West Thurston Regional Fire Authority Captain Brent Allen Strong (after a long courageous fight against duty related brain cancer) died on September 20th, 2015. Brent was 47 year old (born June 27th, 1968). Captain Strong started his career with Littlerock Fire Rescue in January 1997, after serving for many years as a volunteer with Littlerock (Thurston County Fire District 11), Lewis County Fire District 12, and Tumwater. Captain Strong also served with the City of Olympia and Tumwater as a temporary career firefighter.  Captain Strong was an inspiring leader and Training Officer, who loved to serve his community and mentor his students and colleagues. Captain Strong was a pioneer in the fire training arena and instrumental in the development and success of the Thurston County Fire Academy, Thurston County Training Consortium, Littlerock Fire Rescue and West Thurston Regional Fire Authority...

By Jim Walkowski

A greeting to all of our members. It has been a distinct pleasure to serve as your President.  I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that our great association will encounter during 2015 and 2016. As we prepare for the 2015 Annual WFC Conference, I would like to reflect upon our last conference at which time I was elected to serve you.  We are fortunate as the Board of Directors and our various committees continue to work diligently in an effort to maintain, improve, and advocate for our fire service! 

The Washington Fire Chiefs (WFC) sent a letter to BNSF Railroad on March 6^th, 2015 expressing their concern regarding oil train safety, and requesting vital information regarding worst case scenarios, catastrophic insurance levels, comprehensive emergency response plans and route analysis documents.

BNSF contacted the WFC shortly after receiving the letter, and requested a meeting be set up.  This meeting took place on April 30^th, 2015 and included representation from the WFC, BNSF, Washington State Senate staff, Washington State Association of Fire Fighters and the Washington State Fire Commissioners Association. 

The Washington Fire Chiefs, in a pointed letter, have asked the BNSF Railroad to turn over “Worst Case Scenarios” for an oil train accident as well as “Comprehensive Emergency Response Plans” for high hazard flammable trains.

The letter comes as three oil trains pass through Seattle each day en route to northern Puget Sound refineries. Railroads now transport one-tenth of U.S. crude oil output — approximately 1.1 million barrels a day.“What is the potential impact of a crude oil disaster in Washington communities?” the chiefs want to know.

Writing to BNSF CEO Matthew Rose, the fire chiefs said Seattle “narrowly missed disaster” last July when three tanker cars derailed at a rail yard under the Magnolia Bridge.

The train was going only 5 mph, but the cars that derailed were carrying 27,000 gallons of Bakken crude oil from North Dakota.

Signed by Washington Fire Chiefs Executive Director Wayne Senter, the letter sounded a note of frustration, telling Rose...

It's that time of the year again for Washington Fire Chiefs (WFC) members to consider their peers for nomination for the WFC "Chief Dan Packer Fire Chief of the Year Award".

Nominations for the special award may be submitted by any WFC member or Section member in good standing, including a City or County elected official, an administrator or a fire commissioner.  Nominations must be submitted by April 1st of this year....

In honor of and at the request of Otto and Betty Jensen, a fund was established in 1996 to pay all the costs (registration, lodging and mileage) to a Volunteer Fire Chief and spouse to attend the WFC Annual Conference. This volunteer chief, due to financial limitations of their organization, would otherwise not be able to attend. Please complete the attached Application and return it to the Fire Chiefs office no later than April 25, 2013...

On behalf of the Washington Fire Chiefs Board of Directors and Staff, I would like to wish our members a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  As 2014 concludes, it is important to reflect on the successes and accomplishments the WFC has experienced throughout the year.  From hiring a new executive director, the challenges of the 2014 legislative session, a successful annual conference and educational offering...

Saying goodbye is difficult! Starting a new chapter in your life is exciting!

I will be saying goodbye to all of you as the Executive Director of the Washington Fire Chiefs on December 31, 2013. It was 9 years ago that I started this adventure to help your elected officers Serve, Educate and Lead this great association. I am also excited to pass the responsibility to Chief Wayne Senter who will begin on January 1, 2014 for a seamless transition. The WFC deserves your support and participation and when we are united the fire service is an incredible force. Do not miss an opportunity to be part of building the future of the fire service. The most difficult goodbye will be to Kathleen and Lori who bring joy to me on a daily basis. They love you and the WFC and work tirelessly to ensure goals are achieved. They are the best and they aren't going anywhere!

 

The WFC would like to update you on the situation with Chief Dave Lafave.  Join the WFC and keep him in your prayers as we hope for his speedy recovery.

Subject: Update Chief LaFave 12/9/13

Chief had a good day. He walked 11 laps around the unit which was 1 lap over the goal the doctors set. He talks a lot about the good conversations he has had with the folks he normally would not have had the opportunity to have long conversations with, he is very grateful to everyone for their concerns and various forms of assistance. Still shooting for release on Wednesday as long as everything keeps moving in the right direction.

Feel free to shoot him an email, he is probably up to getting a few now that things have calmed down an bit.