_______________________________________________
HOUSE
BILL 1908
_______________________________________________
Passed
Legislature - 1997 Regular Session
State
of Washington 55th Legislature 1997 Regular Session
By
Read
first time 02/13/97. Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.
Establishing a fire fighting technical review committee.
AN
ACT Relating to the enforcement of workplace safety standards by the department
of labor and industries; adding a new section to chapter 49.17 RCW; and
providing an expiration date.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. A
new section is added to chapter 49.17 RCW to read as follows:
(1)
The director shall establish a fire fighting technical review committee to be
composed of eight members appointed by the director. Four members must be
representatives of fire fighters, two of whom must be members of the law
enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system, and be selected
from a list of not less than six names submitted to the director by
organizations, state-wide in scope, which through their affiliates embrace a
cross-section and a majority of fire fighters in the state. Two members must
be representatives of fire chiefs, and be selected from a list of at least five
names submitted to the director by a recognized state-wide organization representing
a majority of fire chiefs. Two members must be representatives of fire
commissioners, and be selected from a list of at least five names submitted to
the director by a recognized state-wide organization representing a majority of
fire commissioners.
(2)
The director, or his or her designee, shall be an ex officio member of the
committee. All appointments are for a term of three years, except the director
may appoint the initial members to staggered terms of from one to three years.
Members of the committee hold office until their successors are appointed. The
director may remove any member for cause. In case of a vacancy, the director is
authorized to appoint a person to serve for the remainder of the unexpired
term. The director shall make all appointments in conformity with the plan in
this subsection.
(3)
The director or designee shall be the chair of the committee. The committee
may meet at a time and place designated by the director, or a majority of the
members, and shall hold meetings during the year to advise the director. Each
member of the committee shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as authorized
in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
(4)(a)
The purpose of the committee is to provide technical assistance to the
department if an inspection or investigation under this chapter of an emergency
response situation reveals a possible violation of RCW 49.17.060, or a safety
or health standard adopted under this chapter. The committee may also provide
technical assistance to the department if an inspection or investigation of an
emergency response situation reveals possible noncompliance with industry
consensus standards for fire fighting. If the department issues a citation
under this chapter based on events in an emergency situation, the department
shall consult with the committee before issuing a citation that includes a
penalty authorized by RCW 49.17.140.
(b)
The committee's recommendation is advisory only and does not limit the
department's authority to assess a penalty. This section does not create a
right or cause of action or add to any existing right or cause of action.
(5)
For the purpose of this section, "emergency response situation"
includes, but is not limited to, situations in which employees of a fire
department or fire district are involved in a fire combat scene, a hazardous
materials response situation, a rescue, or a response involving emergency
medical services.
(6)
This section expires July 1, 2001.
Passed the House March 13, 1997.
Passed the Senate April 11, 1997.
Approved by the Governor
April 25, 1997.
Filed
in Office of Secretary of State April 25, 1997.
