Washington State Council of Fire Fighters

08/21/2026

With heavy hearts, the WSCFF reports the death of Retirees Association board member Mike Cooper, IAFF 1760, August 20, 2026. Brother Cooper passed peacefully, surrounded by his family, after an extended illness.

The son of a firefighter, Mike served as a member of the Shoreline Fire Department for more than 30 years. He served as president of IAFF Local 1760 for many years.

In addition to his fire service career, Mike served as Edmonds Mayor, Elma City Council member, and four terms representing the people of Washington’s 21st Legislative District in the House of Representatives

Mike was a champion for working families and the fire service. As a State Representative, he worked to reduce LEOFF 2 retirement age to 53, expand presumptive coverage for firefighters, pass I-790, and implement the LEOFF Plan 2 governance board.

In 2010, Mike was awarded the Walt Lambert Labor Leader award by the WSCFF. He was elected to the Retirees Association Board in 2023.

Mike was a champion, not only for firefighters, but for all workers in Washington. He will be missed.

Information about a memorial service will be shared when available. Mike’s family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the WSCFF Cancer Foundation.

08/20/2026

🎣 Join the Longview Salmon Derby on September 2 with Longview Union Fire Fighters IAFF LOCAL 828 and ILWU Local 21

On May 26, a tank ruptured at Nippon Dynawave in Longview, killing 11 workers. Local firefighters responded to the scene, including one of our own who was injured during the response.

The Longview Salmon Derby is one way our community can stand with the families affected by this tragedy.

100% of the proceeds will go directly to the affected Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers (AWPPW) families.

If you can, grab your gear, join the derby and help support these families.

Register or Donate: longviewsalmonderby.org/

08/19/2026

Cash assistance is now available for residents affected by fires in central and eastern Washington through the state’s Individual Assistance (State IA) program. Visit the link in the comments to see if you qualify for support, how to apply and what documents are required. Eligible households can receive up to $2,250 to help with immediate recovery needs.

To qualify for a Household Needs Grant, applicants must:
Live in an eligible county or Tribal nation: Chelan, Douglas, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens or Yakima counties and lands of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation or Spokane Tribe of Indians

Show that their primary residence was destroyed or seriously damaged and is uninhabitable as a result of wildfires that occurred on Aug. 1, 2026, or later.

The damage was caused by one of the following fires: Autumn Lane, Old Trails, Fairview, Kaiser Canyon, Modrite, Sinlahekin, Bradeen Hill, Hudspeth, Little Giant, Ptarmigan, Ransier/White Swan, Signal Peak or Mitre Rock.

Please help us get the word out and money to those who need it – share this post with neighbors, friends and anyone who may need support as they recover.

Link to assistance in comments: ⬇

Washington Emergency Management Division

08/13/2026

Many of the more than 60 IAFF 7th District members who have graduated from Ricky Walsh - IAFF 7th District's Executive Leadership Series have gone on to serve in leadership roles. That number tells you about the kind of leader Ricky is. As IAFF 7th District Vice President, Ricky mentored people around him and fought for the rights and benefits firefighters deserve. He saw potential in members before they saw it in themselves, and he made room for them to grow. He is proof that this union is only as strong as the people willing to carry it forward, and his dedication to that work is unforgettable.

Naming the International Association of Fire Fighters Executive Leadership Program after him is more than an honor. It's an acknowledgment of a life spent showing up for this union, one person at a time.

Ricky's time as 7th District Vice President is coming to an end, but his work will never cease. It's still out there in the people he believed in, and in what they're doing now for firefighters because of it.

On behalf of the entire WSCFF, we congratulate Ricky Walsh on this honor. Thank you for a career spent giving so much of yourself to the rest of us. Every part of this union carries a piece of what you built.

We wouldn't be who we are without you, Ricky.

This post on behalf of the Alumni, of the IAFF 7th District Executive Leadership Series:

Our District Vice President... completely beside himself as he hears from the floor of the International Association of Fire Fighters 58th Convention a propsed amendment to the presented resolution, naming a newly created IAFF Executive Leadership Program after him. Read on...

As many of you know, the IAFF Convention is where our union comes together every two years to set the direction, priorities, and policy of our International Association. During this convention, delegates considered Resolution 22, titled “Creating the IAFF Executive Leadership Program.”

This resolution was brought forward on behalf of the IAFF Executive Board and reflects an important commitment to the future of our union. It also reflects the intentional advocacy of DVP Walsh, with the support of General President Edward A. Kelly, Frank Lima - IAFF GST, and the members of the IAFF Executive Board.

The vision for this program grew from the success of the Executive Leadership Series, first developed and implemented in the IAFF 7th District by DVP Walsh. That program demonstrated the value of intentional leadership development, real-world education, and preparing members not only to lead within our union, but to serve with humility, purpose, and commitment.

Successor training, leadership development, and the work of building a strong bench of prepared, educated, and values-driven labor leaders are essential to the continued success of the IAFF across both the United States and Canada. The Executive Leadership Series has already proven its value and purpose in the four states of our 7th District. Because of that success, the IAFF General President put forward a framework to model this work through an inaugural group of graduates.
When Resolution 22 came before the convention body, it was amended to name the program the Ricky J. Walsh Executive Leadership Program.

Following the amendment, delegates from across the IAFF spoke in strong support. Many shared personal stories about the impact DVP Walsh has had on their lives, their leadership, their locals, and their understanding of what it means to serve this union. Their words also reflected the lasting influence of the 7th District Executive Leadership Series and the work its members are now carrying forward throughout the IAFF.

After that discussion, the delegates voted unanimously to pass Resolution 22, formally creating the Ricky J. Walsh Executive Leadership Program within the IAFF.

This recognition of DVP Walsh is deeply meaningful because it honors the care, commitment, and personal investment he has given to our members, our families, and the future of this union.

DVP Walsh created the Executive Leadership Series in the 7th District because he believed leadership is not only about the work we do today, but also about what we leave behind for those who come next. He has often reminded those in union leadership that part of our responsibility is to plant trees whose shade we may never sit under.

That belief has been more than words. He built this program during a deeply personal and painful time in his life, while his beloved wife, Kelly, was courageously fighting cancer. Even as he carried that grief and love, he continued to serve others, invest in future leaders, and give of himself to this union.

That is the measure of the man being honored.

On behalf of the members of the IAFF 7th District Executive Leadership Series, Classes I through IV, we offer our sincere thanks and congratulations to our District Vice President, Ricky J. Walsh.

Thank you for your vision. Thank you for your humility. Thank you for continuing to lead through deep personal grief and turning that experience into service for others. Thank you for your belief in the members of this union. Thank you for building a program intended to develop better leaders, stronger advocates, and, most importantly, better humans. And finally, thank you for believing in us.

This honor is well deserved, and its impact will be felt for generations of IAFF leaders to come.

Congratulations, Ricky

08/12/2026

At the 58th International Association of Fire Fighters Convention in Arlington, Texas, WSCFF President Dennis Lawson reconnected with WSCFF President Emeritus Michael McGovern, who led the Council from 1982 to 1996. Two generations of WSCFF leadership, together where decisions are made that shape the future of the IAFF and its members.

“It was wonderful to reconnect with WSCFF President Emeritus Michael McGovern while at the IAFF 58th biannual convention. Mike has remained a staunch supporter of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters and the IAFF.” - President Lawson

is where policy and priorities are established. That’s why WSCFF leadership is there to advocate for Washington’s firefighters and make sure our members’ interests have a voice in those decisions.

Our advocacy doesn’t stop at Washington’s borders. Wherever decisions affecting our members are being made, the WSCFF is there to make sure Washington firefighters have a seat at the table.

08/12/2026

When fire emergencies strike Washington state, our firefighters step up for our communities in their toughest moments. Over the past few weeks, many WSCFF members and their families have faced the same hardships as their community members: evacuations, and in some cases, damage to or the loss of their homes. Now they need your help.

Donations to the Spokane Firefighters Local 29 Benevolent Fund will go directly toward food and lodging for displaced WSCFF members and their families, regardless of their local affiliation. Local 29 will distribute the funds among all WSCFF members who need assistance during this difficult time.

We're asking our fire service family and communities across Washington to please consider donating to the Local 29 Benevolent Fund and help support our impacted members.

Donate Here: sffbt.com/local-29/benevolent-fund/

Every contribution helps.

International Association of Fire Fighters

08/12/2026

08/05/2026

The Seattle Mariners Firefighters Appreciation Day was literally a home run ⚾🚒!

It was great to see WSCFF members and their families out at the ballpark on Sunday. And the best part? Every ticket gave back: $5 from each purchase went straight to the WSCFF Benevolent Fund, supporting firefighters, their families, and communities across Washington.

Pictured: WSCFF Legislative Liaison AJ Johnson (Local 1828) repping the exclusive Mariners Firefighters Appreciation Day cap (complete with our WSCFF logo) with his family and WSCFF members.

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the cause! Go M's!

08/03/2026

The WSCFF stands with the Spokane community as it copes with three fast-moving, active wildfires which across the region. As of this morning, the fires have consumed more than 8,000 acres (according to InciWeb), destroyed more than 600 homes, businesses, and other structures, and forced the evacuation of more than 65,000 people, including some of our WSCFF members.

Our members continue working around the clock to protect lives, property, and their communities while this situation remains active. The WSCFF and IAFF are monitoring the situation closely.

We are keeping everyone in the Spokane area affected by these fires in our thoughts and stand with Spokane and those working to protect it during this unprecedented and difficult time.

07/30/2026

"In 2026, Camp Blaze was proud to host its 12th girls camp, where 24 exceptional young women were challenged, encouraged, supported and empowered to become the very best they could be. We welcomed campers and staff from 10 different states, and our volunteer staff was comprised of 53 different fire agencies from around the country. We thank you for your continuing generous support that allows us to continue to provide Camp Blaze at no cost to campers." — Dr. Dawn Larson, Camp Blaze Board of Directors

These experiences build confidence, develop skills and show young women what's possible in the fire service. WSCFF members have supported the camp over the years as board members, administrators, instructors, and volunteers.

Throughout the week, campers have been building real firefighting skills through hands-on training, including their first live fire experience in full turnout gear and SCBA, rappelling from a fifth-floor window, climbing a 105-foot aerial ladder, learning the basics of vehicle extrication, completing a simulated Physical Ability Test, and so much more.

If you'd like to help Camp Blaze continue providing this amazing opportunity at no cost to campers, please consider making a donation: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=7MTPJTRFSFLTL