2 Winter 2020 Winter WSCFF Creates WSCFF Creates Association Retiree WSCFF Working For You WSCFF Working Official Publication of the Official Publication of the Fighters State Council of Fire Washington 2020 Legislative Session 1069 Adams St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501 (360) 943-3030 [email protected] wscff.org UNION UNION MADE PRINTED WSCFF CAPITOL CITY STAFF PRESS OPEIU8/AFL-CIO OLYMPIA, WA EDITORS TABLE OF CONTENTS Helen Kramer Debbie Guillot PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S Therese Murphy 3 President’s Message Happy 2020! Laura Holder This marks the WSCFF’s 81st year of WSCFF Staff IAFF 7th District Vice President’s Message 6 service as a labor organization. As we begin the new year, I’m committed to COVER/MAGAZINE DESIGN Secretary-Treasurer’s Report building on what was put in place by The Rhizome Collaborative 9 those who came before me. I’m honored to continue to move us forward. And I’m Legislative Team Report CONTRIBUTORS 11 pleased to report on several developments Dennis Lawson within our organization. WSCFF President 14 LEOFF 2 Benefit Improvement Dean Shelton Questions and Answers WSCFF Vice President 10th District Representative Health & Safety Committee Report 15 Dennis Lawson, WSCFF President Greg Markey WSCFF Secretary-Treasurer 17 EMS Committee Report Ricky Walsh Retiree Association to dues-paying, active WSCFF retirees. IAFF 7th District Vice President 19 Community Service: Critical to Our Success The IAFF approved changes to the The association will be governed by a Mike Westland WSCFF Constitution and Bylaws as outlined board comprised of three retired LEOFF WSCFF 4th District Representative in Convention Resolution 19-02, and the Plan 1 members, three retired LEOFF Plan FAST PAC 21 WSCFF will create a Retiree Association. 2 members and chaired by the WSCFF Keven Rojecki Vice President who will report back to the The addition of the WSCFF Retiree WSCFF 9th District Representative WSCFF Executive Board, Trustees, and Staff WSCFF Executive Board. 30 Association will allow us to represent active Initial WSCFF Retiree Association board AJ Johnson and retired members of both LEOFF Plans appointments will be made by Secretary- Bud Sizemore 1 and 2 on a variety of issues in our state Treasurer Greg Markley and me. We WSCFF Legislative Liaisons capitol and beyond. The Retired Fire Fighters of Washington reports that the number of anticipate the board will be operational in LEOFF Plan 1 members is declining, and the time for the 81st Annual WSCFF Convention PRINTING AND MAILING SERVICES number of LEOFF Plan 2 members is on the June 16 –18, 2020, in Wenatchee. For Capitol City Press, Olympia, WA rise. As an organization, we must make sure consideration, dues-paying, active WSCFF that our LEOFF Plan 1 retirees have informed retirees may submit a letter of interest along with a letter of support from their home Cover: WSCFF Members Head to the Capitol to meet members in place to represent their interests local. This process will be open February with their legislators during the 2019 WSCFF Kelly L. Fox at the state and local levels. Legislative Conference. 1–28, 2020. Email the information to The new association will provide retired [email protected] or mail it to the office: WSCFF members a unified voice, improved Washington Professional Fire Fighter is published semi- access to and sharing of information, the WSCFF Retiree Association Candidate annually by the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters 1069 Adams St. SE and is provided to its union members and retirees. ability to engage with and give input to the WSCFF on issues impacting retirees and Olympia, WA 98501 Send letters, submissions, and address changes to: their beneficiaries, and the ability to connect After the appointments have been made, WSCFF and network with each other and active the newly created board will decide how 1069 Adams St. SE WSCFF members. Membership is open best to communicate to all retirees and issue Olympia, WA 98501 UNION UNION MADE PRINTED Phone: 360-943-3030 WSCFF CAPITOL CITY View Convention Resolution 19-02 at Fax: 360-943-2333 STAFF PRESS E-mail: [email protected] OPEIU8/AFL-CIO OLYMPIA, WA www.wscff.org Website: wscff.org 3 3 an invitation for general membership. Stay LEOFF Plan 2 Survey participants. I encourage you to stay in As a labor organization, we take tuned for more information. In August 2019 the LEOFF Plan 2 contact with your local leadership and pride in the fact that we operate and If you are not currently a dues-paying stakeholders developed and distributed follow the LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board practice democracy, which has allowed retiree and wish to become active, please a survey to LEOFF Plan 2 members. The for more information. We understand the for creative thinking and the sharing of contact your local to set up dues. If your stakeholders are the WSCFF, Washington importance of this issue and ask for your ideas. This has created an environment of local does not process dues for retirees, Council of Police and Sheriffs (WACOPS), patience as we consider options. trust where local leaders feel comfortable offering ideas, sometimes taking differing please contact the WSCFF office. Council of Metropolitan Police and Sheriffs Your WSCFF Team (COMPAS) and the Fraternal Order of positions on tough issues. We have been Condominium Purchase Police (FOP). Together we represent more The stability of the WSCFF is rooted in the successful because we have been able to Since 2011, the WSCFF has owned a than 24,000 LEOFF Plan 2 members, strength of our membership, your elected come together and support the majority condominium in the Union Heights building both active and retired. Thanks to all who officers, legislative team, and our office as outlined in the WSCFF Constitution near the Capitol Campus. This provides completed the questionnaire. staff. These four legs of the stool are critical and Bylaws and those of the IAFF. By housing for our legislative team and has to maintaining balance on any of the issues recognizing that the organization is greater The survey was designed to help us we face or interests we pursue. than any one local or person, we maintain been a good investment. However, it is understand what our members know about a one-bedroom unit, and we employ Our organization was built by leaders our balance and move on to greater things. our retirement plan and get your feedback As we enter the new year, I’m honored to be two liaisons and a session lobbyist. It on any potential benefit improvements. who had a vision and were willing to seek has become clear to the WSCFF Board, something new and better. They left the in a position to build on the achievements Trustees, Legislative Team and Staff that Here are some key takeaways: comfort of the station and put themselves of those who served before me and to this unit does not meet the needs of the • Most members have a basic in positions that required them to be continue to move the WSCFF forward. organization – particularly for a potentially understanding of our LEOFF challenged every day to do more to better I encourage each of you to become diverse lobbying team. Plan 2 Benefit. our profession and the lives of our members. engaged in your local, your WSCFF, and the IAFF. Together, we are strong! In 2016, convention delegates approved • Most have visited the Washington Your WSCFF Executive Board continues that Resolution 16-24 providing the WSCFF State Department of Retirement Services work. Secretary-Treasurer Markley and I In Solidarity, Board the authority to look for and (DRS) website and are familiar with remain committed to strive for excellence in Dennis J. Lawson purchase a larger space. In October, their accounts. all that we do, keeping you at the forefront President of our mission. our office was contacted about a two- • Most are aware of the LEOFF Plan 2 bedroom, two-bathroom unit available in Board and read the quarterly newsletter the Union Heights building, one floor below “Dual Response.” our current one. We held a conference call with the WSCFF Board, Trustees, and • Survey participants’ age and number of You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers! Legislative Team, discussed the resolution, years on the job varied, allowing a broad spectrum of input. the organization’s finances, the pros and Is it time to renew your Professional cons of a potential move, and whether to • Health care for retirees is a concern. Fire Fighter license plates? retain or sell the one-bedroom unit. The • If a benefit improvement is to be Looking for information about your decision was made to sell the one-bedroom considered, most prefer a benefit that MERP account? and purchase the two-bedroom unit. The would be shared with active and Board’s decision was unanimous. Secretary- retired members. Need to contact your District Treasurer Markley and I held five district Representative? meetings and received positive feedback What’s next? The LEOFF Plan 2 from the members who attended. Retirement Board is responsible for ensuring Curious about upcoming WSCFF events? plan solvency, rate stability, and quality We have purchased the two-bedroom benefits for members and their families. Visit the recently revamped WSCFF.org. unit. We will hold an open house during We realize that any substantial benefit far It’s easier to log in, navigate, and looks the 2020 Legislative Conference in exceeds our current Benefit Improvement great on any device. Some content is February. Watch for an announcement Account capability and will continue to available only to members, so you’ll need to log in with your username and password on WSCFF.org and in the monthly explore options with a focus on what is to proceed.