HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-023 Ordinance amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Chapter 6.48 Offenses against governmental order to add interfering with a firefighter or emergency medical services technicianORDINANCE NO. 2021-023
AN ORDINANCE amending Title 6, Public Safety and Morals, of the City of Yakima
Municipal Code to include the misdemeanor criminal offense of interfering
with a firefighter or emergency medical services technician.
WHEREAS, firefighters and emergency medical service technicians perform functions
essential to the health and safety of our community; and
WHEREAS, an individual interfering with a firefighter or emergency medical services
technician's ability to perform their official duties impedes community access to emergency
services, as well as threatens the safety of the person or persons needing aid and the person
providing such aid; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City of Yakima to protect the health and
safety of its citizens, including those whose job it is to provide emergency services, Now,
Therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF YAKIMA:
Section 1. Section 6.48.080 entitled "Interference with a firefighter or emergency
medical services technician" is added as a new Section to the Yakima Municipal Code and
reads as follows:
6.48.080 Interference with a firefighter or emergency medical services
technician.
A. An individual commits the crime of interfering with a firefighter or emergency
medical services technician if the individual, knowing that another person is a firefighter
or emergency medical services technician, intentionally acts in a manner that prevents,
or attempts to prevent, a firefighter or emergency medical services technician from
performing their official powers or duties.
B. As used in this section, "individual" means any person excluding City of Yakima
employees acting in their capacity as employees of the City of Yakima and within the
scope of their official powers or duties.
C. As used in this section, "firefighter" is defined as it is in RCW 41.26.030.
D. As used in this section, "emergency medical services technician" means any
person authorized by the Secretary of the Washington State Department of Health to
render emergency medical care.
E. Interfering with a firefighter or emergency medical services technician is a gross
misdemeanor.
Section 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect 30 days after its passage,
approval, and publication as provided by law and by the City Charter.
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PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, signed and approved this 21st day of September,
2021.
ATTEST: 'atricia Byers, ayor
O,MA
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Sonya C aa Tee, City Cler & 4
Publication Date: September 24,;2Q21 416'
Effective Date: October 24, 2021
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ITEM TITLE:
SUBMITTED BY:
BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEM ENT
Item No. 4.L.
For Meeting of: September 21, 2021
Ordinance amending the City of Yakima Municipal Code Chapter
6.48 Offenses against governmental order to add interfering with a
firefighter or emergency medical services technician
Erin Moore, Assistant City Attorney
Ryan Bleek, Senior Assistant City Attorney
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
The Fire Department has requested that the City Council consider the proposed ordinance that
would modify Chapter 6.48 of the Yakima Municipal Code entitled "Offenses Against
Governmental Order" to include the Section 6.48.080 entitled "Interfering with a Firefighter or
Emergency Medical Services Technician." The proposed ordinance would protect firefighters
and other emergency medical service providers from interference while performing their lawful
duties, and help ensure community access to emergency services. If passed, the new ordinance
would create a new misdemeanor criminal offense.
ITEM BUDGETED:
STRATEGIC PRIORITY:
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOM M ENDATION:
Pass Ordinance
Public Safety
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
a Ordinance - YMC 6.48 Interfering with a firefighter - track 9/9/2021 Ordinance
changes
Ordinance - YMC 6.48 Interfering with a firefighter - 9/9/2021 Ordinance
changes accepted