Chelan 5 Fire Chief Arnold Baker will lead a panel and deep dive into challenges of volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention. Come learn about what’s causing the recent trends and how you can improve your volunteer program. This has been identified as the number one issue for rural volunteer fire districts throughout the state of Washington. Don't miss this opportunity to discuss and provide input on the very important issue.

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Speakers

TJ Nedrow

TJ Nedrow served as president of the Washington State Fire Fighters’ Association from 2013 to 2015. Regarded as a professional volunteer and long-time leader in the Washington fire service. A fire service career that began in 1974 has involved all-volunteer and combination departments, i.e. Selah, Federal Way 39, Broadway 11, and Lacey Fire District 3.

Arnold Baker

Chief Baker held the position of President for the North Central Washington Fire Chiefs Association for 12 years. Baker was elected to Water District Board in 2009. Served on the RiverCom 911 Board for many years, chaired the Board in 2022. Now completing his 27th year as chief, he chairs the WFC Recruit & Retention Committee. Volunteer issues are important to Chief Baker as volunteer firefighters are essential to his department and region.

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Fire District Labor Management Attorney Matt Paxton will map out the collective bargaining process and guide you through how interest arbitration is utilized to address conflicting labor/management issues. This is invaluable for both the new and experienced Commissioner and Administrative staff.

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Speakers

Matt Paxton

Matt Paxton is a principal attorney at CSD Attorneys at Law in Bellingham, Washington. His municipal practice focuses on governance issues, labor and employment, open government, public works and purchases, and interlocal agreements. Matt specializes in working with fire and EMS agencies.

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Legal expert Brian Snure will provide an extensive review of the property tax lid lift process. Learn how you can utilize the multi-year lid lift procedure with inflation protection cost of living, incorporated into each year of your lid lift. Brian will also review property tax proration and how fire districts fit into the constitutional 1% limit. Don't miss this very informative seminar that is vital for all fire districts/RFAs.

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Speakers

Brian Snure

Brian Snure has represented fire protection districts, regional fire authorities, and other special purpose districts including water districts, sewer districts, metropolitan park districts, and cemetery districts for over thirty years. Brian currently represents over 150 municipal clients ranging in size from small all volunteer fire districts located in rural areas to large urban fire districts and regional fire authorities. Brian also serves as of-counsel to CSD Attorneys at law to provide his clients with access to some of the finest lawyers in the State.   

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This class will highlight emerging issues facing labor and management in the fire service. Rich Davis and Aaron Haynes will address staffing levels, response times, family leave issues, and many other items. Bring your questions for our labor law experts. If you have a local union, you will not want to miss this class!

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Speakers

Richard Davis

Richard Davis is a principal attorney in the law firm of Chmelik Sitkin & Davis P.S., which is based in Bellingham, Washington. Richard has been representing municipal governments throughout the state (including fire districts, port districts, public utility districts, and cities) for nearly thirty years. His municipal practice focuses on governance issues, labor and employment, open government, public works, tax levies, and interlocal agreements. Richard represents municipal clients on all aspects of labor relations, including bargaining unit formation, collective bargaining, unfair labor practices, and employment issues.

Aaron Haynes

Aaron Haynes is a graduate of the University of Oregon School of Law, where he was a staff editor for the Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation. Prior to joining CSD Attorneys at Law, Aaron worked as an associate with a firm in Central Washington, a general practice representing employers, unions, and individuals across Washington.

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The popular Eye-to-Eye Exposition offers attendees an opportunity to interact one-on-one with representatives from a variety of state, federal, and non-profit organizations. Participants will also have a chance to win a prize, so be sure to check out the agencies represented at the Expo!

Gov & Partner Registration

Friday’s annual business meeting will feature an overview of the association’s financial and operational status as well as committee reports. Board elections will take place from 2:00-2:30 pm. View current list of nominations.

Proxy Voting Form

Come strut the red carpet dressed in your best! Enjoy some mingle time with cocktails and games before dinner. During the banquet several awards are presented, such as the 2024 Photo Contest Winners, and special recognition is given to commissioners who have completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years of service to their districts or RFAs.

Purchase Extra Meal Ticket

On Saturday morning, a plated breakfast will be served during which the 2025 Board of Directors will be installed and administered the oath of office.

Purchase Extra Meal Ticket

Nationally recognized speaker Sara Jahnke will provide the Saturday morning keynote immediately following the WFCA Board of Directors Installation Breakfast. She will discuss the importance of Firefighter wellness and how it is vital in addressing the issue of post-traumatic stress disorder and how it relates to firefighter mental health. Don’t miss Sara’s very informative and educational keynote address!

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Speakers

Sara Jahnke

Dr. Sara Jahnke is the Director and a Senior Scientist with the Center for Fire, Rescue & EMS Health Research within NDRI-USA, Inc. With over a decade of research experience on firefighters, she has been the Principal Investigator on several national studies as well as dozens of studies as a co-investigator. Her work has focused on a range of health concerns including the health of women firefighters, behavioral health, risk of injury, cancer, cardiovascular risk factors, and substance use with funding from FEMA, the National Institutes of Health and other foundations.

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