Title: An act relating to consolidation of state declared fire mobilization responsibilities within the Washington state patrol.

Brief Description: Consolidating fire service mobilization responsibilities within the Washington state patrol.

Sponsors: Senators Brandland, Oke, Swecker, Hale, Rasmussen, Schmidt and Winsley; by request of Washington State Patrol.

Brief Summary of Bill

• Responsibility for the state Fire Services Mobilization Plan is moved to the Washington State Patrol.

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Haigh, Chair; Miloscia, Vice Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Shabro, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hunt, McDermott, Nixon, Tom and Wallace.

Included in the state's comprehensive program of emergency management is the Fire Services Mobilization Plan (Mobilization Plan). The purpose of this Mobilization Plan is to provide policy and organizational structure for large scale mobilization of fire fighting resources in the state. The Mobilization Plan includes mutual aid agreements and state reimbursement for outside jurisdictions, as well as a host jurisdiction if its resources are exhausted.

The Adjutant General of the Military Department has overall responsibility for emergency management, including the Mobilization Plan. However, the director of fire protection in the Washington State Patrol (WSP) serves as the state fire marshal when the plan is mobilized.

The State Fire Protection Policy Board makes recommendations for refinement and maintenance of the Mobilization Plan, including procedures for coordinating local, regional, and state fire jurisdiction resources. Seven regions are designated in the state, with a regional fire defense board in each region consisting of two members from each member county. The boards develop regional service plans for mutual aid responses that are consistent with the incident command system and state Mobilization Plan.

Responsibility for the Mobilization Plan is moved to the Chief of the WSP. The WSP, in consultation with the Office of Financial Management and the Military Department, will develop procedures for timely reimbursement to state agencies and other jurisdictions when the plan is mobilized.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: This bill represents a joint request from the WSP and the Military Department. The Adjutant General has the responsibility for calling the Mobilization Plan into action and the WSP is responsible for implementation. In order to streamline the process, it is proposed that the WSP be responsible for putting the plan into action. The Military Department supports the bill and will work closely with the Washington State Patrol to make the system more efficient. The WSP currently certifies the bills and the Military Department makes the payments. This will be more efficient but without losing any oversight responsibility. The Military Department will maintain its role in emergency management overall.

Testified: Diane Perry, Washington State Patrol; and Frank Scoggins, Washington Military Department.