Acess to Public Records
Access to Public Records
1. PUBLIC RECORDS INCLUDE WRITTEN INFORMATION
Public records of the Walla Walla North County Fire District include any writing, film, video recording, or data compilation containing information relating to the performance of any government function prepared, owned, used or retained by the District except records and information exempt from public inspection and copy under RCW 42.17.310 or other applicable statutes.
2. PUBLIC RECORDS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION
All public records of the District as defined above are available for public inspection and copying pursuant to these rules, except as otherwise provided by Chapter 42.17 RCW and other applicable statutes.
3. RECORDS LOCATED AT DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS
The District’s current public records shall be maintained at the office of the District Secretary.
4. HOURS OF INSPECTION AND COPYING
Public records shall be available for inspection and copying by appointment with the District Secretary.
5. REQUESTS ARE TO BE MADE IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 42.17 RCW, public records may be inspected, copies obtained by members of the public as follows:
Requests shall be made in writing to the District Secretary and shall include the following:
A. The name and address of the person requesting the records.
B. The time of day and calendar date on which the request is made.
C. The nature of the request.
D. If the matter requested is referenced in a current index maintained by the District, a reference to the requested record as it is described in such index.
E. If the requested matter is not identifiable by reference to an index, an appropriate description of the record requested.
In all cases in which a member of the public makes a request it shall be the obligation of the employee to whom the request is made to assist the member of the public appropriately identifying the public record requested.
6. FEES SHALL BE COLLECTED FOR COSTS INCURRED
No fee shall be charged for the inspection of public records. The following charges shall be imposed to reimburse the District for costs incurred in providing public records. In the event the District is requested to mail requested copies, an additional charge in the amount of the actual or estimated postage shall be made.
A. General Records: With the exception of medical incident reports the District shall charge a fee of Fifteen cents per page for providing copies of District records. For reprints of photos, maps or other records that must be reproduced at non-district facilities, the District shall charge the actual
Reproduction costs.
B. Medical Incident Reports: In accordance with Chapter 70.02 RCW the District shall charge a Clerical fee for searching and handling requests for medical incident reports of $5.00 for each report.
7. CERTAIN RECORDS ARE EXEMPT FROM PUBLIC INSPECTION
The district reserves the right to determine that a record requested is exempt in whole or in part from public inspections under RCW 42.17.310 or other applicable statutes.
In accordance with RCW 42.17.260 the District reserves the right to delete identifying details when it makes available any public record in any case where there is reason to believe that disclosure of such details would be an invasion of personal privacy protected by Chapter 42.17 RCW. The employee who deletes such information shall fully justify such deletion in writing.
All denials of request for public records shall be accompanied by a written statement specifying the reason for the denial, including a statement of the specific exemption authorizing the withholding of the record and a brief explanation of how the exemption applies to the record.
8. REVIEW OF DENIALS AVAILABLE
Any person who objects to the denials of a request to inspect or copy a public record may petition for a prompt review of such decision by submitting a written request for review.
Upon receipt of a written request for review of a decision denying inspection or copying of a public record, the employee to whom the request has been submitted shall refer it to the Board of Commissioners. The Board shall consider the matter as quickly as possible and either affirm or reverse the denial. the final decision shall be rendered to the individual who requested the record within two business days after the denial of the request.
Administrative remedies shall not be considered exhausted until the District has responded to the request with its decision or until a period of five business days has elapsed since the receipt of the request by the District.
9. COOPERATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT
The District will cooperate and provide necessary copies of reports with local and state law enforcement agencies in order to assist with necessary investigation of incidents that the District responds to.
10. STATUATORY PROVISIONS EFFECTING DISCLOSUR OF RECORDS
The following list contains laws that may exempt or prohibit disclosure of specific information or records:
Industrial Insurance RCW 51.16.070
RCW 51.48.040
RCW 51.28.080
Juvenile Justice CH 13.50 RCW
Alcohol & Drug Abuse Treatment RCW 70.96A.150
Mental Health RCW 71.05.390
Domestic Relations RCW 26.09.225
Sexually Transmitted Diseases CH 70.24 RCS
Health Care Information Act Title 70 RCW
Background Checks RCW 43.43.830-840
WAC 446-20-300
Open Public Records Act CH 42.17 RCW
Address Confidentiality for Victims of
Domestic Violence CH 40.24 RCW