Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov

*** For Immediate Release***

Date: April 1, 2010
Contact: Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Gannie
Phone: 360-596-3917
E-mail: melissa.gannie@wsp.wa.gov

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2009 Fire in Washington Now Available Online

Acting State Fire Marshal Paul Perz announced today that the 2009 Fire in Washington annual report is now available on the web at www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/nfirs.htm.

"In 2009, there were over 25,000 fires resulting in 59 deaths and more than $239 million in property loss reported by the Washington State Fire Service," says Acting State Fire Marshal Perz. Fires have a devastating effect on our communities. The National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) is a tool the fire service uses to capture information about emergency incidents in a uniform manner. This reporting system enables local, state, and federal fire agencies to share information and work together to prevent fires.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is a Bureau of the Washington State Patrol, providing fire and life safety services to the citizens of Washington State including inspections of state licensed facilities, plan review of school construction projects, licensing of fire sprinkler contractors and pyrotechnic operators, training Washington State’s firefighters, and collecting emergency response data.

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