File #: 2007-0359    Version:
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 6/18/2007 In control: Law, Justice and Human Services Committee
On agenda: Final action: 10/15/2007
Enactment date: 10/23/2007 Enactment #: 15921
Title: AN ORDINANCE relating to fire investigations; amending Ordinance 11955, Section 5, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.16.055 and Ordinance 1438, Section 3(C), as amended, and K.C.C. 2.16.060.
Sponsors: Dow Constantine
Indexes: Fire Dept
Code sections: 2.16.055 - , 2.16.060 -
Attachments: 1. 15921.pdf, 2. 2007-0359 Attachment #2 for 10-04-07 LJHS ~ KCDDES, FIU Safety Review.pdf, 3. 2007-0359 Attachment #3 for 10-04-07 LJHS - Proposed Amendment S1.doc, 4. 2007-0359 REVISED Staff Report from 10-04-07 LJHS.doc, 5. 2007-0359 Staff Report for 10-04-07 LJHS.doc
Staff: Curry, Clifton
drafter
CE 10/10/2007
Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to fire investigations; amending Ordinance 11955, Section 5, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.16.055 and Ordinance 1438, Section 3(C), as amended, and K.C.C. 2.16.060.
Body
PREAMBLE:
King County's fire investigation unit is King County's first line of defense in identifying and combating arson. These trained and certified investigators serve residents of unincorporated King County and of 16 cities through contracts with King County.
The Fire Investigation Unit is currently housed within the fire marshal's office in the department of development and environmental services.
King County fire investigators function as law enforcement personnel, performing investigations, questioning witnesses and responding to incidents around the clock. All fire investigation personnel are specially commissioned by the King County office of the sheriff ("KCSO") and investigators utilize KCSO radio frequencies and the KCSO property management unit. Fire investigators are included within the new public safety employees retirement system.
Given the law enforcement duties performed by members of the fire investigation unit, the KCSO would be a more appropriate agency to supervise its operations.

BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Ordinance 11955, Section 5, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.16.055 are each hereby amended as follows:
A. The department of development and environmental services is responsible to manage and be fiscally accountable for the building services division, land use services division, fire marshal division and administrative services division. The director of the department shall be the county planning director, zoning adjuster and responsible official for purposes of administering the state Environmental Policy Act, and may delegate those functions to qualified subordinates. The department shall be responsible for regulating the operation, maintenance and conduct of county-licensed b...

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