News: News

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...

WSCFF Legislative Liaison Bud Sizemore Takes New Role with DNR 

Legislative Liaison Bud Sizemore, retired, L1747, Kent, has resigned his position with the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters (WSCFF) to take a new job as Deputy Director of External Affairs for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. We appreciate his years of extensive work within the WSCFF and congratulate him as he begins his new...

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...

Retirement is a huge life change. Consider it!

WSCFF Retirees Association Advisory Board Member Steve Hostetter reflects on planning for retirement. As a recent retiree, I often have conversations with fire service friends about retirement. The discussion is usually about the financial considerations and benefit choices like survivor options and purchasing service credits. Recently I’ve been making it a point to ask...

NWFFT changes name to IAFF Health & Wellness Trust

WSCFF Secretary-Treasurer Greg Markley is pleased to announce a refreshed brand identity for the Northwest Fire Fighters Benefits Trust. The new name and logo are indicative of the evolution of the Trust since its inception in 2013.  Markley says, “while this is a significant change, and we remain ever proud of our Pacific Northwest...

Governor Inslee Signs WSCFF Backed Pension Reform Bill

On Thursday, March 24, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law Substitute House Bill 1701, providing a significant pension benefit for members of Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters LEOFF Plan 2, and making WSCFF history. Years of lobbying and relationship building resulted in the unanimous passage of this pension reform legislation. “This has been...

Response to Vaccine Mandate

The WSCFF has been fully engaged on the recent proclamation by Governor Inslee mandating COVID-19 vaccination of healthcare workers including those of us in the fire, paramedic, and emergency medical services.