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: Representatives Lantz, Haigh and Simpson.

Brief History: Passed House: 3/09/05, 96-0.

Committee Activity: Government Operations & Elections: 3/22/05 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by Senators Kastama, Chair; Berkey, Vice Chair; Haugen, Kline, McCaslin, Mulliken and Pridemore.

Staff: Genevieve Pisarski (786-7488)

Background: The State Fire Protection Policy Board (Board) is responsible for comprehensive state policy on fire protection service, including master plans for training and education and construction of training facilities. The Board also monitors fire protection service and develops recommendations to improve it.

The Board was created in 1985 and is now administered by the Office of the State Fire Marshall within the Washington State Patrol. The Board has eight members with one representative from each of the following: fire chiefs, the insurance industry, cities and towns, counties, full-time career fire fighters, volunteer fire fighters, fire commissioners, and Department of Natural Resources fire control programs. Local fire marshals are not represented on the Board.

Summary of Bill: A ninth member, representing the Washington State Association of Fire Marshals, is added to the State Fire Protection Policy Board.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Local fire marshals are professionals in the fields of fire prevention and risk reduction. Their expertise includes codes and code enforcement. They work with the other groups represented on the Board, who support adding a representative of fire marshals.

Testimony Against: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Wayne A. Wienholz, Washington State Association of Fire Marshals.