Join us in Olympia Washington as we wrap up the first class of the 2018 IAFF 7th District Executive Leadership Series. In this episode, International Association of Fire Fighters 7th District Vice President Ricky Walsh sits down with all 15 participants of the inaugural Executive Leadership Series class. We are joined by Certified Mentor Mediator Donna Hallock to discuss the process of learning professional mediation skills to help the Executive Leadership group to better their skills in interest based communication.

Donna Hallock explains the 8 step process of mediation, and how it works as a structured means to resolve confilct.

Jeff Wainwright talks about how utilizing mediation skills can help to improve the communication process every day at the bargaining table, as well as in our personal life.

Robert Glorioso discusses taking these mediation skills back to Local 106 and how it may help to facilitate communications surrounding difficult issues.

Dean Shelton talks about how using advanced communicaiton skills such as mediation can help to find common ground when building relationships within our communities, and solving complex issues.

Tim Parker discusses the potential for utilizing mediation skills to break down long held barriers, to move forward on issues in Idaho, as well as facilite solutions to problems that exist among locals.

Justin Mack talks abiut using this training to let go of personal differences, bringing all viewpoints to the table, to work with both Republicans and Democrats within the Alaska State Legislature to fix the broken retirement system that negatively impacts public safety in Alaska.


Follow the IAFF 7th District today on all major social media outlets, find us on

Facebook- @IAFF7thDVP

Twitter- @7thdistrictIAFF

Instagram- @iaffmag7

Do you have an issue you would like to bring to the podcast? Drop us a line a social media and we will get ahold of you.

Join us as we kick off the 2018 legislative session. In this episode, International Association of Fire Fighters 7th District Vice President Ricky Walsh along with Legislative Liaisons Michael White, Geoff Simpson, and AJ Johnson from the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters sit down for an in-depth round table discussion about the current political environment in Olympia, and the crucial platform issues being put forth for consideration by our elected representatives.

Michael White explains the importance of funding the local public safety enhancement account.

Geoff Simpson talks about the need to expand presumptive disease coverage, and the importance of adding post traumatic stress disorder as an eligible occpational illness for the purpose of workers compensation.

AJ Johnson highlights the importance of Firefighters and Paramedics getting involved in the legislative process.

Join us in Whitefish Montana during our 7th District caucus for a "Leadership Roundup". In this episode, IAFF 7th District Vice President Ricky Walsh and PR committee chair Reece Williams are joined by all four state association Presidents from the International Association of Fire Fighters 7th District to talk about the specific issues that Firefighters and Paramedics should expect to deal with in 2018.

Montana State Council of Professional Fire Fighters President Joel Fassbinder talks about the need for presumptive cancer converage for Montana Firefighters.

Washington State Council of Firefighters President Dennis Lawson talks about right to work implications for Washington's Firefighters and Paramedics.

Alaska Professional Fire Fighters Association President Tom Wescott talks about the impact of reliance on the oil market for Alaska Fire Departments, and the issues with Alaska's defined contribution system.

Professional Fire Fighters of Idaho President Tom Lovell talks about the success of Idaho's Fire Fighters in gaining presumptive cancer coverage for their members despite being in a right to work state, and how they have been successful in their Legislature.

International Association of Fire Fighters 7th District Vice President Ricky Walsh, along with special guest John Stockman sit down to talk about what is going on around the 7th District. In this episode, Ricky and John talk with Reece Williams from the IAFF 7th District PR committee about pensions, political action, organizing opportunities, right to work (for less money), and what members can do to contribute to the IAFF 7th District Benevolent Fund.