SVFD Fire Protection Engineer (FPE) Traci Harvey has been named as the Member of the Year for the Washington State Association of Fire Marshals (WSAFM).

FPE Harvey has worked in the construction industry as a Fire Protection Engineer for 18 years and is licensed in Washington and Idaho. She came to the SVFD after working as a consultant in the private sector for ten years.  She joined the Spokane Valley Fire Department in July of 2007 as their first Fire Protection Engineer. Since that time, she has proven herself as an invaluable resource by reviewing countless plans and providing information to contractors and citizens as well as other SVFD employees.  Her wealth of knowledge regarding plan review enables her to ensure that new construction meets all current guidelines. New commercial properties in Spokane Valley Fire Department’s jurisdiction are designed to be as safe as possible from the very beginning.

As the first holder of the position with SVFD, FPE Harvey was instrumental in forming the basis of the Engineering Department within the Prevention Bureau.  She is responsible for reviewing construction plans and associated life safety systems to ensure compliance with the International Fire Code within SVFD district boundaries.  She was the chair of the Inland Empire Fire and Life Safety Council from 2010 to 2015.  She started working with the State Codes during the 2012 code cycle presenting several WAC proposals including removing Lockdown procedures from the IFC; adding annual maintenance requirements for medical gas systems and updating portable classroom requirements for sprinklers and fire alarm systems.  FPE Harvey became a member of the Fire Code Technical Advisory Group during the 2015 code cycle and has most recently participated in the national hearing process for the 2018 IFC edition in 2016. In 2018, Harvey authored a Toxics Proposal being sponsored by the Spokane Valley Fire Department and Washington State Association of Fire Marshals as part of the code changes for the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code.  As the author, FPE Harvey was able to attend the final action hearings held in Richmond, Virginia.  The adoption of this proposal would increase the amount of toxics for certain types of facilities which would have a positive impact on small business.  Harvey was also able to work with the Fire Code TAG recommending this proposal for inclusion into the Washington Amended Code at the public hearings in Spokane Valley and Olympia in 2018. FPE Harvey has been instrumental providing local businesses the background on the codes being enforced so that they have a better understanding of the requirements or advising them to move ahead (or wait) based on future codes; whichever path would provide the most benefit.  FPE Traci Harvey’s work and ability to provide additional information and education to our citizens is a valuable service within our district and our state.

FPE Harvey’s background in the fire industry has been an asset to her jurisdiction and the state in general.  During her time at Spokane Valley Fire Department, she has proven herself effective in managing, team leading, budget managing, and leading in fire prevention activities.  Her professionalism and leadership in the fire industry have been recognized at many levels of government and by the private sector.  Her collaborative approach has helped build a stronger relationship between firefighters and developers. She has a reputation for high-level work output, for completing assignments on time, and for readily accepting leadership or other roles as needed to get the job done.  The broad basis of knowledge and experience that FPE Harvey brings is a benefit to all areas of the fire service.  Her thorough technical and historical knowledge of the fire service, combined with excellent listening and “people” skills is a valuable asset.

Spokane Valley Fire Department is honored by this award given to Fire Protection Engineer Traci Harvey.