WASHINGTON FIRE COMMISSIONERS ASSOCIATION
PO BOX 134, OLYMPIA WA 98507 | (360) 943-3880 | (800) 491-9322
The WFCA offers members several educational opportunities throughout the year. General details regarding these programs are listed below, along with links for event specifics, when applicable.
The WFCA offers a Saturday Seminar Series to members during the first half of each year at various locations throughout the state.
In even-numbered years, a New Commissioner / Commissioner Refresher course is offered. This workshop provides a comprehensive guide regarding the role and responsibilities of newly elected commissioners and also serves as an excellent refresher course for seasoned administrators.
In odd-numbered years, a variety of topics are offered to help fire district administrators, such as public meetings conduct, budgeting, managing resources, forecasting revenue and Public Disclosure requirements, just to name a few.
While topics for the 2017 Saturday Seminar Series are yet to be announced, the dates for Ocean Shores and Chelan are set as follows:
The Ocean Shores seminar will be held at the Shilo Inn on Saturday, March 25, 2017; for reservations at the Shilo, please call toll-free 800.222.2244.
The Chelan Seminar will be held at Campbell's Resort on Saturday, June 3, 2017; for reservations at Campbell's, please call toll-free 800.553.8225.
The registration brochure outlining complete details on the 2017 Saturday Seminar Series will be available in late 2016. In the meantime, if you have questions regarding Saturday Seminars, please feel free to contact the WFCA office at 800.491.9322 or wfca@wfca.wa.gov.
The WFCA Board of Directors established an Educational Grant Program to assist certain fire districts and RFAs with costs associated to attend educational programs offered by the association. The grant, available to member fire districts and RFAs whose assessed valuation is $50 million or less, consists of a complimentary seminar or conference registration.
Recipients may designate their chief, secretary or one of their commissioners to utilize the grant; no cancellations or transfers are allowed. The registration does not include hotel, travel or meal expenses (other than the customary group meal functions provided in the registration).
If you have questions regarding this program or wish to apply for a scholarship, please contact the WFCA office at 1.800.491.9322 or wfca@wfca.wa.gov.
Legislative Day is an annual joint-sponsored event hosted by the Washington Fire Commissioners Association and the Washington Fire Chiefs which is typically held early-on in the legislative session. The 2017 date is Thursday, January 26. Click here for complete details and to register.
Commissioners and chiefs travel to the state capitol in Olympia to attend Legislative Day, which begins with a morning workshop. The workshop features a thorough review and discussion of bills that impact the fire service as well as pertinent information related to the legislative process.
Following the workshop, participants who have scheduled appointments in advance are free to meet personally in the offices of their Senators and Representatives (some may choose to do this following the luncheon). Legislators are invited to the noon luncheon which allows an opportunity for them to meet with commissioners and chiefs to discuss relevant issues.
This event provides an excellent opportunity for members to become involved in the legislative process and personally discuss with their legislators important fire service issues.
Legislative Day is hosted by the WFCA in even-numbered years and the WFC in odd-numbered years. If you have any questions concerning this event, please contact the WFC office at 360.352.0161 or wfc@washingtonfirechiefs.org.
The WFCA holds a conference each year during the third or fourth week of October; the 2017 conference will be held October 26-28 at the Davenport Grand in Spokane. In order to receive the group rate, please call 509.455.8888 or toll-free 1.800.899.1482 prior to October 2 and be sure to mention you are with the WFCA when making reservations. NOTE: Rate includes overnight self-parking for one car per room, per night; rate is available for up to 3 days before and after the conference dates based upon availability.
Pre-conference events on Wednesday morning include a Board of Directors' meeting. The hotel will be buzzing with activity on Wednesday afternoon, beginning with the informal Legal Committee Meeting at 1:30. Then from 4 - 6:30, be sure to visit the Vendor Exhibit Tables to meet some of our suppliers in person and check out the great products and services they offer. At the same time, your Board of Directors will be on hand to distribute conference registration packets, so be sure to stop by the WFCA Registration Desk and pick up your materials and say hello to your Region Director. Brian Snure concludes the evening with his annual pre-conference Laws Update Seminar, which runs from 6:30 - 9:30.
Early Thursday morning, associate members Rice Fergus Miller, Emergency Services Insurance Program (ESIP) and D.A. Davidson host a Buffet Breakfast which is open to all WFCA members. This is a great conference kick-off providing participants the opportunity to meet and greet one another prior to opening ceremonies. We are very appreciative to Rice, Fergus, Miller, ESIP and D.A. Davidson for their sponsorship of this breakfast.
Following the breakfast, Opening Ceremonies commence with traditional events, such as the memorial service (honoring deceased fire service administrators) and the keynote address.
Also on Thursday, there is a Suppliers' Luncheon during which participating vendors address the group, give away door prizes and have some fun (tickets are included in the conference registration), followed by educational programs throughout the afternoon. (Conference classes are set by the Education Committee with input from the membership.)
Throughout Thursday, associate members are invited to offer a vehicle display in the parking lot showcasing a variety of fire apparatus. In the evening, vendors open their hospitality suites, serving hors d'oeuvres and beverages. We are very appreciative of the associate members who so kindly sponsor the vehicle display and hospitality rooms for WFCA members.
Friday morning begins with classes, followed by lunch (members are free to explore the local area on their own). The Annual Business Meeting takes place in the afternoon, during which committee and management reports are given and matters such as bylaws amendments and resolutions are discussed. This is your opportunity to bring up issues before your fellow fire commissioners.
Time is set aside during the business meeting for commissioners to vote for the WFCA Board of Directors. Officers are elected annually; region directors are elected for two year terms on the following schedule: in odd-numbered years, directors are elected from Regions 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 and in even-numbered years, directors are elected from Regions 2, 4, 6 and 8. Terms of office begin January 1 and conclude December 31.
Running simultaneously with the Business Meeting is the Eye-to-Eye Exposition. The Expo features representatives from numerous state and other agencies who work with fire service administrators. The Expo offers a great opportunity for informal, one-on-one discussions about programs and issues.
On Friday evening, there is a no-host social followed by dinner (included with registration). During this event several awards are presented, such as the Management Excellence Awards, 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--click here to download an application for commissioner service recognition. The evening concludes with entertainment.
On Saturday morning, a group breakfast is held to install the newly elected WFCA Board of Directors. The cost of the breakfast is included in the registration fee. Following breakfast, a general session workshop is presented and conference concludes by 12:00 noon.
Complete details regarding conference, including class descriptions and registration form, will
be available in August. In the meantime, if you have any questions concerning conference, please
contact the WFCA office at 1.800.491.9322 or
