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Department of Fish and Wildlife doubles down on safety after two on‑the‑job deaths
Summary
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife told the Senate committee it has accelerated a multi‑year safety overhaul after two recent field fatalities, implementing new policies, digital incident reporting and training while seeking funding to sustain improvements.
The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) presented a broad review of changes to its safety program after two recent field fatalities, telling the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resource Committee that safety is now its top funding priority.
Amy, the executive leader for the department’s safety initiative, described steps taken since 2018 and said the agency moved more aggressively after two employee deaths in late 2023 and January 2024. WDFW has updated policies on personal flotation devices, motorized and non‑motorized boat operation, incident reporting, field communication, and personal safety; hired additional safety staff and field trainers; and launched a digital incident reporting system that the agency says will capture near misses as well as injuries.
Why it matters: WDFW staff and volunteers work in remote, hazardous conditions across the state. The agency said about 2,400 people work for WDFW and roughly 1,000 volunteers support field work; staff and volunteers together account for substantial field exposure that the agency estimates at about 4,000,000 field hours annually.
Key actions and tools: Amy said WDFW has hired six additional field trainers, created regional safety offices, and issued individual first‑aid kits and field communication devices to all field staff. The agency created a direct phone line to enforcement officers so field staff can quickly request support while working with the public. WDFW also contracted Rizicon to review its program and develop a timeline for integrating a proactive, enterprise‑level safety program; the department plans to hire an executive‑level safety director who will report to the department’s executive team.
Training and participation: WDFW reported a multi‑day “safety stand up” attended by about 900 staff each day and said it plans second‑tier training for roughly 500 motorboat operators. Amy said the department now requires staff to check in and out of the field and to carry a communication device while working in remote locations.
Funding and next steps: Director Susswind said safety was the department’s top funding priority in the current budget cycle and that WDFW will continue to seek funding to sustain hired staff, training, gear, and the planned executive safety director. No dollar figure was presented to the committee during this session.
Ending: WDFW leaders said the agency has made substantial progress but that cultural and operational changes will take time. Amy closed by emphasizing the department’s goal that every employee return home “whole in body and whole in mind.”
