WFCA Committees & Other Appointments

The following is a list of WFCA committees outlining the function and current membership of each.

BUDGET: Standing committee responsible for outlining and detailing the financial needs of the association on an annual basis (with regular review) and presenting at the October and/or December Board meeting(s) a budget proposal for the following year.

• Chair: Joe Dawson (Spokane 1)
• Donald Foster (Spokane 9)
• Bill Hargett (Clark 12)
• Dale Mitchell (Pierce 8)
• David Wheeler (Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue) 

BYLAWS & RESOLUTIONS: Standing committee which receives all recommendations from the membership that are sent to the WFCA office; processes member resolutions for the annual meeting. Reports to the Board and membership annually.

• Chair: Steve Lich (Camano Island Fire & Rescue/Island 1)
• Dick Deleissegues (Clark 3)
• Bill Hansen (Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue/Jefferson 3)
• Kenneth Kessler (Spokane 8)
• Roger Neal (Pierce 3)

CONFERENCE STEERING  (also known as Conference Host Committee): Committee that represents the local area for the annual conference; responsible for securing some speakers and presenters. 

• Chair:  

EDUCATION: Committee that researches membership needs of continuing education programs and makes recommendations to the Board; responsible for recommending curriculum for both the Saturday Seminar Series and the conference education program.

• Chair: Les Riel (Yakima 4)
• Ken Anderson (Skagit 2)
• Lee Boling (Spokane 8)
• Robert Muhleman (Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue/Kitsap 1)
• Verne Pierson (Graham Fire and Rescue/Pierce 21)
• Kay Smith (Marysville Fire District/Snohomish 12)
• Roy Waugh (Snohomish 7)

EMS & TRAUMA STEERING ADVISORY: Created in statute, the WFCA holds one Governor-appointed position on this committee which is responsible for advising the Department of Health on statewide EMS and trauma care issues.

• Member TBA

EMS BOARD ADVISOR: The individual appointed to serve as the WFCA representative on the EMS & Trauma Steering Advisory Committee also serves as an advisor to the WFCA Board on emergency medical services issues.

• Member TBA

EXECUTIVE: This committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Board and overseeing the day-to-day activities of the WFCA. Specific responsibilities are outlined in Section II of the Policies as Established by the Board of Directors and Article 7 of the WFCA Constitution and Bylaws.

• Chair: Les Riel (Yakima 4)
• Richard Kistler (Thurston 7)
• Joe Dawson (Spokane 1)

FIRE PROTECTION POLICY BOARD: Created in statute, the WFCA holds one of several Governor-appointed positions on this Board. In addition to setting policy on fire protection matters, the Policy Board advises and assists the Chief of the State Patrol and the Director of Fire Protection on all fire protection matters and in developing a budget.

• Sharon Colby (Spokane 3)

FIRE SERVICE LEADERSHIP FORUM: A subcommittee of the Fire Protection Policy Board, the Forum consists of several statewide organizations whose purpose is to discuss fire service issues and work together on common goals.

• Keith Merritt (Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue)
• Dale Mitchell (Pierce 8)

FIREFIGHTER TECHNICAL REVIEW ADVISORY (L & I): Created in statute, the WFCA holds two of several positions on this committee which are appointed by the Director of the Department of Labor & Industries. The committee provides technical assistance to L&I when an inspection or investigation of an emergency response situation reveals potential violations of firefighter safety or health standards.

• Dave Ellingson (Poulsbo Fire Department/Kitsap 18)
• Mark Thompson (South King Fire & Rescue)

IRSRA AND INSURANCE: Appointed by the WFCA Board, the primary functions of the IRSRA Committee are management, investment and security of the reserve funds generated by the WFCA from the statewide health care contract for fire districts. Currently, the IRSRA Committee also serves as the Insurance Committee, whose task is to pursue and investigate various insurance matters pertinent to the operation of the WFCA and fire district programs and report findings to the Board.

• Chair: Jack Hensley (Spokane 4)
• Dennis Bjork (Grant 5)
• Jim Farrell (Mountain View Fire and Rescue/King 44)
• Russ Price (King 40)
• Eugene Carmody (Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue/Jefferson 3)

LEGISLATIVE: Committee that reviews the legislative needs of the WFCA and its membership and monitors interim proposals. The legislative chair works directly with the executive secretary during session on day-to-day legislative activity. One committee member is appointed from each region of the state.

• Chair & Region 3 Representative: Dennis Bjork (Grant 5)
• Region 1 Representative: Pat Kennedy (Spokane 9)
• Region 2 Representative: Bill Wolfinbarger (Asotin 1)
• Region 4 Representative: Miland Walling (Klickitat 2)
• Region 5 Representative: Brian McMahan (Snohomish 1)
• Region 6 Representative: Ronnie Behnke (King 40)
• Region 7 Representative: Bob Barnard (Thurston 9)
• Region 8 Representative: Tom Davidson (Lewis 12)
• Region 9 Representative: Eugene Carmody (Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue/Jefferson 3)

NOMINATING: Standing committee responsible for presenting nominees for Officer and Board positions to the membership. A WFCA past president serves as chair. In even-numbered years, committee members consist of one appointment each from Regions 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9; in odd-numbered years, committee members consist of one appointment each from Regions 2, 4, 6 and 8.

The 2006 Committee members' names will be posted when they are appointed.

• Chair:  
• Region 1 Member: 
• Region 3 Member: 
• Region 5 Member: 
• Region 7 Member: 
• Region 9 Member:

PARLIAMENTARIAN: Individual appointed to advise the chair on parliamentary procedure.

• William Hansen (Port Ludlow Fire & Rescue/Jefferson 3)

PREHOSPITAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE: This is a subcommittee of the Department of Health's EMS & Trauma Steering Advisory Committee which has one WFCA representative. The committee is charged with reviewing prehospital plans.

• Member TBA

The majority of committee members are selected by the WFCA President at the end of each year and terms are effective January 1 through December 31. If you are interested in committee membership, please contact the WFCA office at wfca@wfca.wa.gov.