Looking for the perfect retirement gift for the one and only Gary Barker?
As he embarks on his next chapter, Gary will finally have plenty of time to focus on his favorite hobby—golf. To help support his soon-to-be full-time golf habit, cash gifts are greatly appreciated. Every little bit helps keep him on the fairway and out of trouble!
QR codes for his Cash App and Venmo are attached. Thanks for helping us send Gary into retirement in style!
Brothers and Sisters,
I want to take a moment to address concerns that have recently surfaced regarding members attending specialty-related training while on a current specialist eligibility list.
Your Executive Board firmly believes that members should be supported and appropriately compensated for off-duty training that enhances their skills and benefits the department. While we recognize that achieving meaningful progress in this area may be challenging, we remain committed to advocating for improved support and fair consistent treatment for our members.
We are actively engaged in discussions with administration regarding staffing coverage and support for members attending introductory specialty courses prior to appointment into a specialist position. Over the past several years, it has become increasingly common for members to attend these classes before being selected for specialty assignments. Unfortunately, department support in the form of staffing coverage and overtime compensation has been inconsistent.
This issue is scheduled for discussion at next week’s Labor-Management meeting, where we intend to have a thorough conversation with administration and work toward a more consistent and equitable approach.
Until those discussions take place, we are asking members to refrain from attending specialty-related classes on their own time if such classes would be provided or compensated after appointment to a specialist assignment.
We understand this request may require patience and flexibility, but a unified approach will strengthen our ability to advocate for a fair and consistent process moving forward.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your Shop Steward or a member of the Executive Board.
In Service,
Tyler Eliason
L1352 President
Hey you… yeah, you.
You like energy drinks? Don’t answer that — if you’re reading this while holding one, we already know the truth.
Thanks to the generosity of Olympic Eagle Distributing, we’ve got some drinks waiting for Local 1352 members up at Station 34. Swing by and grab a few while supplies last.
Big thanks to Gus for helping make it happen. Thank him anyone you see fit, he says he’s a great kisser 💋 and is ok if you get handsy
Feel free to tag Olympic Eagle Distributing and Phorm Energy in your photos enjoying them around the station, at the gym, or on the drill ground using hashtag #gifted ⚡🚒
Reminder that if you’re interested in getting a Dexa scan, please sign up as soon as possible. We need to have 24 people signed up each day. You can use your Benny card (HSA/FSA eligible). Friends and family are welcome to sign up. Lots of info on the sign up links, but if you have any questions, please reach out to me.
-Ryan Simpson
253-212-6622
https://www.bodyspec.com/scan-me/valley_professional_firefighters_local_1352/2026-06-11
https://www.bodyspec.com/scan-me/valley_professional_firefighters_local_1352/2026-06-12
Brothers & Sisters,
At tonight’s union meeting, we will have a guest speaker. Brother Tim Hoover is seeking Local 1352’s support in his campaign for IAFF 7th District Vice President and has asked to address the body. Attached is his announcement letter outlining his background and qualifications.
I’d like to see a stronger turnout than just the duty crew and a handful of off-duty members, so if you’re available, please make your way down to the meeting. Stay afterward for some fellowship and conversation with your brothers and sisters.
In Service,
President Eliason
🔥 After 34 years of keeping the wheels on the rig and the crews in line, Battalion Chief Gary Barker is hanging up the helmet! Help us celebrate this legend as he heads into retirement life—where the only tones he’ll hear are from his alarm clock (if he even keeps one).
👉 Check out the retirement party invite and come send him off right.
Link: Retirement Party | Partiful
At last night’s union meeting, we talked about kitchen tables at not only the new stations, but also our existing stations. The plan is to build custom tables for each station. Station 36 will be the first table built and then we’ll move on from there. Each table will have the same basic design with station numbers in opposite corners, but each table will also be unique due to the different wood slabs that will be used. Each table is going to cost approximately $10,000. The plan is to be a joint cost share between the Union and the VRFA. Last night at the meeting, a motion was passed to spend up to $6,000 each on 6 tables for a total of $36,000. I have attached a mockup of the tabletop and an example of what the bases will look like. The beam on the base will have Valley Professional Firefighters Local 1352 inset and epoxied as well. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please reach out to me or anyone else on the kitchen table design committee (Ryan Freed, Dan Sequist, Cory Wallace, and Scott Austin). Question period will be through this Sunday and the referendum vote will run from 9am March 16th to 5pm March 20th.
-Ryan Simpson
This year, several ceremonies across the country will recognize and honor our fallen brother, Bill Mack. The VRFA Honor Guard and the Mack Family will be attending each event, and we are encouraging participation from the members of Local 1352.
If you are interested in attending any of the memorials, please contact Ryan Simpson at 253‑212‑6622 or [email protected] at your earliest convenience. More detailed information will be shared as we get closer and have a better idea of attendance.
2026 Memorial Events
May 3, 2026
June 14, 2026
September 19, 2026
Let’s come together to honor Bill, support his family, and stand united in remembrance.
Brothers & Sisters
Just wanted to give a few reminders with the BOG approving the FF, Capt & FM contract.
● Union SL bank – Per the contract a 500Hr Union SL bank is being created. Each member of the bargaining unit will see a deduction of 4.5 Hrs from their SL bank on their 1/22 pay check to establish the bank.
● Union Leave Bank – Each member of the local will have 2 Hrs of Vacation deducted from their 1/22 pay check to replenish the Union leave bank.
● Vacation Sell Back – A reminder to those covered under the FF, Capt & FM CBA & assigned to shift that use Vacation sell back. Under the new contract it will be a portion of your 6 Holidays (previously FH) that will be sold back in December. If you plan to sell back, make sure you are managing your Holiday & Vacation usage appropriately.
If you have any questions about the above items or the contract in general, please reach out to your shop steward or a member of the E-board. We should have the official copy of the contact for your viewing pleasure in the next week or so.
In Service,
President Eliason
Brothers & Sisters
Tonight, the BOG will be discussing and voting on the 26-28 FF CBA. I would like to get members in the room during the BOG meeting when the vote happens. The BOG meeting starts at 5:15 and they will take care of all the normal business, then they will have an executive session only open to the BOG and senior staff to discuss the contract. They will open the meeting back up to the public to make a motion and vote on the contract. If you can make it to the union meeting tonight, come early to sit in on the BOG meeting.
In Service,
L1352 President
Tyler Eliason