BILL ANALYSIS

HB 1556

TITLE OF THE BILL:  Relating to reporting of deaths or injuries from fire.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES: Adds requirement for local fire department chiefs to report fire deaths to the Washington State Patrol.

SPONSORS:  Representatives Hatfield and Bush

HEARING DATE:  Thursday, February 11, 1999

FISCAL NOTE:  Not requested.

ANALYSIS PREPARED BY:  Scott MacColl (786-7106)

BACKGROUND:

The Director of Fire Protection, within the Washington State Patrol, is charged with fire protection throughout the state.   Statistical information and data regarding each fire that occurs within the state must be sent to the state fire protection office.  The Chief of the Washington State Patrol, through the Director of Fire Protection, collects, analyzes, and reports statistical fire data, which is compiled into a report published by May 1 of each year and distributed to each chief fire official in the state.

SUMMARY:

All fire related deaths must be reported within forty-eight hours to the Director of Fire Protection for the purposes of compiling the statistical report.  The deadline for releasing the report is extended to July 1 of each year.