Thanks to a bill from Rep. David Stuebe, Washington backcountry search and rescue teams could soon receive a boost in their emergency response efforts.
On Wednesday, the House Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee unanimously passed House Bill 1625, Stuebe’s first bill as a state representative.
HB 1625 would create a grant program to support backcountry search and rescue organizations and volunteers. “The reality is natural disasters, and other emergencies continue to increase throughout the state,” said Stuebe, R-Washougal. “Unfortunately, we simply don’t have enough resources to answer the call effectively every time emergencies occur.”
The Washington State Military Department Emergency Management Division estimates that approximately 1,000 search and rescue missions occur annually in Washington.
“This legislation would not create an additional burden for the state. Instead, by creating a grant program, we could help fund these backcountry search and rescue efforts without adding more expenses to the state budget,” said Stuebe.
“With the additional funding, responders would have a better chance of saving people when disasters and emergencies strike. This program would provide better training, resources, and outcomes.”
HB 1625 would create the Backcountry Search and Rescue Account and a mechanism to fund the grant account through legislative appropriations, donations, grants, or funds from other public or private sources. There is a companion bill in the Senate, SB 5631.
The Washington State Military Department would administer the program, creating the account in the state treasury.
If the legislation passes, the new rescue grant program would provide grants to search and rescue organizations for backcountry search and rescue volunteers’ planning, equipment, training, exercise, and operation costs. It would also allow counties, cities, and towns to recover backcountry search and rescue costs that are not reimbursed through other sources.
“I’m happy to see this bill pass committee,” said Stuebe. “I hope it keeps moving forward and becomes law because we need to do more to help our backcountry search and rescue agencies and responders.”
The bill now awaits a vote by the entire House.
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