The state House on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a bill to ensure firefighting resources can be mobilized statewide and deployed in response to disasters such as the Oso mudslide.
The bill, which passed 98-0, makes clear the state law for wildfire mobilization covers responses to non-fire incidents such as landslides, earthquakes, floods and outbreaks of contagious disease.
It also spells out that fire departments, fire districts and regional fire protection authorities that respond can be reimbursed for expenses they incur.
House Bill 1389 now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The mobilization law took effect in 1995 and had been used 180 times without rejection until last March when the Washington State Patrol denied a request during the response to the deadly Oso mudslide because it was a non-fire emergency.
In making their decision, authorities relied on an opinion from the state Attorney General’s Office critical of the law’s use in response to the 1999 World Trade Organization riots in Seattle.
Clarifying the law is a top recommendation of the commission appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee and Snohomish County Executive John Lovick.
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