Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Local Government Committee |
HB 1863
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 the national fire incident reporting system.
Sponsors: Representatives Gregerson, Stokesbary, Appleton and Stambaugh.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 2/7/17
Staff: Desiree Omli (786-7383)
Background:
National Fire Incident Reporting System.
The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) is a standard reporting system developed by the United State Fire Administration that fire departments use to report on their activities. The NFIRS serves as a database to collect uniform fire incident information. After a fire department responds to an incident, they submit information through the NFIRS database pertaining to the nature of the call, the actions firefighters took in response to the call, and the outcome, including firefighter and civilian casualties and property loss estimates. The fire department then forwards this information to the state agency responsible for collecting the NFIRS data, which then reports the data to the United States Fire Administration. The Chief of the Washington State patrol (WSP), through the Director of Fire Protection (Director), operated the NFIRS until the program was eliminated due to budget constraints.
Fire Reporting.
The chief of each fire department, or the sheriff or other designated county official having jurisdiction over areas not within the jurisdiction of any fire department, is required to report statistical information and data on each fire occurring within their jurisdiction to the Chief of the WSP, through the Director. Fire departments must report any deaths resulting from a fire within two business days. The reports must be consistent with the NFIRS and the rules established by the WSP, through the Director. The Director must analyze the information and data reported, compile a report, and distribute the report annually to each chief fire official by July 1.
Summary of Bill:
Subject to the availability of funds appropriated for this purpose, the WSP, through the Director, must administer the NFIRS, or the state equivalent as selected by the Director. The Director's administration of the NFIRS may include:
purchasing equipment to operate the program, including software;
establishing procedures, standards, and guidelines pertaining to the statistical information and data reported by fire departments through the NFIRS;
providing training and education to fire departments pertaining to the NFIRS; and
employing staff, as needed, to administer the NFIRS.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.