Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Public Safety Committee |
HB 1019
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Concerning state fire services mobilization.
Sponsors: Representatives Dent, Goodman, Griffey, Blake, Dye, Short, Haler, Tharinger, Shea and Chandler.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/19/17
Staff: Omeara Harrington (786-7136).
Background:
The Chief of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) has the authority to mobilize jurisdictions under the Washington State Fire Services Mobilization Plan. A mobilization is warranted when a local disaster necessitates resources beyond those available through existing agreements. During a large-scale emergency, mobilization includes the redistribution of regional or statewide firefighting resources to either direct emergency incident assignments or to assignments in communities where firefighting resources are needed.
From the time a state mobilization is declared, all fire protection authorities providing resources in response to the mobilization declaration are eligible for expense reimbursement. State and local agencies that participate in a mobilization generally receive reimbursement through the state's Disaster Response Account.
In 2015 the Legislature expanded "mobilization" beyond general firefighting to include all risk resources regularly provided by fire departments, districts, and regional fire protection authorities. "All risk resources" include those resources regularly provided by fire departments, fire districts, and regional fire protection authorities in response to natural or man-made incidents, including but not limited to wild land fires, landslides, earthquakes, floods, and contagious diseases. The expanded scope of state fire services mobilization expires in 2019.
Summary of Bill:
The definition of "mobilization" of state fire resources is expanded. In addition to mobilization in response to a disaster that has exceeded local resources, mobilization may be in preparation for a disaster that is predicted to exceed local resources.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: This bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed, except for section 2 which, because of a prior delayed effective date, takes effect July 1, 2019.