News from the 83rd Annual Convention
History was made at the WSCFF 83rd Annual Convention, hosted by L404 Walla Walla, when all ten District Representatives were simultaneously elected to serve ten newly drawn districts. Incumbent board members Ryan Reese, Mike Westland, Reed Astley, Tim Hoover, Dean Shelton, and Jeff Wainwright were elected to serve their newly configured districts; they are joined by Chris Ross, Tom Fields, Craig Becker, and Matt Martens.
The redistricting adopted by Resolution 21-02 last year affects every district of the WSCFF and creates new board seats in areas historically served by one board member. See a map of the new districts and a list of locals in each district here.
President Dennis Lawson and Vice President Dean Shelton were re-elected, Secretary-Treasurer Markley is serving a two-year term, and Judson McCauley was elected Trustee, joining John Gallup and Tom Reich.
Your leadership for 2022-2023:
Dennis Lawson, L726 President
Greg Markley, L1747 Secretary-Treasurer
Dean Shelton, L3219 Vice President and 8th District Representative
Ryan Reese, L452 1st District Representative
Chris Ross, L2903 2nd District Representative
Mike Westland, L3520 3rd District Representative
Reed Astley, L1352 4th District Representative
Tom Fields, L1604 5th District Representative
Tim Hoover, L1828 6th District Representative
Craig Becker, L2819 7th District Representative
Jeff Wainwright, L3711 9th District Representative
Matt Martens, L1296 10th District Representative
Judson McCauley, L4378 Trustee 1
Tom Reich, L1296 Trustee 2
John Gallup, L1747 Trustee 3
At the meetings of the IAFF MERP and IAFF Health & Welfare Trust, Judson McCauley, L4378 and Christian Livecchi, L2916 were re-elected to their respective trustee positions.
In addition to electing officers, the 248 delegates and 19 alternates presented, discussed, and voted on 28 resolutions to determine the budget and set the direction for the WSCFF in the coming year. Increases in the CPI and several budget line items will increase monthly per capita to $25.85. Resolutions related to political action included ambulance driver training and certification requirements, endorsements for federal campaigns, and establishing the State Fire Marshal as an independent office. Several items related to governance of the organization were considered, including strategic planning and goal setting, District Representative compensation, standing committee chair appointments, and special meetings. Delegates passed a resolution to use savings for needed repairs and updates to the Jimmy Cason Building in Olympia. Retiring District Representatives Mike Bacon, L29 Craig Soucy, L864; Keven Rojecki, L1747; and Trustee Rich Kittinger, L106; were recognized for their service.
In all, 26 of the 28 resolutions were adopted. Find a full list of resolutions here. Remember that progress toward implementing resolutions is reported at the IAFF-WSCFF Jointly Sponsored Educational Spring Seminar. Contact your local leaders or district representative if you have specific questions.
Convention was not all business. Delegates, alternates, family members and guests had several opportunities to network and enjoy all that the community of Walla Walla had to offer. The week began on Monday with a golf tournament to benefit our Burn Foundation and an IAFF 7th District Motorcycle Group ride. Local 404 hosted a barbeque and family fun night on Tuesday at Yellowhawk Resort. On Wednesday night, the WSCFF celebrated the passage of groundbreaking pension benefit legislation that was decades in the making and recognized Legislative Liaisons AJ Johnson and Bud Sizemore and Session Lobbyist Erin Johnson for their outstanding work. Greg Borg, L29, and Rich Kittinger, L106, received the Ricky J. Walsh Fully Involved Award and the Jack Waller Honorary Fire Fighter Award was presented to Representative Steve Bergquist. Senator Mike Sells received the Walt Lambert Labor Leader Award becoming the first person to receive both WSCFF awards.
Elections for the WSCFF Burn Foundation were held during convention. As its structure is the same as the WSCFF, teh Burn Foundation has also been restructured and have all new districts. The Burn Foundation officers and trustees for the next year are:
Matt Ricks, L404 President
Shaun Cuthbert Secretary-Treasurer
Dave Lamb, L828 1st District Trustee
Ryan Pragnell, L2409 2nd District Trustee
Janell Murry, L31 3rd District Trustee
Mickie Randahl, L2024 4th District Trustee
Brian Duthie, L1257 5th District Trustee
Melissa Beard, L1828 6th District Trustee
Caton White, L2032 7th District Trustee
Joe Kendrick, L3219 8th District Trustee
Brandon Ricci, L3711 9th District Trustee
Lacey Young, L1296 10th District Trustee
The WSCFF 84th Annual Convention, hosted by L453, Wenatchee Valley, will be held June 19 –21, 2024, at the Wenatchee Convention Center.