Walt Dix is the IAFF 12th District Vice President and 38 year veteran of the fire service. We discuss joining the fire service in the 1970s, the evolution of fire attack, the firefighter work week, the truth behind the FLSA, mental health, fitness standards, forging journeymen and so much more.

Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Walter, a native of South Florida, dedicated his career to the Fire Rescue Service. He served for over 37 years as a Firefighter/EMT with Broward County Fire Rescue, achieving the rank of Fire Captain in 1986.

Under his leadership in the early 1990s, Broward County consolidated its Fire and EMS services into a single department. Captain Dix has held various positions within the department, including Captain Special Operations Technical Rescue, Captain Hazardous Materials team, and head of the Fire Training Division.

As a charter member of the Local Union in 1979, he served in several Union Officer positions until his election as President of the Broward County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Association IAFF Local 4321 from 1990 to 2017. In 2017, he was honored as President Emeritus of IAFF Local 4321.

In 2004, the Broward County Council of Professional Firefighters honored him with the prestigious title of Firefighter of the Year. Subsequently, in 2009, he was recognized as the Florida Professional Firefighter of the Year by the Governor, State Fire Marshal/CFO, and Florida Cabinet. In 2010, he received the IAFF Local Leadership award at the IAFF 50th Convention held in San Diego.

President Dix concurrently served as a Trustee and Vice President of the Florida Professional Firefighters for a total of 13 years. The State Association honored him with Vice President Emeritus status for his distinguished service.

From 2001 to 2017, President Dix served as the International Association of Firefighters 12th District Field Service Representative. In 2008, he was appointed to the IAFF/IAFC Labor Management Initiative as an LMI Facilitator, collaborating with numerous fire departments to provide Labor Management training.

DVP Dix holds various affiliations, including the Broward County Regional Emergency Medical Services Council, the IAFF Elected Human Relations Committee, and the International Association of Fire Fighters Occupational Health and Safety committee.

In 1998, the BCPPFF Benefit Fund was established to provide healthcare, supplemental benefits, and retiree subsidies. DVP Dix has served continuously as the Chairman/Trustee of the BCPPFF Benefit since its inception. Additionally, he serves as a Trustee for the International Association of Firefighters Staff and Employees’ Pension Plans.

In 2017, DVP Dix was elected to the International Association of Firefighters 12th District Vice President position, a role he continues to serve today. As the IAFF 12th District Vice President, he is responsible for overseeing the membership of over 44,000 Firefighters in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean Islands.