring San Jose has the resources needed to meet growing public safety demands.
Eight years after voters approved Measure T, Fire Station 32 remains unopened. Meanwhile, emergency call volume continues to increase, our department is operating with approximately a 10% overall staffing vacancy, and firefighter paramedic vacancies are now approaching 30%.
The solution cannot be cutting resources, delaying promised fire stations, or asking firefighters to do more with less.
Local 230 will continue to hold City Hall accountable for the promises made to voters. We will oppose future cuts to frontline emergency services and fight to protect the resources our community depends on.
But firefighters don't just identify problems—we bring solutions.
We are actively pushing the City of San José to pursue federal SAFER Grant funding that could bring millions of dollars to our community to hire firefighters, improve staffing levels, and help open the fire stations residents were promised. We will continue working with our elected officials at the state and federal levels, including our partners in Washington, D.C., to secure every available funding opportunity for public safety.
That is what firefighters do.
We solve problems. We find solutions. We fight for our community.
Our priorities are clear:
✅ Open promised fire stations
✅ Protect existing emergency resources
✅ Hire and retain fire fighter paramedics
✅ Secure state and federal funding
✅ Hold decision-makers accountable
The voters kept their promise when they approved Measure T in 2018.
Now it's time to deliver the public safety infrastructure and staffing that San Jose residents were promised.
Together, we can build a stronger, safer San Jose.