Like many women, my leadership path starts from being a daughter, sister, spouse and mother.I come from a family with a strong tradition of public service and philanthropy. I have seen firsthand how an individual’s efforts can benefit entire communities. This was especially clear in 1999 when my father–the late California State Assemblyman Lou Papan — proposed legislation to provide financial assistance to firefighters suffering from work-related cancers. This groundbreaking legislation not only helped a firefighter we personally knew who was fighting for his life, but has provided support for subsequent generations of brave men and women who continue to put their own lives on the line daily, to protect our communities.
I stand with California Professional Firefighters in the fight for year-round investment in wildfire prevention. Locally and statewide, this means recruiting, retaining and training an adequate workforce of firefighters, nurses and first responders; equipping them with the life-saving tools they need to contain fires and save lives; and investing in effective vegetation management and fire break techniques. We’ll keep you informed of efforts to transform this vision into year-round implementation.