Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Housing, Community Development & Veterans Committee |
HB 2228
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: Permitting early deployment of state fire service resources.
Sponsors: Representatives Springer, Dent, Ramos and Griffey.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/15/20
Staff: Serena Dolly (786-7150).
Background:
During an emergency, a local jurisdiction may request a state mobilization when it needs assistance beyond the capabilities of local resources and mutual aid agreements.
"Mobilization" means that risk resources beyond those available through existing agreements will be requested and, when available, sent in in response to an emergency or disaster situation that has exceeded the capabilities of available local resources. During a large scale emergency, mobilization includes the redistribution of regional or statewide risk resources to either direct emergency incident assignments or to assignment in communities where resources are needed.
"Risk resources" means those resources regularly provided by fire departments, fire districts, and regional fire protection authorities required to respond to incidents, including, but not limited to wild land fires, landslides, earthquakes, floods, and contagious diseases.
The Chief of the Washington State Patrol (WSP) has the authority to mobilize jurisdictions under the Washington State Fire Services Mobilization Plan. The purpose of the mobilization plan is to provide a mechanism and process to quickly notify, assemble, and deploy fire service personnel and equipment to any local fire jurisdiction in Washington that has expended or will expend all available local and mutual aid resources in attempting to manage fires, disasters, or other events that jeopardize the ability of a jurisdiction to provide for the protection of life and property. The State Fire Marshal in the WSP serves as the state fire resources coordinator when the state mobilization plan is mobilized.
Summary of Bill:
All risk resources may be requested and sent in preparation of an emergency or when an emergency is predicted to exceed local capabilities.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.