WSFFA’s Legislative Historical Review: 2020-1935

The Washington State Fire Fighters' Association was established in 1923. The mission in part is to represent the volunteer firefighter. It was the case then as it is now, to be vigilant in representing and improving the health & welfare of the volunteer. While diligent over of the years, the WSFFA’s efforts began showing real worth in the legislative arena during the 1991 legislative session, when the WSFFA President, Joe Basta appointed then Board member T.J. Nedrow as the Association’s Legislative Chairman.

In 2000, the WSFFA increased its investment in the volunteer as the Association began contracting the services of Ms. Tamara Warnke, a Government Affairs Consultant. Thus began a significant endeavor that has resulted in further representation, benefits and opportunities for the volunteer

True to the tagline; “Serving the Volunteer Fire Service Since 1923” your WSFFA representatives have continued to make a difference during the Washington legislative sessions and beyond.

With literally hundreds of pieces of legislation introduced each year that garner the attention of the legislative committee, we must rely on the WSFFA’s overarching priorities. The efforts of the WSFFA Legislative Committee in general shall relate to:

SAFETY
FIREFIGHTER TRAINING
COMPENSATION – BENEFITS
VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
FIRE SERVICE FUNDING
COLLABORATION

To better keep you, our volunteers informed, we have provided a high-level recap of State legislation that the WSFFA have advocated, monitored and or testified to.

The * asterisk denotes legislation that has a direct benefit to the volunteer.

2020-2019

*ESSB 5829 Concerning pension benefits and contributions in the volunteer firefighters' and reserve officers' relief and pension system https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5829&Year=2019&Initiative=false

2018-2017

HB 1170 Modifying the expiration date of certain fire mobilization laws

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1170&Year=2019&Initiative=false

HB 1489 Concerning private wildland fire suppression contractors

http://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?Year=2017&BillNumber=1489

2016-2015

*HB 1382 Addressing the delivery of basic fire fighting training and testing

http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1382&year=2015

HB 2007 Concerning reimbursement to eligible providers for Medicaid ground emergency medical transportation services

http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=2007&year=2015

2014-2013

*HB 1180 Addressing death benefits for volunteer fire fighters and reserve officers

http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1180&year=2013

2012-2011

*HB 1136 Creating volunteer firefighter special license plates

http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1136&year=2011

HB 1406 Establishing the intrastate building safety mutual aid system

http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1406&year=2011

HB 1585 Establishing the intrastate mutual aid system

http://app.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1585&year=2011

*HB 1723 Addressing volunteer firefighting. Expands the definition of (volunteer) fire fighter

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1723&year=2011

*SB 5365 Authorizing the purchase of retirement pension coverage by certain volunteer fire fighters

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5365&year=2011

2010-2009

HB 2464 Implementing rules and penalties for drivers when approaching certain emergency, roadside assistance, or police vehicles in emergency zones

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=2464

*HB 2519 Addressing duty-related death benefits for public safety employees

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=2519

HB 2617 Eliminating certain boards and commissions

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=2617

HB 2667 Concerning communications during a forest fire response

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=2667

*HB 2823 Permitting retired participants to resume volunteer firefighter, emergency worker, or reserve officer service

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=2823

SB 6418 Regarding cities and towns annexed to fire protection districts

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=6418

SB 6546 Allowing the state director of fire protection to refuse membership in the public employees' retirement system

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2009&bill=6546

2008-2007

*HB 1024 Phasing out the use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2007&bill=1024

*HB 1475 Adding members to the state board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2007&bill=1475

*HB 2147 Providing vocational rehabilitation services for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2007&bill=2147

*SB 5511 Requiring state agencies to allow volunteer firefighters to respond when called to duty

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2007&bill=5511

2006-2005

*HB 2366 Making certain communications between fire fighters and peer support group counselors privileged

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2005&bill=2366

*HB 2606 Allowing volunteer fire fighter personnel to hold elective or appointed office

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2005&bill=2606

*SB 5135 Addressing volunteer fire fighters' and reserve officers' relief and pensions

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2005&bill=5135

2004-2003

*HB 1110 Increasing the monthly pensions for volunteer fire fighters and reserve officers

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2003&bill=1110

*SB 5176 Providing wildland fire fighting training

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2003&bill=5176

2002-2001

*HB 1004 Adjusting disability payments

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2001&bill=1004

HB 1371 Allowing participation in health care authority insurance plans and contracts by surviving spouses and dependent children of emergency service personnel killed in the line of duty

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2001&bill=1371

*HB 1420 Prohibiting discrimination against volunteer fire fighters

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2001&bill=1420

*HB 2493 Removing the limitation on the number of volunteer fire fighters

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=2001&bill=2493

2000-1999

*HB 1219 Changing relief and retirement pension provisions under chapter 41.24 RCW

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1999&bill=1219

HB 1556 Increasing timeliness of fire death reports

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1999&bill=1556

HB 2993 Setting fires for fire fighter instruction

http://app.leg.wa.gov/dlr/billsummary/default.aspx?year=1999&bill=2993