Presidents Corner
Presidential Biographies
Andrew Schaffran, President 2015-2017
Highlights during WSFFA tenure
- Member of the Association board since 2011.
- Served as Association President from 2015-2017.
Highlights during firefighting career
- Started at Cowlitz County FD 3 in 1990.
- Served as Company Officer, Command-Level Officer, and Fire Chief.
When did you retire from the fire service?
- Not retired yet. Currently serving as Fire Chie for Sound Thurston Fire & EMS.
Anything else you would like to add?
- I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Administration and graduated from the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program.
RON ROY, President 2003 – 2005
Accomplishment as President
- Changed telephone soliciting companies; a great financial move for the association.
Highlights during WSFFA tenure
- Purchased the Fire Blast trailer and provided live fire training around Washington State.
- Appointed as Washington NVFC Director in 2004.
- Served as Benefits Coordinator since 2006.
- Served as National Benefit Summit facilitator.
Highlights during firefighting career
- Joined Chelan County Fire Dist. 1 in 1973 where I served for 20 years, then moved to Douglas County Fire District. In 2020, I was asked to be the Division Chief over both departments. In 2022, they formed the current Wenatchee Valley Fire Department RFA (Regional Fire Authority).
When did you retire from the fire service
- Not quite retired yet. I have served 50 years so far.
What do you like to do for fun?
- Snowbird with wife Marti, in Arizona for golfing and Wenatchee in the summer.
Anything else you would like to add?
- Retired from work in May, 2019.
Timothy McKern, President 2001-2002
Accomplishments as President
- Strived to be a leader for the volunteers with an eye on the prize. Always kept mission/vision of the fire service out front.
- Honored to bring forth the mission/vision of the WSFFA externally; to be the direct contact to fire service stakeholders.
- Serviced as Vice President and President between 1995 and 2002.
Highlights during WSFFA tenure
- Recruitment and Retention programs and grants.
- Training and education the fire service of tomorrow.
- Voice in Olympia/Washington DC for the fire service and volunteers.
- Strived to keep volunteers informed as it relates to legislative matters, working with stakeholders, NVFC, WFC, WFCA WCFF to increase our positive relationships.
Highlights during firefighting career
- 45 years in the fire service, currently as Chief.
Anything else you would like to add?
- Continue with the Recruitment/Retention training and grants. We are losing volunteers daily. We have to be the leader and help set direction.
Lloyd Hazzard, President 1993
Accomplishments as President
- Renewed efforts with the WSFFA conference Make & Break and Hose Evolutions.
- Reno night in Yakima.
- Assisted with the Firefighters Memorial at North Bend.
- Being a part of the WSFFA made me a better leader. Upon leaving the WSFFA board, I became chairman of the Washington State Training and Safety Association for more than 15 years.
Highlights during WSFFA tenure
- Master Stream magazine publishing
- Legislation for the Volunteer Firefighter license plate with a lot of help from T.J. Nedrow.
- Helped improve the training center at North Bend.
- Always promoted the WSFFA Fire School.
- Championed efforts in Olympia for improvements to the North Bend Fire Training Center.
- Service on the Board from 1983 through 1993 as Treasurer, 2nd Vice President, and President.
Highlights during firefighting career
- Proud to be the recipient of the Pop Weaver Award for Captain of the Hose Evolution Team.
- 33 years in the fire service, retired as Deputy Fire Chief.
JACK QUIEN, President 1989-1990
Highlights during WSFFA tenure
- Member of the Association Board from 1980 – 1996.
- Served as Association President from 1989-1990.
- Chairman of the Fire Service Training Center campground committee.
- Worked to help pass legislation to create the Fire Protection Board (Fire Service funding).
- Helped revise the Annual Fire School and started “Brainstorming after Fire School” effort.
- Worked on increasing WSFFA membership.
- Introduced WSFFA logo clothing.
- Served on Washington State Fire Protection Policy Board Firefighters Standards Committee.
- Helped initiate the volunteer firefighter license plate effort.
- Helped develop the WSFFA phone tree and department representative program.
- Emphasized and encouraged good communications with other fire service organizations (i.e., WSCFF, WFC WFCA and local fire departments).
Highlights during firefighting career
- Served as Station Chief for Grays Harbor Fire Dist. #2 from 1971 to 1996.
- Several things we accomplished were procuring new equipment and apparatus upgrades, new procedures, training and station upgrades.
- Awarded Community Firefighter of the Year.
- Served as President of the Grays Harbor County Fire Chiefs’ Association.
- Promoted good relationships with fire departments throughout the county.
When did you retire from the fire service?
- 1996.
Anything else you would like to add?
- The Fire Service has had a positive impact on my life. Together, we accomplished our goals by practicing problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills. Most important are the lifelong friendships I have made with the best people.
T.J. NEDROW, President, 1996, 1998, 2007-2009, and 2013-2015
Accomplishments as President
- Fire Protection Policy Board Certification Committer: As committee Chair led in the establishment of the Washington State fire service certification and accreditation process.
- Washington State Fire Fighters' Association Project Administrator: Creating a volunteer firefighter license plate and resulting financial stability of the WSFFA Benevolent fund.
- Volunteer representative to the Governor’s Fire Protection Policy Board for twelve years; five as Chairman.
- Co-Founder and Chairman of the Washington TIM Coalition.
- Washington State Annual Fallen Firefighter memorial. With leadership participation beginning in 1991, the event has evolved into one, succinctly fitting to honor brother and sister firefighters that have given their all
Highlights during WSFFA tenure
- Currently serve as Association President Emeritus and Secretary
- Served as a member of the Association since 1988 and held a number of roles including; Board of Trustees, Legislative Chairman, WFC Recruitment & Retention Committee, WA State 911 Advisory Committee, and WA Fallen F/F Foundation.
- Represented Washington volunteers on the Governor’s Fire Protection Policy Board member, Chair of the Board’s Certification and Accreditation Guideline Committee.
- Appointed in 2002 as a Washington Director to the National Volunteer Fire Council, with current assignments of Secretary of NVFC’s EMS/R Section, Legislative Committee Vice-Chair, and member of Standards & Codes, Behavior Health and Communications & Technology committees.
- Other assignments include; Volunteer Firefighter rep to NFPA 1720 & 1091 committees, Transportation Research Board Subcommittee on Emergency Responders, CVVFA Emergency Responder Safety Institute Membership/Leadership Board.
Highlights during firefighting career
- Recognized by the WSCA and WFCA for decades of commitment to leadership and partnerships with their associations.
- Training countless volunteers that resulted in successful firefighting careers.
When did you retire from the fire service?
- In 2015, I retired from incident readiness & response after serving at both all-volunteer and combination departments for over 41 years, including; Selah, Federal Way 39, Broadway 11, and most recently, Lacey Fire Dist. 3. as a volunteer Command Officer. Other positions included; FD EMS Officer, Fire Investigator, Open Burning Ranger and a multitude of training division assignments.
What do you like to for fun?
- Continue to remain active in the fire service on multiple fronts inside and outside of the WSFFA.
- Spend time traveling with my wife Rachel and enjoying our two son’s families whenever we can.
Anything else you would like to add?
- My current goal is to fulfill efforts with a formal and permanent Washington Fallen Firefighters Memorial.
- “My goal has always been to represent the volunteer to the greatest degree possible and leave volunteer firefighters better off than I found them.”
EDWIN JOHNSON, President 1985 - 1986
Highlights during WSFFA tenure
- Was an instructor for two Annual Fire School classes; “The Firefighter and Electrical Hazards”, a class that I collaborated with Seattle Fire Department to develop and taught at various departments around the state.
- The second class I created and presented at the Annual Fire School was The Firefighter and Radiation Hazards”.
- Helped to initiate the effort to establish a volunteer firefighter license plate.
- Produced a WSFFA magazine called “Masterstream” so members could keep more closely tuned in to the activities of the Association and also could share stories about their own departments.
- Attended the Oregon Volunteer Associations conference and training session to see what they did and how they did it.
- Served as Association 2nd VP in 1982, 1st VP 1983/4, President 1985/86 and Secretary 1985-1995.
Highlights during firefighting career
- Washington State Board of Volunteer Firefighters, 3 terms.
- Presenter at the Chief’s Conference as a member of a three-person leadership for a discussion group.
When did you retire from the fire service?
- I spent 31 years at King County Fire District 2, Burien as Battalion Chief.
Anything else you would like to add?
- It would be great to consider having the Association represent both volunteer and career firefighters.
- It would also be great to bring back competitions as they provided some great hands-on experience needed for fighting fires as well as great camaraderie between teams.
WAYNE GARDEN, President 1983 - 1984
Highlights during WSFFA tenure
- Helped build the Washington State Fire Training Center. The Association was part of the purchase and installation of the plaque on the rock at Fire Training Center.
Highlights during firefighting career
- After returning from military service in Viet Nam, I started volunteering at the Parkland Fire Department in 1972, and whenever possible spent “sleeper nights” at the station. At that time, Pierce County was heavy with volunteers, some type of residential program and very few career firefighters.
- Hired on with Parkland Fire as the 6th career firefighter.
- Served in various board position for the Puget Sound Fire Fighters Association, including president.
- Appointed to Advisory Board for forming the North Bend Fire Training Academy by Governor Dixie Lee Ray.
- Helped to form Central Pierce Fire & Rescue (CPFR). Later they dedicated a new training tower to me.
- Rose through chairs of Pierce County Training Officers and became Zone 7 coordinator.
- Was one of the incident commanders for Pierce County Type 3 team till retired.
When did you retire from the fire service?
- I retired in 2016 with 44 years with the fire service.
What do you like to for fun?
- Ran competitive hose drill where we won State once and “Pop “Weaver” award twice. Served as a judge later on.
- Enjoyed playing on the CPFR softball team, wining some tournaments.
- Active as an instructor for “Active Shooter” training with law enforcement.
Anything else you would like to add?
- Married for 50 years this year. We have 2 sons and 2 grandchildren.
WAYNE BRITTON, President 1978-1978
Accomplishments as President
- Appointed an Associate representative to The National Volunteer Fire Council.
Highlights during WSFFA tenure
- In charge of the WSFFA competitive drills at the Annual Fire School for 3 years.
Highlights during firefighting career
- Served from 1948 as a volunteer with Burien Fire Dept until my retirement in 1979 from King County Fire Dist. 2 as Fire Chief.
- Served as a paid firefighter at King County Fire Dist. 2 in 1960, advancing to Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief and Chief in 1974.
- Instructor at the Fire Service Training.
- Participated on Make & Brake and Hose Evolution drills at the Annual Fire School as well as area department competitions.
- Started King County Medic 1 and served as Administrator for 3 years.
- Served as a member of the King County Fire Chiefs Association for 2 years.
- My father and 3 brothers all served as volunteer fire fighters at different departments.
When did you retire from the fire service?
- Retired from Washington State Fire Service Training in 1992.
- After retirement, worked full time for Fire Service Training as an area coordinator out of Wenatchee, WA.
- Involved in the development of the North Bend Fire Training Center and served as Administrator for 3 years.
What do you like to for fun?
- Ran competitive hose drill where we won State once and “Pop “Weaver” award twice. Served as a judge later on.
- Enjoyed playing on the CPFR softball team, wining some tournaments.
- Active as an instructor for “Active Shooter” training with law enforcement.
Anything else you would like to add?
- My wife Maryanne and I enjoyed camping, water skiing and friends at our lake property at Lake Limerick in Shelton, WA.
- As much as we can, we spend time with our children and grandchildren.
- We spent the last 20+ years as snowbirds traveling to Arizona to spend the winter months. Just this year we sold our Arizona home to live year around on Lake Limerick.
FRED ALLINSON, President 1980
Accomplishments as President
- Proud to have led efforts representing the volunteer and WSFFA at the State level.
Highlights during WSFFA tenure
- Served 17 years as the WSFFA Conference Supervisor.
- Appointed by the Governor in 1986 to the Washington State Fire Protection Policy Board where I served until 1992.
- One of the founding Board of Directors to the National Volunteer Fire Council in 1987. , and served as Board Chairman from 1995 to 2001.
- Association Board member from 1973-1983.
- The WSFFA Fire School Scholastic Award was created to recognize the Annual Fire School’s top scholastic score in the Fire School’s scholastic track. It was later renamed the Fred Allinson Scholastic Award in 1992.
Highlights during firefighting career
- Named Fire Chief Magazine’s 1999 Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year.
- Member of the North Highline Fire District where I served as Battalion Chief and the department’s Volunteer Coordinator until my retirement.
When did you retire from the fire service?
- Retired from Washington State Fire Service Training in 1992.
- After retirement, worked full time for Fire Service Training as an area coordinator out of Wenatchee, WA.
- Involved in the development of the North Bend Fire Training Center and served as Administrator for 3 years.