Title: An act relating to the state fire protection policy board.

Brief Description: Adding a ninth member to the state fire protection policy board.

Sponsors: By Representatives Lantz, Haigh and Simpson.

Brief History:

State Government Operations & Accountability: 3/1/05, 3/2/05 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/9/05, 96-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ACCOUNTABILITY

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Haigh, Chair; Green, Vice Chair; Nixon, Ranking Minority Member; Clements, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hunt, McDermott, Miloscia, Schindler and Sump.

Staff: Hannah Lidman (786-7291) and Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

In 1985, the Legislature created the State Fire Protection Policy Board (Board). The Board assumed the duties of the former Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Fire Services Training Division in the Commission for Vocational Education. In 1995, the Legislature transferred all the powers, duties, and functions of the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development pertaining to fire protection to the Washington State Patrol, including oversight over the Board.

The Board is responsible for developing a comprehensive state policy regarding fire protection services, including the adoption of a master fire training and education plan, and the development of a master plan for constructing fire training facilities. The Board must also monitor fire protection in the state and develop objectives and priorities to improve fire protection.

The eight-member Board, appointed by the Governor, consists of the following:

• one representative of fire chiefs;
• one representative from the insurance industry;
• on representative of cities and towns;
• one representative of counties;
• one full-time, paid, career fire fighter;
• one volunteer fire fighter;
• one representative of fire commissioners; and
• one representative of fire control programs of the Department of Natural Resources.

Appointed members of the Board serve three-year terms and initial board members are appointed for the following terms of office:

• three members are appointed for one year;
• .   three members are appointed for two years; and
• four members are appointed for three years.

In 1995, three Board positions were eliminated and one position was added. State law permitted the Board members holding these positions to serve the remainder of their terms in office before the positions were eliminated.

The Washington State Association of Fire Marshals is a statewide fire prevention organization comprised of seven divisions working on national codes, state codes, legislative issues, professional development, communications, fire marshals forum, and fire investigation.

Summary of Bill:

One member, representing the State Association of Fire Marshals, is added to the State Fire Protection Policy Board.

The provision, under which three board positions were eliminated once vacancies occurred, is eliminated.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: In the legislative changes to the Board in 1995, a significant part of the industry was overlooked. This bill proposes to add a representative from the Fire Marshals association because their experience on the Board is needed. Adding this representative will allow the Board to hear from the Fire Marshals who are an important stakeholder in this field It will bring a more well-rounded perspective to the state policies on fire services.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Lantz, prime sponsor; David Lynam, Washington State Association of Fire Marshals; and Mike Brown, Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.