East Jefferson Professional Firefighters

09/03/2026

08/21/2026

Our deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of brother Cooper. His dedication to improving the lives of firefighters will not be forgotten.

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

Thank you to the PDN for covering this generous donation. Great job to Trevor and Tammy for helping make the AED donation happen.

Donor provides funding for 18 AEDs to be added to deputies’ vehicles

08/19/2026

Brinnon and Quilcene Professional Firefighters are working together to address staffing challenges while reducing the need for mandatory overtime.

Brinnon Fire Department and Quilcene Fire Rescue, along with their respective bargaining units, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding allowing career firefighters from either department to fill staffing vacancies at the other agency when needed.

The MOU gives both departments another tool to maintain career staffing before requiring members to work mandatory overtime. For two small rural fire departments, having the ability to share qualified personnel provides additional flexibility while keeping firefighters available to serve our communities.

This agreement is a great example of labor and management working together to find practical solutions that support our members and maintain reliable emergency response in Brinnon and Quilcene.

Strong work by everyone involved in getting this agreement across the finish line.

08/13/2026

Thank you Ricky Walsh - IAFF 7th District for your leadership in the Magnificent 7th District. This honor is well deserved and your legacy is unmatched.

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

President Caton White and Brinnon Vice President Chris Dolan are in Arlington, Texas this week representing East Jefferson Professional Firefighters at the IAFF 58th Annual National Convention.

They’re joining firefighters and union leaders from across the country to develop policy and priorities for the betterment and safety of firefighters throughout the US and Canada.

08/10/2026

As wildfire activity continues across Washington, members of East Jefferson Professional Firefighters are once again out supporting communities around the state.

Two career East Jefferson firefighters are currently assigned to the Little Giant Fire staffing a brush truck, while a career Brinnon firefighter is assigned to the Backbone Fire staffing an ambulance.

While our members are out assisting communities across Washington, both departments remain fully staffed at home and ready to respond to calls in our local communities. State mobilization allows firefighters to help where resources are needed most without reducing the staffing our communities rely on every day.

Stay safe out there, and we look forward to having everyone back home soon.

08/05/2026

Lives are going to be saved in Jefferson County!

Today, we officially handed over 18 brand-new AEDs to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, ensuring life-saving equipment is packed inside every deputy's patrol vehicle. Because deputies may be the first to arrive at a medical emergency, this critical tool will help us further improve our community's already exceptionally high ROSC (Return of Spontaneous Circulation) rates.

This massive milestone was made possible by an incredible $22,000 anonymous private donation. To keep this program sustainable, IAFF Local 2032, the Friends of EJFR, and JCSO are partnering up to provide ongoing training, pad replacements, and equipment maintenance.

Our mission to expand public AED access across the county continues. If you or your organization would like to support our ongoing AED program, please contact us at [email protected] to see how you can make a difference!

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, WA.

08/05/2026

A big thank you to everyone who got out and voted yesterday. Local elections have a real impact on our communities, and we appreciate everyone who took the time to make their voice heard.

While these results are still preliminary and more ballots remain to be counted, Brinnon Fire and Quilcene Fire are both currently on track for approval of their Fire and EMS levy lid lifts. We appreciate the continued support our communities have shown for their firefighters and the emergency services we provide.

We’d also like to congratulate Adam Bernbaum, who is currently leading in the State Representative race based on the preliminary results.

We also want to thank everyone who put their name on the ballot and ran for office. Running for public office takes time, commitment, and a genuine desire to serve your community, and we appreciate everyone who participated in this election.

Thank you again to everyone who voted. We’ll continue following the results as the remaining ballots are counted.

08/04/2026

It’s Election Day!

East Jefferson Professional Firefighters is proud to endorse:

✅Jean Ball for Jefferson County Commissioner

✅Adam Bernbaum for State Representative

We’re also asking voters to support our local fire districts by voting:

✅YES on the Quilcene Fire Levy Lid Lift

✅YES on the Brinnon Fire & EMS Levy Lid Lift

If you haven’t returned your ballot yet, now’s the time. Every vote matters. You have until 8PM!

Drop box locations: https://www.co.jefferson.wa.us/1493/Ballot-Drop-Boxes

Thank you for supporting your local firefighters and the communities we serve.