A History of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters
Ellie Belew
The story of the professional firefighters of Washington State and their role in the labor-union movement combines personal accounts, legislative and regional histories, and plentiful illustrations, bringing alive the triumphs and failures of a group that became one of the most powerful political entities in the state. For sixty-five years, the WSCFF and its member locals carried out a mission of education and legislation. Their struggle has won improvements in working conditions, pensions and health benefits, and collective bargaining rights. WSCFF members also became working heroes in communities that had, decades earlier, considered them unskilled slackers.
“Firefighters have their own history of fighting for tolerable hours and the right to bargain collectively. Fully Involved documents that history… highlighting the larger-than-life personalities that built the WSCFF, along with delicious details about their rivalries and strategic use of whiskey. It's not only fun to read, it's a gift to all firefighters and to working people everywhere. Read it, and remember!”
— Barbara Enrenreich, author of Nickel and Dimed
Available from Baker & Taylor
Published by Washington State Council of Fire Fighters, 1069 Adams St. SE, Olympia, WA 98501
ISBN 0-9752720-3-9 · Hardcover · 288 Pages · 9 X 12
FULLY INVOLVED:
A History of the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters
by Ellie Belew
The story of the professional firefighters of Washington State, and of their role in the labor-union movement, combines personal accounts, legislative and regional histories, and plentiful illustrations, bringing alive the triumphs and failures of a group that became one of the most powerful political entities in the state. For sixty-five years, the WSCFF and its member locals have carried out a mission of education and legislation. Their struggle has earned improvements in working conditions, pensions and health benefits, and collective bargaining rights. WSCFF members also became working heroes in communities that had, decades earlier, considered them unskilled slackers.
"Firefighters have their own history of fighting for tolerable hours and the right to bargain collectively. Fully Involved documents that history… highlighting the larger-than-life personalities that built the WSCFF, along with delicious details about their rivalries and strategic use of whiskey. It’s not only fun to read, it’s a gift to all firefighters and to working people everywhere. Read it, and remember!" — Barbara Ehrenreich, author of Nickel and Dimed
Published by Washington State Council of Fire Fighters
ISBN 0-9752720-4-7· Paperback · 9 × 12 · 288 pages · $19.95
