The Capitol Campus in Olympia is home to many memorials for various events and groups of people. These include the World War II Memorial, the Law Enforcement Memorial, the Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Memorial, the Medal of Honor Memorial, the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial. The Legislature also authorized the creation of a Global War on Terrorism Memorial in 2022.

The U.S. Fire Administration tracks on-duty firefighter fatalities that occur in the United States. The data shows that since 1990, 46 firefighters have lost their life in the line of duty in the State of Washington. This includes firefighters who served the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Reserve, city fire departments, county fire departments, volunteer fire departments, and tribal fire departments.

A fallen firefighter memorial is established on the capitol campus grounds in Olympia to recognize the sacrifice of firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The design and construction must follow the major works requirements administered by the Department of Enterprise Services (DES). The state capitol committee must work with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as well as statewide organizations representing firefighters to review the building of the memorial.

The fallen firefighter memorial account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. DNR may adopt rules governing the receipt and use of funds in the account. Expenditures from the account may only be used for the design, siting, permitting, construction, maintenance, dedication, continuation, or creation of educational materials related to the placement of the memorial on the capitol campus.

Only DNR, with recommendations from the Washington State firefighter memorial foundation, may authorize expenditures from the account. All receipts directed to the account from federal funds, gifts, or grants, foundations, or other sources must be deposited into the account. The commissioner of public lands and DNR may solicit and accept moneys from gifts, grants, or endowments for this purpose. DNR is authorized to partner with nonprofit groups or foundations, or another state agency if necessary, to ensure the memorial is utilized by the public and the firefighter community to recognize, remember, and honor the sacrifice of firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

• Specifies procedures for DNR and DES to design, establish, and maintain the memorial consistent with the major works requirements for projects on the capitol campus.
• Mandates that DES is responsible for providing and funding routine maintenance of the memorial once it is completed. Establishes that DNR or any foundation or nonprofit it contracts with is responsible for any non-routine maintenance of the memorial. 

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: Having a memorial here is important to the entire firefighting community. It has been often discussed and long desired. Each day, thousands of career and volunteer firefighters across the state serve their communities when emergencies occur. These brave individuals risk their lives to help those in need. It's important to have a place here to pay our respects and honor those in the Washington State fire service. Firefighting is not just a job but a calling and a path for those who dedicate their life to service. Everyone in the fire service knows a firefighter who paid the ultimate price. Through their memories we have learned and gotten better at what we do. We all are willing to answer any call at any time and the stress that comes along is something we all deal with. Trauma seen on calls can cause serious mental health issues. The top three causes of line of duty deaths are not fire. They are cancer, heart disease, and suicide. When a line of duty death happens, they are replaced within hours and there is no time to grieve or process the loss. This will allow firefighters to remember our brothers and sisters for more than just a moment. This memorial ensures that those who have made the ultimate sacrifice are remembered. Although a definitive source of funds has not been established, there are ongoing discussions being held to identify possible funding sources that would mitigate the need for appropriation. 

PRO: Senator Kevin Van De Wege, Prime Sponsor; Jeff Faucett, Washington Fire Chiefs; Steve Brooks, Washington Fire Chiefs; Bud Sizemore, WSCFF; Patrick McElligott, IAFF Local 31- Tacoma Firefighters; Brian Considine, Department of Natural Resources; George Geissler, Department of Natural Resources.