Port Angeles is a city situated on the northern coast of the Olympic Peninsula and located within Clallam County, Washington. The City is separated from the Puget Sound metropolitan area by the Hood Canal and Puget Sound. Bordered by non-dense rural land, Port Angeles has seen its population increase only slightly in recent years. The local economy was detrimentally impacted by closure of a Rayonier mill in the late 1990’s. Since then, the City’s population has been rather stagnant. With a population of 18,470, Port Angeles ranks 45th among all Washington Cities and towns.

The City operates one fire station and utilizes both career fire fighting personnel and volunteer firefighters to provide fire suppression and emergency medical treatment within the City limits.  The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), Local 656 serves as the certified bargaining representative for a unit of uniformed firefighting personnel that include:

                                          - 3 EMT/Firefighters

                                          - 11 Paramedic/Firefighters

                                          - 4 Lieutenants

                                          - 4 Captains.

The City and Union have a long history of collective bargaining. The IAFF has represented the City’s uniformed personnel for over sixty years. The current contract will expire on December 31, 2010.