New California Law Affirms Fire Fighters’ Right to Fill the Boot

October 16, 2007 – With the full support of the IAFF and the California Professional Firefighters (CPF), California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed SB 582 – a bill that preserves California fire fighters’ right to “fill the boot.”

“I applaud Governor Schwarzenegger’s actions on this important piece of legislation,” says Lou Paulson, president of the CPF. “Active support of charitable causes is a fundamental element of the longstanding tradition of service fire fighters and public safety officers take pride in.”

SB 582 allows fire fighters, as volunteers of charity, to engage in a charitable solicitation on public roadways if: the charity files a specified application with the appropriate local agency at least 10 days before the solicitation; the benefiting charity provides proof of a valid

Koy Wilson, Stockton Local 456 member and Burn Institute Advisory Member testifies in support of SB 582

liability insurance policy; and the solicitation application is approved within five days before the solicitation is to take place.

The legislation became necessary after some of the state’s municipalities interpreted existing anti-solicitation laws to limit or outlaw fill-the-boot campaigns.

After the California legislature passed SB 582, IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger wrote Governor Schwarzenegger: “Individuals with neuromuscular disorders depend greatly on the efforts of my members through fill-the-boot fundraising programs. For my members, the bill will allow for the continued success of MDA’s Fill-the-Boot program. The end result is that additional funding for research and patient care provided by MDA will be available to California residents.”

California fire fighters raised more than $1 million in 2006 for MDA to support multi-disciplinary clinics at the University of California affiliated hospitals; the purchase of wheelchairs and other special equipment; and scholarships to MDA summer camps for kids.

The IAFF has been an MDA sponsor for 53 years raising more than $300 million for the charity.