http://www.iaff7thdistrict.org/

Ricky Walsh - IAFF 7th District, PO BOX 5604, West Richland, WA (2026)

08/29/2026

I have loved and cared for this profession and the people we are so fortunate to serve and care for... but also... this. 🤣🥰

08/27/2026

I recently sent out the Benevolent Fund scholarships to this year’s recipients. It’s pretty incredible to see what our members’ collective efforts can do, by helping support the next generation of workers as they build their futures. ❤️

I love this job.

08/27/2026

Five years ago today, Lieutenant/Paramedic Cody Traber of Spokane County Fire District 9, member of Spokane District 9 Firefighters died in the line of duty while serving his community.

Today, that same community gathered to make sure his service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The U.S. 395 bridge over Wandermere Road was formally dedicated as the **Lieutenant/Paramedic Cody Scott Traber Memorial Bridge**.

There is something incredibly meaningful about this kind of remembrance. Cody’s name will now be part of the community he spent his career protecting. Thousands of people will cross that bridge in the years ahead. Some will know his story. Others may see his name and ask who he was. And because of today, there will always be an answer.

Cody served Spokane County Fire District 9 for 18 years. He was known as a firefighter and paramedic who cared deeply about his patients, his fellow firefighters, his family, and the next generation of firefighters he helped train and mentor. Today was about honoring all of that.

**We remember. We are grateful. And we will not forget.**

May everyone who passes beneath his name be reminded of Lieutenant/Paramedic Cody Traber, his life of service, and the sacrifice made on August 26, 2021.

08/26/2026

As more information continues to emerge from the violent and tragic events in Billings, Montana, we have learned that a Billings Logan International Airport Firefighter, member of Teamsters Union Local 190, lost his wife, children, and other family members in this heartbreaking tragedy.

His fellow firefighters have come together to support Adam and have established a GoFundMe to help him navigate the unimaginable days ahead.

If you are able, please consider donating and helping support this family as they navigate the days and life ahead. Please keep Adam, his family, and his fellow firefighters in your hearts, your love and your care.

Donation link in the comments.

International Association of Fire Fighters Teamsters

08/24/2026

The members of Billings Fire Fighters IAFF Local 521 faced some pretty terrible circumstances yesterday. Keep the families of those impacted, including the firefighters, police, and the entire community in your thoughts and care.

This job can be devastating for so many reasons, and yet so damn rewarding for other good reasons. Reach out if you are struggling. You will always have a place here and in this world.

08/21/2026

Mike Cooper, whom I affectionately called “Your Honor” in recognition of his many years of public service, has passed away.

Mike lived a remarkable life of service. He was a firefighter and Lieutenant with Shoreline Fire for 26 years, a longtime Shoreline Professional Firefighters Local 1760 leader and President, a Washington State Representative, Snohomish County Councilmember, Mayor of Edmonds, Elma City Councilmember, coach, mentor, husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

But titles only tell part of Mike’s story.

He had a booming voice, a huge personality, and an incredible ability to bring people together. He spent his life standing up for working people, firefighters and their families, and those who needed someone willing to fight for them. He understood politics, but more importantly, he understood people. He believed in finding common ground, building consensus, and getting things done. He never stopped being involved. He was at the WSCFF in June.

Mike also cared deeply about developing the people who came behind him. He shared what he knew, offered guidance freely, and remained connected to the fire service and organized labor long after retirement. His decades of service earned him the WSCFF Walt Lambert Trade Union Leadership Award, but I suspect Mike would have been much quicker to talk about his family, his firefighters, or the young people he coached than any award bearing his name.

For 34 years, he was also the unmistakable voice of Warrior wrestling in Edmonds. For so many people, Mike’s voice was quite literally part of the soundtrack of their lives.

I will miss calling him “Your Honor.” I will miss his stories, his perspective, and that unmistakable voice.

More than anything, I am grateful I had the opportunity to know him.

My thoughts are with Chrystal, his children, grandchildren, family, and the many people whose lives are better because Mike Cooper was part of them.

Rest easy, Your Honor. You served well.

08/17/2026

Congratulations to our friend and brother, Curtis Smith, President of the Professional Firefighters of Idaho, on receiving much deserved recognition at the 58th Biennial Convention of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

This leadership award was presented by the General President Edward A. Kelly on behalf of the IAFF and the IAFF 7th District, recognizing Curtis for his outstanding leadership, dedication, and service to the Professional Firefighters of Idaho.

Curtis served the people of Idaho for 29 years as a member of the Pocatello Fire Department and member of Pocatello Firefighters IAFF Local 187. Through his work in the fire service and his leadership within our union, including his work as an IAFF 7th District Field Service Representative he has helped strengthen the voice of Idaho firefighters and advance the values of service, solidarity, and commitment that define the IAFF.

This recognition is so well deserved.

Congratulations, Curtis, and thank you for your continued service to our members, our communities, and our union.

Frank Lima - IAFF GST

08/14/2026

The union locals in and around the Spokane area have once again demonstrated their deep commitment to protecting the lives and property of the residents and visitors to that area. The Spokane Complex Fires is estimated at 97% contained as of today, and the number of structures burned has been revised to 833. It is also estimated that firefighters saved approximately 11,000 structures, and with ZERO civilian or firefighters deaths. That is absolutely impressive and commendable. The sheer value of property that these firefightes saved is estimated to be in the billions. And the value of the lives they were able to protect is priceless.

Now please, for those of you reading this that see this as an incredible victory... it absolutely is... however, your Spokane area firefighters have been doing more with less for as long as I can remember. Despite incredible population growth, and increasing call volumes, these fire departments continue to stagnate, and in many cases, diminish, while everything else that impacts response continues to grow. A poorly functing fire department may save money in the short term, but in the long term it will cost you and I dearly.

Believe it or not, this work also impacts the responders, because as they are actively engaged in battling fires, their families who are part of the communities as well, have to evacuate as well. And with one less person assisting. Its a uniquely stressful situation that takes a toll. To highlight that, there is an article I will link below. You should read it.

Thank you to the members of Spokane Firefighters IAFF Local 29, Spokane Valley Firefighters Local 876, Spokane County Fire District #4 Firefighters L5363, Spokane County Fire District 8 Firefighters Local 3711, Spokane District 9 Firefighters, West Plains Firefighters IAFF Local 5440 and numerous other members and firefighters from across the state and the region. You all did a great job... let me know in the comments if I've missed anyone...

IAFF Peer Support members are engaged in advoacy with the members effected. Keep them all in your hearts and love. Together we can all weather these storms. Thanks for reading.

Link Below

Tim Hoover For IAFF 7th District
Washington State Council of Fire Fighters

08/13/2026

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

I was proud to chair the International Association of Fire Fighters Convention Human Relations Committee in Arlington, TX with Vice Chair, 15th District Vice President Chris Ross of Quebec.

Our committee spent a day reviewing assigned resolutions, evaluating their impact, and preparing recommendations for the delegates assembled at the 58th Convention.

It was meaningful work with these good humans, all committed to building a stronger, more thoughtful, and more inclusive Union. I am grateful to have worked with them all and to do this work together.

Ricky Walsh - IAFF 7th District

08/29/2026

08/27/2026

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08/26/2026

08/24/2026

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