7th District Report

The following report of the 7th District Vice President is respectfully submitted to General President Edward Kelly, General Secretary Treasurer Frank Líma, the IAFF Executive Board, and all officers and delegates to this 58th Convention held in Arlington, TX in accordance with the provisions of Article VI, Section 7, of the International Association of Fire Fighters Constitution & By-Laws.  The report contains a summary of activities within the 7th District from May 2024 through June 2026.   

Since the date Union Fire Fighters and EMS personnel honored me with the privilege of representing the members of Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Alaska, I continue to faithfully serve the members of the District and this International to the best of my ability.  I have attended all Executive Board meetings and completed all tasks assigned to me by the General President.  My actions and votes during board meetings were made with the needs and the concerns of the 7th District members in mind, but also with great regard for the interests of all IAFF members on the front lines every day, as well as those in retirement. A specific duty as a member of the IAFF Executive Board is to serve as chairperson for the Elected Human Relations Committee, Education/Human Relations/Grants, Organizing, Female Health & Safety, and Motorcycle Group committees, and serve as a member on Finance, Governmental Affairs, Legal Services, and Policy committees.  It has been my honor to attend and participate in all IAFF functions and, sadly, far too many line-of-duty memorials honoring our fallen brothers and sisters. 

We have a serious presence on social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram where you can see the happenings in the Magnificent 7th District.  However, we have a recap of our last twenty-four months as follows. 

The office of the 7th District actively creates new programs to benefit affiliate Locals while continuing existing programs with constant review and improvement.  With the assistance of District Field Service Representatives (DFSRs) Curtis Smith (Pocatello Local 187) and Tim Hoover (South County Local 1828), a 7th District program known as “mini-education seminar series” has been enhanced and will continue to educate members with workshops offered at the local grass roots level providing our affiliate leadership the tools to manage their Local and deal with management when issues arise.  The venues included fire house training rooms, hotel meeting rooms, and college campuses.  Training topics were primarily workshops previously offered at ALTS but also included specially designed courses tailored to the location where the training was delivered or to the “hot issues” of the day.  The customized courses were developed by the DFSRs or me.  I thank AGP Josh Smith and Director Newton for their continued support and assistance to me in this endeavor. 

We continue our program implemented in 2022 of our 7th District Principals meeting, whereby our state association Principal officers and 7th District DFSRs meet twice per year for team building, training, and exchange of ideas.  This ensures that our 7th District leadership team can assemble timely for efficient and effective response to issues in the 7th District and beyond if necessary.    

As mentioned above our social media presence is second to none with an established 7th DVP Facebook page, as well as a 7th District Twitter page, and Instagram.  Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are now utilized to disseminate information to District members and beyond.  Also, a 7th District PODCAST was implemented in 2019, where we chat about the issues of the day.  Special thanks to the 7^th District PR Team served by Reece Williams (Local 3219), Jasper Stenstrom (Local 726), Matt Lowery (Local 3520), and Jay Wilkins (Local 3711) for their assistance to keep these social platforms fresh, timely, and accurate.  We will continue to consider various avenues of message delivery to ensure timely uptake of news and other information by IAFF members.   

On another front, the “7th District Caucus” has been an overwhelming success thanks to the commitment of the State Association Executive Boards and 7th District IAFF State Representatives.  States, partners, and the 7th District headquarters are the primary sponsors of Caucus.  The 2024 Caucus, held in Bellingham, Washington, focused the 7th District on the importance of the daily practice of GRATITUDE.  We also team-build at our Caucus and this meeting was no exception as we learned mountain biking.  This talented group of 7th District Leaders taught each other the “how to” of trail biking while absorbing the beauty of the outdoors.  The 2025 Caucus was held in Billings, Montana, where we engaged in the art of crisis communication.  Our team building exercise was a “corn-hole” tournament under the heat of Eastern Montana.  The 7th District State Leadership Team functions together as one with full effort given to all members of the 7th District allowing for opportunity to grow and be successful.  The 7th District Caucus is sponsored by DiMartino Associates and MDA.   

The Magnificent 7th District and the associated State Organizations continue to invest in education.  Annually, each State Association, in partnership with the 7th District Office, presents a joint education conference.  The subject matter varies from generic classes to topics specific to the State in which the conference is held.  Instructor backgrounds vary from Local Union members with expertise to State Agency Representatives.  The 7th District office also partnered with the WSCFF, PFFI, MSCOPFF, and AKPFFA to conduct an annual FIREOPS 101.  After 15 years at the HAMMER facility in Richland, Washington, we, as a team, decided to alternate between HAMMER and the Boise FD training facility.  Odd years in Boise, even years in Richland commensurate with the timing of the state legislatures.  We held successful events in 2024 and 2025.  Invitations for the event are sent to all 7th District Locals encouraging them to bring their local (or state) policymakers for ‘a day in the life of a fire fighter.  During the event, policy makers from the Northwest interacted and experienced a small part of what fire fighters go through on a daily basis.  When at HAMMER, Tri-City Locals 1052, 1296, 1433, I-24, and Walla Walla Local 404 deserve acknowledgement.  When in Boise, Local 149, Local 804, Local 4165, and Local 4627, as well as IC Josh Zimmerly and Aaron Donaldson deserve acknowledgement.  To date, the 7th District team has graduated over 600 policy makers/shapers from the FIREOPS 101 program.  I wish to thank the many dedicated Union Leaders and Fire Service Professionals who work to make these events a success. 

Looking to the future, an exciting educational program was born out of the 7th District office in 2014, titled “The New Member Conference”, formally “Young Fire Fighter Conference”.  The program is designed to be a part of succession planning for every Local and State office, as well as this office, as we educate and mentor new leaders.  The New Fire Fighter Conference is limited to those Local affiliate members on the job for less than five years and those persons thought [by Local leaders] to be a shining star on the horizon for consideration for union leadership positions.  This is a new concept versus the “it’s your turn in the barrel” concept, practiced by too many of our affiliates which is seriously a bad business model.  Since its inception, nearly 2700 new members have participated in this 2 ½ day seminar learning IAFF history, labor history, politics, state association history, real-world views, and where to gather information.  This conference is an annual event in the 7th District and an investment in our collective futures. 

As exciting as the program mentioned above appears to be, another new program born out of the 7th District office titled “Executive Leadership Series”.  This program is tailored to those that have attended many IAFF classes in the past and have vast knowledge and experience.  This program consists of one four day in person meeting and seven two-day in person meetings over the course of a full year.  The meetings are held at locations throughout the 7th District.  The focus of the meetings is to pass on knowledge, skills, education, and training to members seeking higher office within the 7th District.  Items learned are advanced negotiations, organizing, mediations, presenting arbitrations, labor history, state politics, gratitude, kindness, and empathy.  This is real successor training to ensure the Locals in the 7th District are served as our experienced leaders move on and new leaders come into high-level Union office.  Class I graduated (March 2019) fifteen members in total.  Class II (16 members) graduated in March of 2022.  In March of 2024, 14 members of Class III graduated, including our first out-of-district member – Michael Glynn.  We witnessed the graduation of 17 members of Class IV in April of 2026, including Minnesota’s own Josh Nelson.  All of these members are now ready to take the reins from leadership to continue the success and commitment the 7th District exhibits daily and serve as state reps.  Class V will start its journey in April of 2027. 

This office continues to service the Locals of the Magnificent 7th with the assistance of IAFF headquarters and the State Executive Boards.  The work of IAFF State Representatives who are from the ELS cadre, appointed by the General President after consultation with me, cannot be overstated.  The work of contract assistance, jurisdictional issues, and Local business model formulation are just some of their assignments.  This office could not achieve the success it has without the dedication of these Sisters and Brothers. 

The Magnificent 7th District office continues to oversee the 7th District Benevolent Fund, organized primarily to assist 7th District members when they hit bumps in the “road of life”.  This has been a highly successful endeavor that has truly hit its target of existence.  The dollars for the fund are generated by the members themselves through annual events such as the Shad Fishing Derby, the Rum and Diet golf tournament, the Longview Salmon Derby, and the sales of Magnificent 7th District clothing.  Biannually the 7th District Gala, held at the IAFF Convention, is the largest fundraiser for the program.  The Fund is also available to 7th District Locals who have community needs but lack the resources of a charitable fund.  In addition to assisting members or affiliate communities in their time of need, annually ten college scholarships are awarded to children of 7th District members entering their first post-high school experience.  This program is coordinated by John Stockman (Local 2829) and Connie Shim-Sotelo who enjoy promoting at our 7th District events throughout the years.  Thank you goes out to Brother Bill Dodd (Local 710) for his expertise in the initial setup and continued support as the official 7th District Benevolent Fund accountant. 

The 7th District perseveres in its support of IAFF FIREPAC continuing to top the previous year’s total.  I want to recognize and give thanks to all IAFF state and local officers for their efforts and attention to FIREPAC, their state association PAC’s, as well their Local affiliate PAC’s.  The entire staff of the IAFF Governmental Affairs Division are to be commended for assisting me and the members of the Magnificent 7th in achieving more dues check-off locals than any other district, translating to more contributing members.  The Mag 7th has nearly 50% of its members contributing to our IAFF FIREPAC.  We will not stop here; we have goals to raise that bar even higher.  They are truly there when we need them!  

The Magnificent 7th District not only gives dollars to political activity but also gives time and effort.  All State Associations were heavily involved in politics.  In Alaska, the AKPFFA made great strides in electing friendly politicians to their state house in their bid to regain a defined benefit pension plan for their members hired since 2007. During these last two years, gains have been made but again fell short of passing a DB bill and giving the Alaska firefighters the dignity in retirement that is due for serving their communities.  A new governor will surely make the difference. 

In Washington, the WSCFF was actively engaged in elections and continue to make great strides to the point they have cleaned their “wish list” and now defend those strides made in the past.  They are in the final phases of a new Firefighter Memorial that will be on the grounds of Olympia.  Expected completion will be before our next IAFF convention.  

The PFFI fought against attacks on their pension and collective bargaining with friends on both sides of the aisle.  They successfully protected their friends from targeted attacks in the primary and understand the work is never done.  Rob Shoplock turned over the reins to Brother Curtis Smith.  We thank Rob for his dedicated work and wish him the best as he embarks on new adventures.   

MSCOPFF and the rest of Labor worked diligently to protect friends who stood up against anti-labor legislation with much success.  It is still too early to call, and the next convening of the legislature will be a telling moment in Montana for working families. 

The 7th District continues to grow in the number of locals and in membership.  New locals have been chartered in every state in the district during the last 24 months, with many potential efforts still to be explored.  It is a testament to the hard work of the members of the Magnificent 7th District, as we continue to grow even in these uncertain political times. 

I would be remiss if I did not mention and wholeheartedly thank the following State President and Secretary/Treasurer teams for their overwhelming support: (WSCFF) Dennis Lawson and Greg Markley, (MSCOFF) George Richards and Scott DeMarois, (AKPFFA) Dominic Lozano and Justin Mack, and (PFFI) Rob Shoplock and Curtis Smith.  Also, thank you to the State Association Executive Board members, 7th DFSRs, and all IAFF 7th State Service Representatives.  Without their sacrifice and support, the task of working for you would be beyond difficult.  Additionally, I thank all the staff at IAFF headquarters as they exhibit talent and dedication daily to assist the DVP’s, State Associations, and Locals of this great International.  It is difficult to express the proper gratitude in words, to GP Kelly and GST Líma for their guidance and assistance to the 7th District and this District Vice President.  I can only say thank you, and I enjoy the journey that we share.   

Last August, I announced that I would be leaving at this Convention.  My last official day as the sitting 7th District Vice President will be September 30th of 2026.  At that time, I will have served this IAFF for 42 years in some capacity, whether elected and/or appointed.  I cannot think of a better use of a lifetime than to serve our communities as a first responder AND serve our members who serve communities.  Both are difficult as they wear on a person mentally and physically.  The demands of both professions are a great burden on our families.  They truly make as much or more of a sacrifice than any of us. To them, I say thank you for hanging in there with me during this journey and know I love you.  They have seen many versions of me, and recently they told me that this is the best one yet.  It doesn’t get much better than that.  To all of you, my friends and acquaintances, thank you for your contribution to my personal growth as I have learned from you whether I have known you for the entire 42 years or only 42 minutes.  I leave believing that we, the Magnificent 7th District, made a difference working as a team for the entire IAFF membership.  We gave more than we took in our personal and professional lives.  The time for me to pass the torch is right as I embark on a new journey, however, just a phone call away for any of you.  I wish for all of you a healthy and happy life with the practice of gratitude as your foundation.     

In closing, the above represents a mere summary of the highlights of the last 24 months in the Magnificent 7th District.  It could not entirely reflect the continued dedication, difficult work, and sacrifices of the Local and State Leadership or its members on behalf of this great International Association of Fire Fighters.  I congratulate my successor, Brother Tim Hoover, and know he will do a stellar job as your IAFF 7th District VP.  I urge you to consider and debate the resolutions presented to you by the Executive Board, as they address issues that will benefit the members of this great International Union.  This week demands your attention but is also a time of growth.  Cultivate new relationships and solidify old friendships as they are valuable beyond words, never to be taken for granted.  Above all, enjoy your experience at our IAFF convention.  Stay safe!