CLARIFICATION: How to Apply for Disaster Relief Following the Washington State Wildfires

CLARIFICATION: Following some confusion about how to apply for assistance through SMART-TD’s Disaster Relief Fund, we’d like to offer some guidance and clarification for our members who have been affected by the Washington State wildfires and any future natural disasters.

The bottom line: we are committed to helping our members who have suffered damage to your homes, been displaced by evacuations, had their living situations affected as quickly as possible. 

To apply for Disaster Relief, please follow these steps:

• E-Mail SMART-TD’s Disaster Relief Fund (TD-DRF@smart-union.org)
  • Please direct all requests, applications, questions, etc. to this address
  • This e-mail inbox is monitored, so you will receive a response in a timely manner
• Members can also reach out to the SMART-TD headquarters at (216) 227-5327 if additional help is needed navigating the process
• If you need more information, you can also visit the Disaster Relief section of the SMART-TD website

ORIGINAL ARTICLE PUBLISHED ON AUGUST 4, 2026

For the second time in just over a month, wildfires have ravaged yet another state.

In early July, Colorado faced multiple fast-moving fires that forced evacuations, destroyed homes and properties, and left countless families facing uncertainty.

Some of those impacted included our SMART-TD locals and families, including BNSF members from Local 945 (La Junta, Colo.), Union Pacific members as well as our brothers and sisters from the Colorado & Wyoming Railroad out of Local 204 (Pueblo, Colo.).

Now, some of our members in Washington State are facing a similar disaster in their own backyards.

“Unfortunately, we’ve been through things like this before in Washington,” said Washington State Safety & Legislative Director Steve Mazulo. “As long as everyone stays safe we’ll bounce back.”

As of noon, Pacific Time on August 4, 2026, Local Committee of Adjustment (LCA) 0001 Local Chairperson Mike Galusha said he’s not aware of any SMART-TD members who have lost their homes; most have just been displaced or evacuated. Those impacted include members from Locals 426 and 855 (Spokane, Wash.).

However, that could change once folks have access to their neighborhoods.

“Our community has really reached out, and everybody has come together and opened up their homes and helped each other out,” said Brother Galusha. “The amount of destruction [the fire] has caused is unbelievable. I would just ask that everyone please continue to keep us in their thoughts and prayers.”

Assistance is available through the SMART-TD Disaster Relief Fund

The SMART-TD Disaster Relief Fund exists for moments exactly like this.

If you have suffered damage to your home, have been displaced by evacuations, or your living situation has been affected by the Washington State wildfires, we encourage you to reach out immediately. Our union is committed to helping members and their families through difficult times, and assistance is available for eligible members through the Disaster Relief Fund.

“It’s important, though, that while our brothers and sisters are getting through this moment, they remember our union, and the disaster relief fund is there for them,” explained SLD Mazulo. “This is exactly why we have this fund, to get each other’s backs in moments like this one.”

If you have questions about the Disaster Relief Fund or need help connecting with the appropriate representative, please contact the SMART-TD office at (216) 228-9400.

Help us support our Washington State brothers and sisters

We are asking members to consider making a donation to the SMART-TD Disaster Relief Fund. Every contribution, large or small, helps ensure that we can provide meaningful financial assistance to members and their families as they recover from this disaster.

To help us get assistance directly to members as quickly as possible, please do not designate your donation for the Washington wildfires or any specific disaster. Simply make your contribution payable to the SMART-TD Disaster Relief Fund. Undesignated donations give the union the flexibility to respond immediately, without unnecessary administrative or governmental restrictions that can delay assistance getting to our members. Rest assured that we understand the intent behind these donations and will ensure they are used to help TD members affected by this disaster while preserving our ability to respond quickly whenever and wherever members need us most.

Donations to the SMART-TD Disaster Relief Fund can be mailed to:

SMART-TD Disaster Relief Fund
6060 Rockside Woods Blvd., N, Suite 325
Independence, OH 44131

Please call (216) 227-5237 with any questions regarding the Disaster Relief Fund.

To every member in Washington affected by these fires: your SMART-TD family is thinking of you, standing beside you, and ready to help however we can.