Rep. Peter Abbarno’s bill to help pay for firefighter safety trainings and assessments clears legislative hurdle
CONTACT: Jennifer Hansen, Senior Public Information Officer | 360-786-7720
Rep. Peter Abbarno’s bill to help pay for firefighter safety trainings and assessments clears legislative hurdle
A measure that would help fire departments pay for fire safety trainings and assessments cleared an important legislative hurdle today.
House Bill 1986, sponsored by Rep. Peter Abbarno, would allow the Washington Department of Labor and Industries to grant funds to employers of firefighters participating in the Firefighter Injury and Illness Reduction Grant (FIRE) program for safety training and assessments.
The bill was voted out of the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee with unanimous support.
“This bill would not only benefit the health and safety of our firefighters, but it could help reduce insurance premiums,” said Abbarno, R-Centralia. “Expanding and continuing this grant program is a win-win for improving safety and reducing costs. I am grateful to Senator John Braun for his leadership on this issue and appreciative for the unanimous, bipartisan support from the committee.”
Background: The FIRE program was enacted by the Legislature in 2019 with the passage of Senate Bill 5175 sponsored by Senate Republican Leader John Braun. The program’s aim is to reduce firefighter occupational injuries and illnesses.
Braun is sponsoring Senate Bill 5886, the companion bill to House Bill 1986.
