Washington State Council of Fire Fighters

10/14/2026

🚒 AJ Johnson Elected WSCFF 6th District Representative

Members of the WSCFF 6th District elected AJ Johnson as their District Representative! He succeeds Tim Hoover, who was elected IAFF 7th District Vice President in August.

AJ has a strong record of advocating firefighters and their families, and his work with the legislature has made a lasting impact for all our members. We look forward to seeing his work continue on behalf of the members of the 6th District.

AJ knew he wanted to be a firefighter since touring Marysville Fire Station 61 in kindergarten (he's even been spotted repping an IAFF shirt playing baseball as a kid!) He began his firefighting career with the Stanwood Fire Department in 2007, was elected president of Local 4086 Stanwood in 2008, and helped merge the local into Local 4118 North County Professional Firefighters in 2012. In 2014, AJ was hired by South County Fire, where he served in leadership positions in Local 1828 South County Firefighters. A graduate of the IAFF Political Training Academy, AJ was hired as the first WSCFF Legislative Session Lobbyist and became a WSCFF Legislative Liaison in 2018. That same year, he was appointed to the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters (LEOFF) Plan 2 Retirement Board. He is currently a captain at South County Fire.

"I am looking forward to serving the locals directly in my district and building those relationships for years to come."

As he steps into the District 6 Representative role, AJ is especially looking forward to: "Getting to know the issues that are affecting members locally and working to improve their lives. Building political power within the district to give us a bigger say at the bargaining table."

Congratulations to AJ Johnson on his election as WSCFF 6th District Representative!

Get to know AJ, read his full interview on our website.

Tim Hoover - IAFF 7th District

10/13/2026

Your first shift, your last shift and every election after: what matters is that you vote.

Election Day is November 3. You can register online or by mail through October 26, or in person until 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Vote early. Drop your ballot in a drop box.

10/08/2026

The WSCFF Cancer Foundation is honored to have been selected as the beneficiary of the Spokane Firefighters Credit Union 2026 Charity Golf Tournament, which raised $12,998.19!

This generous contribution will help the Foundation continue providing compassionate support to firefighters and their family members throughout Washington and the IAFF 7th District as they navigate the challenges of a cancer diagnosis.

From connecting individuals with financial planners, DRS, L&I Ombuds, and behavioral health counselors, to offering practical and emotional support, the WSCFF Cancer Foundation addresses the unique challenges posed by a cancer diagnosis.

Thank you to Spokane Firefighters Credit Union, along with the golfers, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and community members who made this fundraiser possible.

Learn more about the WSCFF Cancer Foundation at wscffcancer.org

Tim Hoover - IAFF 7th District

10/05/2026

Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize the cultures and contributions of Latino communities and learn more about the experiences of our union members.

This month, we're spotlighting Alan Rivas, a captain with South County Fire, Vice President of Local 1828 South County Firefightersand co-chair of the WSCFF Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee.

“My heritage is what led me to the fire service, my parents always instilled in me the importance of working hard and making a difference in my community which made the fire service so appealing. I use my cultural experience at work when responding to emergencies and interacting in the community with people of different backgrounds, being aware of different cultural experiences and expectations and making sure that I serve in a manner that allows me to give the best service possible. In union work, I use my experiences and background to connect with members and ensure that our union is inclusive to all members regardless of their diversity.”

Alan is a dedicated union member who gives time and energy to strengthen the WSCFF and support the members we represent. His commitment reflects what makes any union strong: members who help shape the organization for the future. "Seeing yourself in others in places that you want to be is so important, being the first is scary, so when you can connect with your leaders you are more likely to imagine yourself in those roles."

"My hope is that as younger Latinos see me in the community as a firefighter, paramedic, and company officer, they see that the fire service is a possible career option and place for them to succeed. When they see me as an involved member, I hope that they see that they too can be involved and give back to the union. I hope they see that their voices and experiences are important and bring value to the union."

Read Alan's interview: www.wscff.org/hispanic-latino-heritage-month-spotlight-alan-rivas

10/02/2026

“Burn survivors go through one of the most horrific and painful incidents that one can go through. The Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Burn Foundation is about making sure no one faces a burn injury alone, from the moment of their injury, through their recovery and beyond, we are there for the burn survivors and their families-with support, resources, and a community that stays with them for the journey.”

Helping lead that work is Dave Lamb, President of Longview Union Fire Fighters IAFF LOCAL 828 and the new President of the WSCFF Burn Foundation.

Powered by WSCFF members, the Foundation supports burn survivors and their families throughout the Pacific Northwest through hospital outreach at Harborview Medical Center, peer support, and programs like Camp Eyabsut: positive summer camp experience that benefits burn-injured youth.

For Dave, the mission is deeply connected to the fire service: “As firefighters we are all fixers. When we go to work and have citizens calling 911 and experiencing the worst day of their lives, we are there to help them through it. It is very much a continuation of that care or service that we provide to the individuals we interact with in the Burn Foundation.”

Read the full interview with Dave and learn more about the WSCFF Burn Foundation on our website: www.wscff.org/meet-the-wscff-burn-foundations-new-president-dave-lamb-l828-longview/

09/21/2026

WSCFF members and leaders traveled to Colorado Springs to honor the 288 International Association of Fire Fighters members who died in the line of duty in 2025 and were added to the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial.

Among those remembered were five of our own from Washington:
Loyd McCallister, South Kitsap Professional Firefighters
Adam Lamb, Bothell Professional Firefighters Local 2099
Brandon Minneman, Puget Sound Firefighters Local 1747
Bill Mack, Valley Professional Fire Fighters - Local 1352
Jimmy Webb, Puget Sound Firefighters Local 1747

We also honored our Idaho brothers from the IAFF 7th District, John Morrison Jr. of Coeur d'Alene Firefighters IAFF Local 710 and Frank Harwood of Kootenai County Fire Fighters, IAFF L2856 , who were tragically killed in an attack while responding to a reported brushfire.

Their names now have a permanent place at the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial. We carry their memory with us. Never forgotten, always remembered.

09/17/2026

Legislative Update: While the Washington State Legislature will meet from January through April 2027, your Washington State Council of Fire Fighters Legislative Team and Retirees’ Association are at work year-round fighting for the issues that impact your wages, working conditions, and retirement.

This week, WSCFF President Dennis Lawson, and Retirees’ Association Board members Roy Orlando, L31; Curt Vandver, L726; and George Orr, L876 attended the Select Committee on Pension Policy in Olympia (SCPP). Brother Orr was the first to address the committee. A fellow retiree, watching the meeting, commented that his was a “beautiful, warm, and touching presentation and plea to the SCPP.” His testimony is well worth sharing.

President Lawson stated of Tuesday’s efforts, “I had the opportunity to spend time attending the Select Committee on Pension Policy with our WSCFF Retirees Association LEOFF 1 board members, George Orr, Roy Orlando, and Curt Vandver to monitor the conversation that may or may not suggest changes to our plan 1 members’ medical boards. I appreciate their continued commitment and work. It’s a pleasure to have these men part of the WSCFF."SHB 2034: Concerning termination and restatement of Plan 1 of the Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Retirement System, passed by the Legislature in 2026, directs the SCPP to evaluate options for the state to assume responsibility of pension board administration and for the associated financial liabilities and to report its findings to the legislature. The remarks at this week’s committee meeting addressed this issue.

The WSCFF has long opposed changes to LEOFF 1. When it became clear that the legislature would move forward with a transfer, we shifted focus to protecting our members. We successfully amended the bill to add a study over the interim that will provide the framework for moving the governance of LEOFF 1 to the LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board, an important safeguard for long-term oversight. This will require a bill to run during the next legislative session and doing so allows us to keep firefighters and police officers together and provides a sounding board for our retirees comprised of both active and retired members.

While this wasn’t the outcome we’d hoped for, it is important to remember that while SHB 2034 authorizes a $2.5 billion transfer from the LEOFF 1 fund and reduces the funded status from approximately 160% to 110%, it does not alter member benefits in any way. The bill does not change medical benefits, pension formulas, or cost of living adjustments. The WSCFF will continue to advocate for the retirement security of all our members and seek opportunities to improve pension benefits.

09/14/2026

A great IAFF 7th District podcast is coming tomorrow morning! 🚒

Join the IAFF 7th District tomorrow, September 15 at 8:30 AM PST for a live podcast with composer Charles-Henri Avelange and IAFF Assistant to the General President Dr. Joshua Smith. Message Ricky Walsh - IAFF 7th District if you'd like to tune in!

09/11/2026

Twenty-five years ago, September 11 changed our country and our fire service forever.

We remember the thousands of people who lost their lives that day including 343 members of the FDNY. Their loss is still felt across the fire service, by their families and departments and by generations who continue to carry their memory.

We remember the responders and survivors who continue to live with the long-term health impacts of September 11.

We remember them all.

Never forget.

09/10/2026

Our own WSCFF and North Mason Professional Fire Fighters IAFF Local 3876 member Ryan Jones was seriously injured in a line-of-duty fall. We’re asking our community to help support Ryan and his family during this difficult time. All funds raised will go directly to Ryan to help cover medical expenses and other related costs. On behalf of the WSCFF, we wish Ryan the very best in his recovery.

To donate, visit: gofundme.com/f/support-ryans-recovery-after-workplace-injury

SUPPORT FIREFIGHTER RYAN JONES’ RECOVERY

For more than 20 years, North Mason Regional Fire Authority Firefighter Ryan Jones has dedicated himself to serving his community and helping others in their greatest times of need.

Recently, Ryan suffered a serious fall while working in the line of duty, resulting in significant injuries. Ryan has undergone an extensive surgery and is now beginning what will be a long road to recovery.

The months ahead will include continued medical care, rehabilitation, and significant time away from work as Ryan focuses on healing.

After more than two decades of answering the call for others, it’s our turn to answer the call for Ryan.

All funds raised will go directly to Ryan to help with medical expenses, everyday living expenses, and the costs associated with his ongoing recovery.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

DONATE — Every contribution makes a difference. https://gofund.me/71663262e
SHARE — Help us spread the word throughout our community.
SUPPORT — Keep Ryan in your thoughts and prayers throughout his recovery.

Thank you for rallying around one of our own and supporting Ryan during the road ahead.