10/22/2026
Couldn’t have said it better. We must keep fire departments staffed and funded to help keep our communities safe
We want to take a break from our own campaign today to address the challenges facing our fellow brothers and sisters in Pasco Firefighters and Mason County Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 2394, who are fighting to keep a combined 31 full-time professional firefighters employed.
Financial hardships are not geographically isolated. Over the last decade, fire departments across the nation have faced increasing call volumes, rising operating costs, and growing expenses for fire apparatus, equipment, and personnel. None of these challenges are fire departments' fault, yet they must shoulder the burden of providing the highest level of service possible while operating within increasingly restrictive budgets.
The reality is, when someone calls 911, unless law enforcement is specifically required, firefighters always answer the call. From medical emergencies and vehicle collisions to fires and rescues, water leaks, sewer problems, and anything and everything in between, we are always there.
Fire departments must always have appropriate funding and staffing to operate in an ever-changing, fast-paced environment.
At the end of the day, when you call 911, you expect someone to show up. Unfortunately, in some communities, that expectation is becoming harder to meet.
In solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Pasco and Central Mason.
