MRSC Insight Blog

Posts for Fire Protection

Emergency Rule Protects Outdoor Workers from Wildfire Smoke

August 5, 2021 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Fire Protection , New Legislation and Regulations , Operating Policies

This blog provides an overview of a new rule meant to protect workers from the harms of excessive exposure to wildfire smoke.

Historic Bill Focuses on Wildfire Prevention, Forest Reclamation

June 17, 2021 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Forests and Trees , Emergency Management , Fire Protection , New Legislation and Regulations

This blog looks at 2SHB 1168, which will increase spending on wildland fire prevention and response activities by $125 million over the next two years and up to $328 million by 2027.

Ballot Measure Results from the 2020 General Election

November 12, 2020 by Steve Hawley
Category: Elections , Parks and Recreation Finance , Fire Protection , Law Enforcement , Transportation Finance , Forms of Government-County

This blog post recaps some of the local ballot measure results from the November 2020 general election and discusses why the record-breaking turnout may make ballot measure validation tougher next year.

Fire Season, Meet Coronavirus

July 15, 2020 by Laura Crandall
Category: Fire Protection , COVID-19

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, wildland firefighting will be following updated guidance to combat wildland fires but also reduce the chances of transmitting the virus among firefighting crews.

Ballot Measure Results from the 2019 Primary Election

August 13, 2019 by Steve Hawley
Category: Elections , Fire Protection , Emergency Medical Services , Sales and Use Taxes

Senior Communications Coordinator Steve Hawley reviews some ballot measure results from the recent primary election in this blog post.

Regulating Sky Lanterns

May 6, 2019 by Davis Abbott
Category: Fire Protection , Guest Author

This blog post explores how sky lanterns—or mini air balloons—are regulated in Washington State.

Firefighting in the Wildland Inter-Urban Interface

May 2, 2019 by Leah LaCivita
Category: Emergency Management , Fire Protection

This blog post looks at the most challenging type of firefighting—where wild lands meet human development—and how some Washington local governments are attempting to mitigate risk in these areas.

Washington’s New Fire Suppression (Hydrant) Law—SHB 1512

May 10, 2013 by John W. Carpita, PE
Category: Fire Protection , Water Utilities

Thanks to concerted and cooperative action by a coalition of public and private water purveyors, cities, counties, trade organizations, and fire fighting agencies (FIRE PALS), Washington now has a new fire suppression (hydrant) law. This new law resolves issues resulting from two court cases,...

Water Utilities and Fire Hydrants: Legislative Update

April 30, 2013 by FCS GROUP
Category: Fire Protection , Water Utilities , Guest Author

The State Legislature has passed legislation (SHB 1512; SSB 5605,) that focuses on "solving" the problem created by the Lane v. City of Seattle decision. This act provides specific guidance and options for water utilities on how to legally recover fire protection costs...

Climbers, Kayakers, and Skydivers Wear Helmet Cameras -- Why Not Firefighters?

July 24, 2012 by Jim Doherty
Category: Fire Protection

Helmet camera videos can be great for trianing purposes and for reviewing possible modifications to procedures, but they can also cause problems.