line of firefighters

Committees

Working to Make an Impact

Standing committees are created and funded through WSCFF Convention resolutions to address issues impacting the work of fire fighters and EMTs. Committee members are appointed by the President, with input from district representatives.

Diversity Committee

The DEI Committee will study and make recommendations to reduce and eliminate barriers to the recruitment and hiring process for marginalized communities.

Co- Chairs IAFF DVP Ricky Walsh and WSCFF 6th District Representative Patrick McElligott, Jr.

  • Jasmine McLaurin, Local 31, Tacoma
  • Madeline Dailey, Local 1747, Kent
  • Anthony John, Local 2024, South King County
  • Kara Putnam, Local 2819, Kitsap County
  • Chelsea Stayton, Local 3390, Gig Harbor

Public Relations Committee

In 2015, Resolution 15-08 identified the need for a public relations campaign to properly inform the people of Washington about issues significant to Washington’s professional fire fighters and to enhance public opinion of fire fighters and the labor movement.

The committee is chaired by Ryan Reese, 5th District Representative, and includes Tim Hoover, 3rd District Representative, Jeff Wainwright, 2nd District Representative, Reece Williams, L3219, and WSCFF staff. Working with the Executive Board, local leaders, and members, the Public Relations Committee has conducted a public opinion survey, developed and executed public relations plans, worked with local affiliates to develop communications skills and strategies, and utilized social media platforms.

For more information, contact the Public Relations Committee or the WSCFF office.

EMS Committee

The most significant issue for our members and the EMS Committee involves changes to healthcare delivery perpetuated by the passage of the Affordable Care Act. There has been much discussion and legislative priority placed on EMS programs that seek to modify 911 user behaviors and tailor the level of response/resource utilization to the patient. These programs are administered under various labels within locals, both statewide and nationwide, and by other IAFF affiliates. The programs are generally referred to as Mobile Integrated Health (MIH), Community Paramedicine, or FD CARES.

The goal of the EMS Committee is to provide local leaders with a framework that sets a course for the development and administration of an MIH program in your organization. The Committee meets several times throughout the year.

For more information, please contact the EMS Committee, the WSCFF office, or committee members directly..

EMS Committee Chair: Mike Westland, Local 3520, WSCFF 4th District Representative

EMS Committee Members:

  • Andy Polmateer, Local 315
  • Tim Hoover, Local 1828, WSCFF 3rd District Representative
  • Kyle Waterman, Local 2595
  • Tom Chavez, Local 3711

See the following links for sample resolutions, white paper on funding, data being collected, and some informative videos. More resources will be added as they become available.

Legislative Committee

The mission of the Legislative Committee is to help identify and recommend candidates for endorsement who are responsive to the needs of fire fighters, and to provide assistance to locals in electing candidates for local, state, and federally elected offices. The Committee also works to develop legislation related to pension and civil service processes, collective bargaining, wages, hours and working conditions, and health and safety. The WSCFF works to secure passage of legislation beneficial to fire fighters and prevent the passage of legislation deemed harmful.

For more information, contact the Legislative Committee or visit the Political Action page.

Legislative Committee Members:

Health & Safety Committee

The Health and Safety Committee confronts top-priority issues for the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters – the safety of our members. Working in conjunction with a variety of local, statewide, and national groups, as well as experts and safety resources, the Committee monitors current fire fighter safety issues and develops strategies and programs that promote their use and effectiveness. The Health and Safety Committee meets periodically throughout the year.

For more information, please contact the WSCFF office or the committee 

WSCFF & Safety Committee Member

Committee Chair:
Keven Rojecki, WSCFF 9th District Representative

Fire Cancer Support Network WA Chapter Representative: Bill Hoover, Local 2545

Behavioral Health Representative: John Gallup, Local 1747

Eastside Representatives:
Chris Mortensen, Local 1433

Steve Austin, Local 1052

Dan Ward, Local 876

Westside Representatives:
Neil Agren, Local 3828

Jeremy Dixon, Local 437

Adam Jackson, Local 726

Get more Health & Safety resource information

Wildland Fire and Mobilization Committee

The Wildland Fire and Mobilization Committee’s purpose is to create and/or evaluate wildland fire fighting and mobilization legislation and policy, deployment models and staffing levels, and funding proposals for local, state, and federal governments. The Committee also creates proposed WSCFF policies on wildland fire fighting and mobilizations, and helps to develop educational resources for locals related to wildland fire fighting mobilizations.

President Dennis Lawson selected the six committee members from three western Washington and three eastern Washington locals with small (0-30), mid-size (31-100), and large (100+) memberships.

For more information, contact the Committee or the " class="broken_link">WSCFF office.

Chair: Jeff Wainwright, WSCFF 2nd District Representative

Committee Members:

  • Jeff Miller, Local 27
  • KC Whitehouse, Local 2394
  • Norby Johnson, Local 3390
  • Jason Wilkins, Local 3711
  • Jason Gallagher, Local 4333