News: Community

The WSCFF Celebrates All Women Firefighters: Meet 3 Inspiring Members

Women firefighters strengthen the fire service. Across Washington, women in the WSCFF are making an impact on the line, in leadership, and in their communities. The WSCFF celebrates all women in the fire service, and we’re proud to highlight three inspiring women WSCFF firefighters and their stories for Women’s History Month, shared in their...

Sleep Awareness for Shift Fire Fighters: Tips for Better Sleep Quality

By: Patrick Gallagher, Fire Fighter/ Paramedic, L726 We all know that getting quality sleep is essential to doing our job well, but as shift fire fighters, our sleep schedules often don’t align with ideal routines. Between the unpredictable nature of our calls and the need to stay alert, it can feel like a constant...

Meet Eric Monroe, Director of the WSCFF Cancer Foundation 

Your career exposes you to dangerous cancer-causing toxins. The Washington State Council of Fire Fighters (WSCFF) Cancer Foundation recognizes this risk and is here to support you.  Formerly known as the Firefighter Cancer Support Network – Washington Chapter (FCSN-WA), the WSCFF Cancer Foundation provides a comprehensive range of services, including fire fighter cancer education,...

Stand with Michael

The WSCFF encourages support for a fellow fire fighter and paramedic Michael Kienzle from Oregon, a member of the IAFF 9th District, who has been unexpectedly diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. Michael will be undergoing treatment in the Seattle area over the coming months. A dedicated fire service professional, husband, and devoted...

Sleep Awareness for Shift Fire Fighters: Tips for Better Sleep Quality

By: Patrick Gallagher, Fire Fighter/ Paramedic, L726 We all know that getting quality sleep is essential to doing our job well, but as shift fire fighters, our sleep schedules often don’t align with ideal routines. Between the unpredictable nature of our calls and the need to stay alert, it can feel like a constant...

Learning, Engaging, Leading: First-Time Legislative Conference Attendees 

We celebrate first-time attendees at this year’s Kelly L. Fox Legislative Conference, proving that advocacy begins now!  As more than 200 WSCFF members rallied to support fire fighter rights in Washington State on February 5 – meeting with elected officials and making their voices heard – we caught up with two first time attendees,...

Welcome Back Nich Gullickson!

Nich Gullickson, L2024, South King, has been selected to serve as the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Legislative Liaison. Nich, who served as Session Lobbyist in 2019, brings experience, passion, and dedication to this critical role, joining current WSCFF Legislative Liaison AJ Johnson. Longtime WSCFF Legislative Liaison Bud Sizemore has resigned to take...

Line-of-Duty Death: A Fire Family Story

Erik Shouse, L2781 Snohomish County, died at age 40 from cardiac arrest at his home on Camano Island in April 2018. A year later, the Department of Labor and Industries determined that he died in the line of duty of an occupational disease. His wife, Kalina, has been a tireless advocate for fire fighters...

WSCFF Endorses Governor Jay Inslee for Re-election

Citing a long and productive working relationship between Governor Jay Inslee and the WSCFF, President Dennis Lawson announced that delegates to the WSCFF convention overwhelmingly voted to endorse Governor Jay Inslee for re-election.  “We support those who support our issues”, says Lawson. Inslee has been a friend to fire fighters, who volunteered to serve...