Dent Promoting Legislation Creating Local Fire Protection Associations

In an efforts to prepare for the next wildfire season with firefighters and equipment are stretched thin across Washington, state Representative Tom Dent has proposed legislation creating Rangeland Fire Protection Associations.  Dent said under House Bill 2562, local landowners would have the opportunity to protect their own, and their neighbor’s property, where no fire protection services are available.  Dent said RFPAs are voluntary and governed by members of the community.  He told the Washington Ag Network this legislation would also create a host guidelines.

“Personal protective equipment communications equipment, minimum age things such as that, so everyone is on track, but it puts them on a level with the agencies that are fighting the fires, so when they show up, they are able to help they would be the first responders, and those agencies would build that relationship with them.”

Dent noted that these associations have been used in Idaho and Oregon with success, and this would help alleviate problems that arose last year over jurisdiction, and who could and could not fight wildfires.

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