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“It is not the critic who counts; not the one who points out how the strong person stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who actually strives to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself or herself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he or she fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his or her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”

	THE VANNUCCHI PAPERS

		By Jim Vannucchi, Director
		“It is not the critic who counts; not the one who points out how the strong person stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the person who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who actually strives to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself or herself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he or she fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his or her place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” - THEODORE ROOSEVELT CPAT
It is with a genuine heartfelt thanks to the Fire Commission, in particular Commissioner Paul Conroy and Chief Mario Trevino, that I can announce to the membership that by unanimous vote, the SFFD has adopted the Candidate Physical Abilities Test as the standard for entrance in the Department. This daring and bold move by the Fire Commission raises the bar to become a San Francisco Firefighter. A standard that can do nothing less than fulfill our commitment to the public and each other. A special acknowledgement to Chief Hayes-White and Captain Kochevar of the Division of Training for their comprehensive presentation of CPAT to the Commission. CPF MEMORIAL In the Capitol of the State of California, on April 6th, 2002, the FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL was dedicated to honor our brave fallen and their families. Prior to the unveiling, President Dan Terry of the CPF made a very profound, yet tragically true statement “… we do funerals very well.” Those words could not have been more evident as I searched the faces of the over 2,000 firefighters from throughout the State for just one tearless eye. None could be had. My deepest appreciation to Dan Terry and his staff. Their unwavering dedication to this project over the years culminated into an event that many others and I will embrace next to our hearts for all time. Thank you for a job well done. CONTRACT RE-NEGOTIATON As a labor organization, there is great difficulty in sacrificing a hard-won benefit. Yet, as of this printing, I am pleased to state that the membership has voted in favor of fulfilling The City’s’ request to return over 68% of our upcoming raise to help The City address the looming budget deficit. As a fallout of the cowardly attack of September 11, we as firefighters have been assaulted on many fronts. The foremost being the loss of 343 of our brothers from the FDNY. The attack on America has continued financially against SF and we have been asked to do our part. And as a result of a mandate of the membership, on their behalf, I am so honored to say “ We Will.”