Senate committee advances study of state fire-service operations after large wildfires

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee recommended a do-pass for Senate Bill 2340 following a hearing in which firefighters, emergency managers and the State Fire Marshal described stretched resources and gaps in coordination during recent major wildland fires.

Senator Greg Kessel, sponsor of SB 2340, told the committee the bill would fund a comprehensive study to "assess current capabilities and identify gaps" and to develop "a road map to enhance the state's fire service preparedness and response capabilities." He opened testimony by saying, "The devastating October wildfires highlighted critical shortcomings in our state's emergency response capabilities." (Sen. Greg Kessel)

Why it matters: Committee testimony said local volunteer departments and county emergency managers bore the brunt of recent large fires, leaving little capacity to backfill other emergencies. Witnesses asked the Legislature to require a statewide sit-down of local, state and federal partners to identify training, mobilization, resource…