43.44.130 - Hazardous liquid and gas pipeline accidents -- Preparedness of local first responders. - Washington Statutes

Hazardous liquid and gas pipeline accidents — Preparedness of local first responders.

(1) The chief of the Washington state patrol, through the director of fire protection or his or her authorized deputy, shall, in consultation with the emergency management program within the state military department, the department of ecology, the utilities and transportation commission, and local emergency services organizations:

     (a) Evaluate the preparedness of local first responders in meeting emergency management demands under subsection (2) of this section; and

     (b) Conduct an assessment of the equipment and personnel needed by local first responders to meet emergency management demands related to pipelines.

     (2) The chief of the Washington state patrol, through the director of fire protection or his or her deputy, shall develop curricula for training local first responders to deal with hazardous liquid and gas pipeline accidents. The curricula shall be developed in conjunction with pipeline companies and local first responders, and shall include a timetable and costs for providing training as defined in the curricula to all communities housing pipelines. Separate curricula shall be developed for hazardous liquid and gas pipelines so that the differences between pipelines may be recognized and appropriate accident responses provided. The need for a training program for regional incident management teams shall also be evaluated.

     (3) In consultation with other relevant agencies, the chief of the Washington state patrol, through the director of fire protection or his or her deputy, shall identify the need and means for achieving consistent application of the national interagency incident management system.

     (4) For the purposes of this section, "local first responders" means police, fire, emergency medical staff, and volunteers.

[2000 c 191 § 20. Formerly RCW 48.48.160.]

Notes: Intent -- Findings -- Conflict with federal requirements -- Short title -- Effective date -- 2000 c 191: See RCW 81.88.005 and 81.88.900 through 81.88.902.