SB 6462 -
By Senators Honeyford, Fairley
ADOPTED 02/15/2010
Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:
"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 A new section is added to chapter 52.12 RCW
to read as follows:
(1) Any firefighter that is present at the scene of a wildfire,
regardless of whether it is beyond the boundaries of his or her
district, has a duty to undertake firefighting efforts to suppress the
fire if the fire poses a danger to human life or structures. However,
the firefighter is under no duty to undertake firefighting efforts if
he or she does not have the equipment or manpower at the scene to fight
the fire in a safe and reasonable manner.
(2)(a) The priorities and methods under this section are determined
by the chain of command of the pertinent agency.
(b) If an official chain of command has not been established, the
firefighting priorities and methods shall be determined by the most
senior firefighter on the engine.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 A new section is added to chapter 4.24 RCW
to read as follows:
Any state or municipal firefighter, whether volunteer or paid, who
takes part in firefighting efforts outside his or her jurisdiction or
provides emergency care, rescue, assistance, or recovery services at
the scene of an emergency is not liable for civil damages resulting
from any act or omission in the rendering of such services, other than
acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton
misconduct."
SB 6462 -
By Senators Honeyford, Fairley
ADOPTED 02/15/2010
On page 1, line 1 of the title, after "duties;" strike the remainder of the title and insert "adding a new section to chapter 52.12 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 4.24 RCW."
EFFECT: Combines Senator Honeyford's two firefighter bills: SB 6461 (providing limited immunity for firefighters providing emergency services) and SB 6462 (addressing the duties of a firefighter at the scene of a wildfire beyond the boundaries of the firefighter's district). Requires a firefighter to obey the chain of command when responding to wildfires. Provides that if no such chain of command exists, the most senior member of the firefighting engine will be in charge of determining how to respond to the fire. Amends title to reflect the added provisions.