August 8, 2023

Fire Service Partners and Stakeholders:

             As we prepare for the upcoming legislative session, the State Fire Marshal’s Office is proposing two legislative changes for the improvement of programs and services that directly benefit the Washington State Fire Service.  We are asking you for letters in support of each of these proposals.  It would be very helpful if you could forward letters addressing the following elements, or use the enclosed draft letters, which may be placed on your fire department letterhead and submitted back to our office by August 18, 2023.  Please email your letter to firemarsh@wsp.wa.gov.

Proposal related to the director of fire protection duties:  Concerning the director of fire protection’s duties aims to eliminate the per capita analysis for the Regional Direct Delivery Program, allowing the Basic Fire Fighter Reimbursement Program and the Regional Direct Delivery Program to operate independently.  This proposal would:

• Add two full time employees to adequately support the Regional Direct Delivery program
• Increase the number of Regional Direct Delivery Program recruit academies that will train fire service personnel to the Firefighter I level
• Maintain the Basic Fire Fighter Training Reimbursement Program, so fire agencies can off-set the cost of training to the Firefighter I level
• Increase the number of volunteer and career personnel trained to the Firefighter I level

Please see the  following  Fact Sheet and draft legislative language, as well as the draft letter for this proposal which provides the purpose, outcomes, impacts, and draft legislative changes being proposed.

Proposal related to the fire insurance premium tax increase:  A 10% increase in the distribution of the state fire insurance premium tax revenue to the Fire Service Training Account, which is currently set at 20%.  This proposal would:

• Increase the deposits into the Fire Service Training Account to 30%
• Increase funding to support capital improvement projects
• Allow for the effective and efficient delivery of the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee program
• Expand training across the state to reach underserved communities and provide training tailored to the needs of the fire agencies through regional direct delivery
• Expand Community Risk Reduction and National Fire Incident Reporting System programs
• Provide dual accreditation through IFSAC and Pro-Board

Please see the  following  Fact Sheet and draft legislative language , as well as the draft letter for this proposal which provides the purpose, outcomes, impacts, and draft legislative changes being proposed.

If you have questions or concerns about the proposals, please feel free to contact:

Assistant State Fire Marshal Melissa Gannie at (360) 596-3903 or by email at melissa.gannie@wsp.wa.gov

Fire Training Division Commander Kelly Merz at (425) 453-3000 or by email at kelly.merz@wsp.wa.gov

Thank you in advance for your support.  We believe that with your support of these proposals, we will enhance fire service training and services to the communities across our state.