In the heart of Pierce County stands Dan Bronoske, a beacon of unwavering dedication to community service.
Bronoske currently serves as a Representative for the 28th Legislative District in the Washington State Legislature. He was first elected in 2020.
With a career spanning over two decades as a fire fighter and EMT, coupled with his commitment to legislative advocacy, Bronoske stands as a local hero, tirelessly working to keep his community safe and thriving.
“I am still a member of West Pierce Fire Fighters Local 1488,” said Bronoske. “I am a 23-year member of the local and I currently work as an engine company captain, Hazardous Materials technician, and fireboat pilot.”
Bronoske’s journey represents a steadfast commitment to public service from his roots in Pierce County to his current roles. He served six years with the Washington Army National Guard before embarking on a lifelong mission to protect and serve as a fire fighter.
Now, his attention is directed towards championing the rights of workers, advocating tirelessly for their fair treatment and equitable conditions in the workplace. “I have sponsored several policies on workers’ compensation that will benefit fire fighters as well as other working people across the state,” he said.
He also credits the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) Political Training Academy for helping him prepare for office. “I am a 2016 graduate of the program. I also served as a session lobbyist for the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters and served my local as the Vice President of Political Action for several years. I have been involved in politics for several years advocating for fire fighter issues and labor issues,” he said.
Bronoske recently sponsored and advocated for House Bill 2091 to create a memorial honoring fallen firefighters at the Washington State Capitol, alongside a proposal for a memorial fund to aid in its construction and upkeep.
Senator Kevin Van De Wege, with Clallam County, Local 2933, presented the bill in the Senate. It passed unanimously in both the House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Jay Inslee on March 13.
“If you are a fire fighter for long enough, you will experience the loss of colleagues and friends. This is inherently dangerous work, and when they put on the uniform to serve communities and provide for their families, they place their own lives and safety at risk,” said Bronoske. “There are several memorials on the Washington State Capitol to include several different armed conflicts as well as a law enforcement officers memorial.”
The campus itself is a beautiful space for community members and family to somberly reflect and memorialize those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Rep. Dan Bronoske, d-Lakewood
With the bill successfully moving through the legislative process, Bronoske’s commitment extends beyond legislative matters as he advises fellow IAFF members on how to be more politically active.
“Be a known presence in your community, be a known commodity to those that work in the political space,” he said. “It is no longer sufficient to file for office and hope for the best. I worked and volunteered for other political campaigns to gain valuable experience and familiarize myself with other candidates and politicians long before running for office myself.”
