Bill > HB2582

This bill modifies existing law regarding civil service positions in city and town fire departments, specifically concerning the fire chief and other leadership roles. For smaller fire departments with fewer than six firefighters, all full-paid employees, including the fire chief, will remain under civil service protections. However, for larger departments with six or more firefighters, cities and towns will have the option to exempt the fire chief from civil service after July 1, 1987. If the fire chief is not exempt, all employees, including the chief, are covered by civil service. If the fire chief is exempt, the law outlines a tiered system for additional "unclassified service" positions, which are not subject to civil service, based on the total number of firefighters in the department, allowing for a limited number of assistant chiefs, deputy chiefs, division chiefs, and administrative assistants to be outside of civil service. The initial selection of these unclassified positions is made by the fire chief, with subsequent changes requiring agreement from the fire chief, mayor or city administrator, and the civil service commission after a public hearing. Employees in positions moved from classified to unclassified service retain rights to return to a comparable classified position. The bill also reiterates that all appointments and promotions within fire departments must be based on merit and fitness determined through competitive examination.

Government Affairs

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2582&Year=2025&Initiative=false