HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2021-4620

HR 4620

ByRepresentatives Graham, Chambers, Jacobsen, Robertson, Dufault, Eslick, MacEwen, Abbarno, McCaslin, Mosbrucker, Klippert, Dye, Walsh, Ybarra, Fitzgibbon, Boehnke, Leavitt, Bronoske, Schmick, Barkis, Riccelli, Lovick, Sells, Corry, Orwall, Shewmake, Dent, Chandler, Kraft, Ryu, Goehner, Walen, Klicker, Callan, Caldier, and Chase

WHEREAS, Firefighters in the State of Washington risk their lives every day to protect the lives, property, and well-being of our citizens; and

WHEREAS, There are over 8,000 men and women who serve as firefighters and over 10,000 who have served as volunteer firefighters in the State of Washington; and

WHEREAS, 16 of Washington state's firefighters, both active and retired, have died since 2019, as well as two volunteer firefighters; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters have continued fulfilling their sworn duties, despite the threat of COVID-19 in our state; and

WHEREAS, We recognize the additional risks firefighters have faced as first responders on the frontlines of the pandemic in our nation; and

WHEREAS, Last year, our state experienced some of the worst wildfires in the nation, and the Washington wildfire season saw more individual fires than any prior year, causing the air quality in our state to reach unprecedented dangerous levels; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters braved these wildfires and COVID-19 concurrently, with their hard work and sacrifice undoubtedly saving countless lives; and

WHEREAS, Washington's firefighters deserve to be honored for their unwavering dedication to ensuring the well-being of our citizens amidst the wildfires and the pandemic;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express its utmost gratitude to the courageous firefighters of our state for their diligent service and perseverance in the face of wildfires and the coronavirus pandemic; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transferred by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives to the Washington State Fire Fighters' Association, the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, the Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs, the Spokane Firefighters Union 29, the Cheney Firefighters Union 1919, the Medical Lake Volunteer Firefighters Association, the Airway Heights Volunteer Firefighters Association, and the Washington State Board for Volunteer Fire Fighters and Reserve Officers.