OLYMPIA, Wash. — Spokane Valley Fire Department Chief Frank Soto Jr. and Fire Commissioner Patrick Burch were in Olympia this week meeting with state lawmakers and attending the signing of a bill aimed at improving firefighter recruitment and hiring practices.
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1172 into law, allowing fire protection districts in Washington to dissolve existing civil service systems if approved by a majority of their civil service employees. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Schmidt and Rep. Bronoske during the 2025 regular legislative session.
The new law amends RCW 52.30.040 and permits a fire district’s board of commissioners to vote on dissolving its civil service system, which must then be approved by a majority vote of the affected civil service employees within 60 calendar days. The legislation is intended to provide greater flexibility in hiring and personnel management, particularly for districts that have faced challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified staff.
Chief Soto and Commissioner Burch were present at the bill signing and participated in meetings with lawmakers to discuss the importance of the legislation for departments like Spokane Valley Fire…