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MRSC Insight Blog


Posts for Fire Protection

Wildfire under an electrical transmission line in a forested area

State-Based Efforts, Legislation Boost Local Risk Reduction, Resiliency to Wildfires

With wildfire season underway, local governments should be aware of bills passed during the 2023 Regular Legislative Session addressing wildfire events and proposed permanent rules to protect outdoor workers from wildfire smoke.

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A voter putting their ballot into a mailbox

Recapping the February and April 2023 Ballot Measure Results

Regional fire authorities, fire district mergers, hospital funding, and a regional crisis care center network were some of the local ballot measures that appeared before voters in the February and April special elections.

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Fire Season Brings Renewal of Certain Worker Protections, More Action, and Funding

Fire Season Brings Renewal of Certain Worker Protections, More Action, and Funding

Temporary rules are in place to protect outdoor workers from excessive heat or hazardous air quality. Meanwhile, some local governments are adopting provisions of the International Wildland Urban Interface Code, and state and federal governments are boosting firefighting efforts.

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Emergency Rule Protects Outdoor Workers from Wildfire Smoke

Emergency Rule Protects Outdoor Workers from Wildfire Smoke

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

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Historic Bill Focuses on Wildfire Prevention, Forest Reclamation

Historic Bill Focuses on Wildfire Prevention, Forest Reclamation

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.

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Ballot Measure Results from the 2020 General Election

Ballot Measure Results from the 2020 General Election

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.

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Ballot Measure Results from the 2019 Primary Election

Ballot Measure Results from the 2019 Primary Election

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

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Regulating Sky Lanterns

Regulating Sky Lanterns

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

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Firefighting in the Wildland Inter-Urban Interface

Firefighting in the Wildland Inter-Urban Interface

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.

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bigstock-fire-hydrant-14084267.jpg

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

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,...

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Water Utilities and Fire Hydrants: Legislative Update

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...

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

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

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