Classes

WSCFF Retirees Association

9:00am-Noon
Location: Heritage Ballroom
Speakers: Bruce Baurichter, Pat Hepler, Steve Hostetter, Roy Orlando, George Orr, Curt Vandver, Dean Shelton

Location: Heritage A

Retiree Association Presentation

About the Speakers

Bruce Baurichter

Bruce Baurichter was hired by the Tacoma Fire Department in 1986 and elected to the Local 31 Executive board in 1988, serving as an officer for over 25 years. He held the office of Vice President, and was subsequently elected Secretary/Treasurer in 1994, and served in that capacity for 19 years. In 2013, Bruce...

Pat Hepler

Patrick Hepler served the city of Edmonds as a fire fighter for over 30 years. He retired from the fire service in 2017 after serving for an additional eight years as a Battalion Chief for Snohomish County Fire District #1. Pat has held numerous leadership positions in Local 1828, including 15 years as President....

Steve Hostetter

Hostetter grew up in Bremerton Washington.  After graduating from the University of Puget Sound and a short stint in the business world, he joined Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue, retiring as a Battalion Chief in 2017.  He served as 2nd vice president for local 2819, has been on multiple negotiations teams, and supported the...

Roy Orlando

Roy Orlando ismember of Tacoma Firefighters IAFF Local 31 and served the Tacoma Fire Department for 39 years in various positions within the Operations and Training Divisions. He retired as a lieutenant. A life-long Tacoma resident, Orlando has been actively involved in monitoring pension legislation and union benefits both before and after his retirement....

George Orr

George Orr has been a member in good standing of Local 876, both active and retired, since June of 1970 – over 50 years of union service and fraternity. In that time George served honorably as a fire fighter, a fire investigator, and held several Local 876 leadership positions including Chairman of the Wage...

Curt Vandver

Curt Vandver joined the City of Puyallup Fire Department in 1970. During his time in Local 726, Curt was very active in all aspects of union leadership and completed his AA degree in Fire Command and Administration. After more than 30 years of service, Curt retired in 2004 and has continued working for fire...

Dean Shelton

Dean Shelton currently serves as the Vice President/8th District Representative for the Washington State Council of Firefighters. Dean also serves as the President of the Marysville Professional Firefighters, IAFF Local 3219. Prior to being President he served nearly 20 years as the local Secretary/Treasurer. He holds a B.A from Western Washington University, received his...

Today's Classes

Rebound: The Tactical Athlete
3:30-5:00pm
Location: Heritage A
This course will discuss the positive and long lasting impact of providing a high level sports medicine model of injury recovery coupled with a true
Power Through Participation: Train the Trainer – Part 2
3:30-5:00pm
Location: Heritage EF
Ryan Reese / Matt Lowery
Impact Bargaining: What is it and what triggers the need?
3:30-5:00pm
Location: Heritage CD
Impact Bargaining 101 Presentation
How to Not Get Sued
Location: Heritage B
This class will cover some of the common issues unions must navigate that can lead to problems down the road, including: grievance handling, complying with
Local & IAFF Audits/Financial Transparency
Location: Heritage B
Location: Heritage B This class will define the audit/financial review process. Your WSCFF trustees will share their experiences over the pat two decades from
Bargaining 101
Location: Heritage A
This is an introduction to negotiations. Negotiations can occur informally as a conversation, to formally bargaining a contract. This class will class will provide an
Using Social Media to our Advantage
Location: Heritage EF
Power Through Participation: Train the Trainer – Part 1
Location: Heritage EF
This session will assist locals in delivering internal Union organization/participation by training local officers/members to deliver WSCFF educational content. Power Through Participation Power
Litigating State L&I & Self-Insured Claims
Location: Heritage CD
Litigating State L&I Presentation
Break
3:00-3:30pm
Succession Planning – Planning and Investing in Our Future
Location: Heritage CD
This class will help local leaders begin to understand the importance of succession planning and provides some basic steps to be successful as we prepare
Paid Family Medical Leave Act
Location: Heritage B
This class will explore some frequently asked questions around Washington’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, including the ability to use accrued leave
Endorsing Candidates: Our Process, Who We Support & Why
Location: Heritage EF
Endorsing Candidates Presentation
Board Authority & Representation
Location: Heritage CD
IAFF 7th District Vice President and WSCFF Leadership will discuss their roles as leaders and some of the recent challenges they have faced. This will
National Firefighter Registry
Location: Heritage Ballroom
The National Firefighter Registry, created through the Firefighter Cancer Registry Act of 2018, will be a voluntary registry of firefighters that will be used to analyze
Leadership/ IAFF-WSCFF COVID After Action Report
Location: Heritage Ballroom
IAFF and WSCFF officers will review the responsibilities of leadership associated with our efforts and actions regarding COVID-19. IAFF Hotwash After Incident Assessment
Leading From Your Strengths
Location: Heritage Ballroom
Leading from your strengths is a tool to help you discover how your personality can strengthen and improve your team’s morale. Understand how differences
Long-Term Care Update
9:00am-Noon
Location: Heritage Ballroom
Thriving In Times of Change
9:00am-Noon
Location: Heritage Ballroom
Professional speaker and comedienne Meg Soper combines a sense of humor with her unique perspective on life to captivate her audience and provide a presentation
Lunch
12:00-1:30pm
Understanding Washington State PFMLA, Federal FMLA & Your Sick Leave Benefits
9:00am-Noon
Location: Great Hall BD
This session will help you navigate the alphabet soup of state and federal laws around family and medical leave, sick leave, and other common wage
Why Labor Should Matter
9:00am-Noon
Location: Great Hall BD
Behavioral Health: What Local Leaders Need to Know
3:30-5:00pm
Location: Room H
Whether you have a behavioral health program or not, this class will guide you through a labor-management approach to building a successful program for your
Privacy & Disclosure: What Unions/Employers Must Produce & May Withold
1:30-3:00pm
Location: Room H
Learn about developments in the areas of union privilege and the PRA, and FAQs in getting the information unions need from the employer and in
Impact Bargaining
3:30-5:00pm
Location: Room G
When there is a change to how management and the union interact, outside the scope of an existing agreement, our Union, upon being made aware,
Importance of LEOFF 1 Disability Boards
3:30-5:00pm
Location: Room EF
WSCFF Retirees Association Board Presentation
Preparing for Line-of-Duty-Death
3:30-5:00pm
Location: Room D
Preparing for Line-of-Duty-Death Presentation
Breakfast
7:00-8:45am
Location: Great Hall AC
Shift Change
7:00 - 8:00 am
Location: Boardroom
WSCFF Shift Change meetings are for members coping with or in recovery from an alcohol or substance use problems. Peer-led meetings provide a supportive space
Latest PERC & Arbitration Decisions
9:00am-Noon
Location: Great Hall BD
Alex Skalbania will discuss new PERC cases and new Interest Arbitration awards and new developments regarding bargaining topics. PERC Update Presentation
Communication in Critical Times and Positive Messaging
1:30-3:00pm, 3:30-5:00pm
Location: Room H
This is a two part class that runs from 1:30 – 5:00 with a 30 minute break. PLEASE NOTE: participants should have access to their local social media accounts.
Financial Independence at Retirement
9:00am-Noon
Location: Great Hall BD
DecisionPoint will discuss and review key topics surrounding financial readiness, and why it’s so important to start planning today. Discussion points will include ways
Wildland Committee Fire Roster: What is it and how do you access it?
1:30-3:00pm
Location: Room G
Wildland Committee Fire Roster Presentation
Work, Union, and Life Balance
3:30-5:00pm
Location: Room H
This course will be an open discussion about achieving a balance between the life of a union official who still works on the job and
IAFF 7th District Report
9:00am-Noon
Location: Great Hall BD
Understanding Grievances/Unfair Labor Practices
1:30-3:00pm
Location: Room ABC
A brief overview of what is a grievance, what is an Unfair Labor Practice (ULP). What is the difference between the two and what is
Secretary-Treasurer: Tools & Tips for Success in This Crucial Role
3:30-5:00pm
Location: Room D
Secretary-Treasurer Tools & Tips Presentation
Understanding PTS Claims
1:30-3:00pm
Location: Room G
Understanding PTS Claims Presentation
Standing Committees Reports
9:00am-Noon
Location: Great Hall BD
WSCFF Building
9:00am-Noon
Location: Great Hall BD
The Retirement Equation
1:30-3:00pm
Location: Room EF
As professional firefighters, we have an amazing defined-benefit pension and the ability to retire in our mid-50s, but our income and expenses change immediately
Scene Safety: Unintended Impacts of HB 1310
9:00am-Noon
Location: Great Hall BD
MERP/IAFF Health Trust Update
1:30-3:00pm
Location: Room D
This class will cover updates on the IAFF Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan and IAFF Health & Wellness Trust (formerly the Northwest Fire Fighters Benefits Trust).
WSCFF Strategic Plan
9:00am-Noon
Location: Great Hall BD
Negotiations: From Preparation to Arbitration
1:30-3:00pm, 3:30-5:00pm
Location: Room ABC
This is a two part class that runs from 1:30 – 5:00 with a 30 minute break.
WSCFF Legislative Update
9:00am-Noon
Location: Great Hall BD
Membership Engagement in a Post Janus World
3:30-5:00pm
Location: Room ABC
Membership Engagement Presentation