Jason Gwilt, Local 2781, Snohomish County, has led an inspiring career making an impact, whether seated on his motorcycle as a leader with the IAFF Motorcycle Group or advocating as a union leader. “Both of them have intersected over the years and both I am equally proud of.”
Born and raised in Sultan, Washington, Jason remains there today on a third-generation family farm with his wife and two children. They raise beef cows and keep horses on the property. He also comes from a third-generation logging family and spent time working in the woods with his dad, uncle, and grandfather. But his goal was always clear. He wanted to be a firefighter.
Jason began his fire service career in 1997 as a volunteer firefighter with Snohomish County Fire District 5 while working full time as a mechanic for a tree service company. His persistence paid off when he was hired as a full-time firefighter with SCFD5. In 2023, he was promoted to Lieutenant.
What makes Jason a remarkable union member is how deeply he leaned into union life, albeit through unexpected ties to a lifelong passion. “I’ve been around motorsports all my life and I’ve become an avid motorcyclist in my adult life. I’m currently riding a 2018 Harley Davidson Street Glide which is a bit modified; I used to be a mechanic, so I can’t help myself when it comes to tinkering on stuff.” In 2010, while exploring the IAFF website and its resources, he stumbled across the IAFF Motorcycle Group: “What, our union has a motorcycle group?? How cool is that! So, I had to sign up. At the time, I didn’t know much about the union outside of my small local and I surely didn’t know anyone in the MG. So, I ordered up my new vest and colors and got the stitch on just in time to go out on my first organized ride, which was the WSCFF Annual Convention Ride in Tulalip in 2010. And I was hooked; I loved the brotherhood and sisterhood of the group. I’ve made friends with so many different people from different departments that I would not have met otherwise, and I started learning about union stuff through conversations, things I could bring back to my small local.”
Union leadership followed soon after. In 2011, Jason was elected president of IAFF Local 4446, which at the time had only six members. Through close work with neighboring locals, that small group merged into IAFF Local 2781 in 2017. Jason then served as vice president representing his bargaining unit members until 2025. “At the time I stepped into union leadership, we had a fairly contentious relationship with our department, and we had a lot of difficulties negotiating fair contracts and providing safe and adequate staffing. After years of frustration, I decided to step into the political arena and started working on electing more labor-friendly fire commissioners. Since that time, we have elected two commissioners, and we have also campaigned successfully on numerous levy measures. We now have a new administration, 13 full-time firefighters – which includes six paramedics, transitioned to a 24-hour schedule and many other positive changes. I am confident that none of this would have happened without our political action.”
At the same time, Jason was becoming a leader within the IAFF Motorcycle Group. In 2016, he took on the role of Washington State Coordinator, a position he held for seven years. One of his most meaningful responsibilities was leading the Ribbon Ride for the Washington State Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The ride carries ribbons honoring fallen firefighters from across the state and escorts them to the memorial ceremony in Olympia. “We do kind of an honor guard type thing but on motorcycles and instead of class A’s we are wearing our vests with our colors. Every year we do this ride to honor our fallen and we have been to all corners of the state many times. This is a ride that is very meaningful and that we are all very proud of, and it has been a true honor to lead it for those years. Many of us have been part of collecting ribbons for people that we knew personally and although difficult, I can’t imagine a better way to honor a friend. In 2023, I resigned that position to focus on my promotion and my other union work, but I still attend and participate in this ride every year.”
L2781 President Craig Fisher says, “For years, Jason has organized the ‘Ribbon Ride’ for the IAFF. Jason just recently, after 14 and a half years, left the Unit VP position for the Sultan Unit 5 IAFF Local 2781. As the president of our local, I have had the privilege to work with Jason on a regular basis. Jason and his approach of consistency and an open mind will be missed.”
WSCFF 6th District Representative Tim Hoover says, “Jason has demonstrated unwavering dedication to honoring our fallen, shown through the care and precision he puts into organizing the annual Ribbon Ride. For nearly twenty years, he has been a steadfast union leader, committed to strengthening his local, supporting his members, and helping his organization grow.”
The WSCFF is grateful for our members and the many paths they take, and for the experiences and passions they bring, like Jason and his dedication. In his own words, Jason shares what has shaped him, his union values, and the lessons that continue to guide his work:
What part of the job surprised you the most once you actually got into the fire service?
That it is more than just a job. It becomes a way of life; it becomes part of your family.
What’s something you learned about the union only after getting involved that surprised you?
The networking that happens across so many different jurisdictions across the state and the nation. So many resources coming together for a unified cause.
Is there a union value or principle that resonates with you most? Why?
Solidarity – I love that although we don’t always agree on everything and we all come from different walks of life, when it really matters, we come together and fight for our common cause.
Can you describe a time when you saw the fire service make a difference in the community in a way most people never get to see?
I think in my career the best example of this would be seeing my department evolve over my tenure. When I first started, we were just a small town on-call volunteer department doing the best that it could. And over the course of my career have grown into a 24-hour professional and progressive combination department that has continued to add services and expand to meet the needs of our growing population. I think most citizens really don’t see just how far we’ve come.
What does “brotherhood/sisterhood” mean to you in practice: not just as a phrase?
Being unified in a common cause and having the backs of your brothers and sisters. Looking out for each other and being willing to step up and help when help is needed.
What’s a trait or skill you brought from apart from your ‘firefighting’ life that helps you today?
I’m a pretty mechanically inclined person, which has allowed me to be very self-sufficient. I’m good at fixing things and there are not many projects out there that I wouldn’t take on myself. I think it helps me immensely in the firefighting world.
How has being a firefighter and union member shaped who you are outside the job?
Being a firefighter and a union leader for my organization has been difficult and stressful at times, and has definitely tested me as a person. But those challenges have made me a stronger person that is more confident about the situations and the responsibility that I can handle. Going back to the beginning of my career, I would never have believed where I would be today, and the things I would be able to accomplish.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
You’re going to have to get involved in local politics to make the real change. That advice set in motion all of the changes that make our department what is today.
In your opinion, what makes a great firefighter beyond technical skills?
I think the best firefighters are those who have worked and have experience in the trade jobs. They are hard workers and know how to work with their hands. Other than that, being a team player and the type of person others can live with.
What project are you most proud of?
I have a few, but I think my time spent leading and participating in the Ribbon Ride for the Washington State Fallen Firefighters Memorial stands out the most.
What’s your favorite memory from your time on a MG ride with the union?
One of my favorite memories is a Montana ride. It was one of my first multiple day trips my wife and I took with some of the group. It was a great chance to really get to know some of the people that I consider my good friends today, and I got to witness how Bud Sizemore ended up with the nickname “Stringer”. You’ll have to ask him that story though.
What do you do for fun outside of work?
I’m usually working in the shop tinkering on something. I always seem to have a shop project going on. We stay pretty busy with work on the farm but try to get out and do some occasional camping trips, and of course any time I can, I get out on the motorcycle.
What drives or motivates you every day?
I am driven by the desire to prove myself, to prove that I belong where I am, and with the responsibilities I’ve been entrusted with.
What message would you pass onto others?
Be involved in something, Be involved in your job, Be involved in your union, Be involved in change – and take pride in it.
