PRESS RELEASE
04/02/2020

PUBLIC RECORDS ACT MODIFICATION
FIVE-DAY RESPONSE REQUIREMENT WAIVED

On March 24, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee issued proclamation 20-28, modifying how public agencies comply with the Open Public Meetings Act and the Public Records Act. In response, Benton County Fire District No. 2 is making changes to how these public processes are conducted until the requirements expire, currently April 23, 2020.

Effective immediately, the Governor’s proclamation has waived the requirement to respond to public records requests within five days to notify the requester how and when the district will produce the requested documents. We cannot accept public record requests in person at this time. The public should go to the District website at https://bcfpd2.specialdistrict.org/ or contact our District via by mail, email, or fax to obtain records.

Requestors are not permitted to inspect records at the Fire Station. The District will fulfill all requests through email, fax or U.S. Postal Mail. The COVID 19 pandemic is affecting all Fire District operations, and district staff are being intentional to limit and reduce potential exposure to this virus. The risk mitigations include working remotely when possible and no public access to our station facilities.

The district remains focused on our primary mission to provide the best service we can while adapting to these very different and challenging times and preparing for potential community needs. These realities may affect the speed at which the district can fulfill public records requests. The Fire District will inform individuals making public records requests of our good-faith estimate when we will be able to produce the requested documents.

Related Documents

1. PROCLAMATION 20-05   COVID-19: Stay Home, Stay Healthy
2. PROCLAMATION 20-28   COVID-19: Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act
3. PROCLAMATION 20-28.2   COVID-19: Open Public Meetings Act and Public Records Act