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Section Chair's Welcome Letter:

WFC Public Fire Educators is a section of the Washington Fire Chiefs, representing nearly 100 departments throughout the State of Washington. WPFE is dedicated to the reduction of injuries and lives lost due to fire and other hazards through prevention programs.

WPFE Goals:

  • The promotion of professional interaction with the citizens of Washington State.
  • The standardization of comprehensive educational materials and programs throughout  the State of Washington.
  • Cooperative development and planning with other fire service divisions, WFC Section and other related organization.
  • Educational opportunities for fire and life safety educators.

Members learn together and from each other. Sharing resources and ideas is the mainstay of this organization. We strive for standardization of concepts to serve our communities more effectively and we encourage creativity to personalize and enhance our audience appeal.

Educational opportunities are provided at minimal cost to ensure that public educators are prepared to develop, present, and evaluate their programs - not to mention inspired to present them! 

Four business meetings are held annually and the dates are posted to our website. The business of the section is determined at these meetings, so your participation is encouraged and welcomed. It's easy to join - simply click "Join WPFE" on the right. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact any Board Member. We will be glad to help in any way possible

WPFE is always on the lookout for innovative, creative, friendly educators who wish to help us combat fire and injury in Washington State. As our mission says, we "Ignite Awareness, Extinguish Risk."
 
Sincerely Welcome,
 
Ben Shearer, Chair

PFE Section Board

 CHAIR - Ben Shearer (Pasco Fire)

VICE-CHAIR - Erica Littlewood (South Whatcom Fire Authority).

PAST CHAIR - Melanie Taylor (Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority)  

PIO - Jamie McIntyre (Spokane Fire) 

SECRETARY - Shawneri Guzman 

(South Sno Fire)

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE- Kelly Hawks - (Valley Regional Fire Authority)

MEETING INFORMATION

WPFE meets quarterly for business meetings. The location varies to afford departments around the state the ability to attend. The Annual Business Meeting is for the purpose of installing officers newly elected.  Currently, meetings are scheduled each year in March, May during the Washington State Chiefs conference, August, and October during the Fire Prevention Institute hosted by WASFM, unless otherwise noted.

Anyone may attend a general WPFE meeting, even if they are not a member.  We encourage everyone to join us and share their ideas with other public educators!

We are always looking for motivated educators and PIO's to share their ideas with others around the state.  Currently we are working with the Washington State Fire Marshal's Office to provide Fire and Life Safety Educator 1 with IFSAC certificate on each side of the state every other year. This years class is being hosted by The Spokane Fire Department March 31-April 3. The cost is $300 Contact Jamie McIntyre at SFD.  jmcintyre@spokanefire.org 

Impact Teen Drivers program is being offered in Kent coming up March 10 at 930 AM - 130 PM Register at info@impactteendrivers.org

If you have questions about the WPFE or CRR programs please feel free to contact me.  

Ben Shearer

shearerb@pasco-wa.gov

Recent PFE News

Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act Information

Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act Information
Posted: Jan 31, 2019
Categories: News, WFC News
Comments: 0

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) wanted to make you aware of new regulations concerning certain fire and emergency vehicles as well as new signage you may soon see on and near interstate bridges.

On Dec. 4, 2015, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act was signed into law. With the enactment of the FAST Act, state and local governments are now moving forward with implementation of the weight increases allowed for certain Emergency Vehicles (EV’s). The weight increases will pertain to the interstate system and one mile access to and from the interstate. (State Routes and county and city roads are not affected unless within the one mile access area)

The FAST Act defines an emergency vehicle as one designed to be used under emergency conditions to transport personnel and equipment to support the suppression of fires and mitigation of other hazardous situations (23 U.S.C. 127(r)(2)). The gross vehicle weight limit for EV’s is 86,000 pounds under section 127(r). The statute imposes the following additional limits, depending upon vehicle configuration:

·         24,000 pounds on a single steering axle

·         33,500 pounds on a single drive axle

·         62,000 pounds on a tandem axle

·         52,000 pounds on a tandem rear drive steer axle

Under the FAST Act, WSDOT has started analyzing bridges and structures affected by the FAST Act EV weight increases – to determine if the bridges can safely handle the increased weight. WSDOT should have all analysis completed by the end of 2019, but results so far have shown that several structures on the interstate system will require new posting for EV limits and restrictions.

WSDOT will use the posting signs below, as recommended by the Federal Highway Administration.

Emergency Vehicle Postings


 

WSDOT has compiled a list of bridges with EV postings. You can access this list at the following location:

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/47F0B3D7-5247-46F8-8C5E-4993D4F3F96E/0/EmergencyVehiclesBridgeRestrictions.pdf

This list will be updated if additional bridges with EV limits are identified. Please be on the lookout for these signs. If they affect routes your agency may use during emergency response please make alternate route plans or contact WSDOT for further information.

 

Things to keep in mind about these new EV signs and weight limits:

·         The signs and posted limits apply only to Emergency Vehicles that are above the listed limits (many EVs will be under the limits).

·         The FAST Act only pertains to the interstate and one-mile access to and from the interstate.

·         Under existing law, permits are required once outside the one-mile access area when weight of the Emergency Vehicle exceeds what is authorized in RCW 46.44.190(4).

Questions/Contacts

Technical questions about bridges and structures and weight limits: Mohamad Al-Salman, alsalm@wsdot.wa.gov or 360-570-2567.

Firefighting truck permits outside the intestate system: Justin Heryford, HeryfoJ@wsdot.wa.gov  or 360-705-7987.

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