The bill establishes a Back Country Search and Rescue Grant Program to support organizations and volunteers engaged in search and rescue operations in remote areas. It amends existing laws, specifically RCW 38.52.020 and RCW 38.52.010, to introduce new definitions, including "Back country search and rescue," which refers to the activities of locating lost, injured, or deceased individuals in challenging terrains. The bill also defines "Search and rescue organization" as a nonprofit entity or group of emergency workers recognized by local authorities, highlighting their critical role in these operations. Additionally, it clarifies various terms related to emergency services and the roles of emergency workers to enhance the efficiency of emergency response efforts.

Moreover, the bill updates the definition of "Washington state patrol public safety answering points" and modifies emergency management provisions to include compensation for emergency workers involved in back country search and rescue. It emphasizes intergovernmental cooperation in emergency management and the development of continuity of operations plans. The new grant program will be administered by the department responsible for emergency management, with a dedicated account funded through appropriations and donations. The program aims to prioritize grants for frontier and rural counties, as well as distressed areas, to assist search and rescue organizations in covering costs associated with back country operations, ultimately improving public safety and response capabilities in Washington State.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 38.52.020
Substitute Bill: 38.52.020