By: Caitlin Auer
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 position.
Bud worked for 25 years as a fire fighter/EMT for Kent Regional Fire Authority before retiring in 2018. He served the WSCFF as Legislative Liaison from 2003 to 2012 and again from 2018 to 2025. His extensive career also includes lobbying for the Washington Council of Police and Sheriffs (WACOPS), serving on the Covington City Council, being appointed to the Washington State Gambling Commission in 2014, serving as Chair since 2016.
Reflecting on his time as Legislative Liaison, Bud shares his motivations and experiences, providing insight into what the role has meant to him and the organization:
What inspired you to take on the WSCFF Legislative Liaison role?
“In 2003, I had been the political action chair for my Local, 1747 Kent. My first State Council event was the Legislative Conference. There was a new system of two legislative liaisons that had been designed at the 2003 Convention. I had an interest in the work, a desire to learn, and I wanted to take on advocacy for the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters and pass bills in support of the LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board that was created by Initiative 790 in 2002.”
“I came back in 2018, the year both legislative liaisons had separated from the State Council. I wanted to come back with my added experience, and I still had my desire to return to my roots and do this work for this organization.”
What were your initial goals for the role?
“Just to learn. To make sure that what the Board and the members at the 2003 Convention created, the two-legislative liaison model worked. I wanted to learn everything I could about the legislative process and be successful.”
What achievements are you most proud of?
“Developing collaborative relationships with our fire service partners, whether that be our fire chiefs, fire commissioners, volunteers, cities, fire districts… We were able to accomplish a lot through collaboration with folks who can’t always agree, but who have plenty of reasons to work together. That effort helped us pass Regional Fire Authority language that made RFAs possible and workable. Also, labor protections during annexations, updates to the presumptive statutes, and the 2008 initial benefit improvement account, which ended up securing money we needed to do benefit improvement.”
How does the WSCFF’s legislative work impact fire fighters and their families?
“The Washington State Council of Fire Fighters evaluates thousands of bills every year, monitors hundreds, and directly advocates for the couple dozen that directly impact our members. Having an entity that evaluates and advocates for these issues is invaluable. It’s because of our work together that we can address everything from pensions and collective bargaining to funding for local governments, including apprenticeship programs and levies that fund our departments. The investment by the WSCFF and its locals places fire fighters at the table as important issues are debated and decided.”
What were some challenges you faced as WSCFF Legislative Liaison, and how did you navigate them?
“The learning curve for this work is incredibly steep. The process to change the law is purposefully difficult and designed to maintain the status quo. It takes significant momentum and rationale to justify changing the law, and ensuring each step is accomplished in a timely fashion is critical in order to get to the finish line, which is for the governor to sign the bill you’ve advocated for.”
“It’s a huge time commitment for people that do this work. Spending time in this role certainly takes time away from your fire department, and from your family. It’s good that being able to spend that time always felt valuable, however, it’s an aspect that anyone who comes into this role needs to recognize.”
Why is legislative advocacy so critical for fire fighters, and how can members support these efforts?
“There are thousands of bills introduced every year, and just a few cross the finish line. That takes a concerted effort. We are stronger together. Active participation at convention, the legislative conference, and educational seminar, learning and collaborating among ourselves and with the legislative team, helps us prioritize our efforts. The input we receive from our membership is key.”
What advice would you give to those interested in getting involved?
“Be active already. Be involved in your local’s political action efforts. Any member can spend a day with the legislative team. It’s a great opportunity to see what’s going on behind the curtain. I think the WSCFF should continue and bolster their session lobbyist program. I believe this year Nich Gullickson being able to come back after having been the Session Lobbyist, is a great example. He isn’t starting from ground zero, he has exposure and an understanding of how the legislative process actually works. It’s really important that any member of the legislative team, or District Representative, receives support from their local. Whether through work replacements or understanding the time commitment involved. Whatever the local can do to support anybody who gets involved in the WSCFF legislative efforts is super valuable.
How has this role shaped you personally and professionally?
“In every way. I started 21 years ago doing this work. In that time, family changes, friends change, and work changes. This experience made me comfortable as a City Council member and as Chair of the Gambling Commission. It’s shaped me personally and professionally since the beginning.”
What parting words do you have for those you’ve worked with?
“It’s been my greatest pleasure. I have had the opportunity to work with great leaders within the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters. Everyone I have worked with, from legislative liaisons to board members and presidents, as well as numerous local leaders, have been integral in the process to help me grow and learn. Just by pure exposure, I have grown in my leadership abilities because of who I’ve been able to work with. On top of the great leadership within this organization, there are many bright, tremendous people in the legislative arena who care deeply about improving the state of Washington. This has been a surprising and rewarding opportunity in my life.”
WSCFF President Dennis Lawson reflected on Bud’s years of impactful contributions, stating, “It has been a pleasure and great opportunity to work with Bud over the years. He has been a friend, coworker, mentor, and brother. Bud has left the WSCFF better than he had found it. He has given his time, energy, and heart to this organization.”
Bud’s legacy highlights a deep commitment to legislative advocacy and the fire fighting community. His tenure as our legislative liaison reflects a strong career dedicated to collaboration, learning, and advancing the interests of fire fighters across Washington State. We are deeply grateful for his years of service and contributions. All of our members have benefitted from his work.