Which body governs the Seattle Fire Department?

The Seattle Fire Department is governed by the City of Seattle. This means that the policies, procedures, and overall management of the department fall under the jurisdiction of the city government. Local governance allows for more tailored responses to the specific needs and priorities of the Seattle community, including regulations, funding, and operational command.

In contrast, while the Washington State Fire Marshal oversees fire safety and regulation at the state level, they do not govern individual city departments. Similarly, agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA are federal entities intended for broader national safety and disaster response rather than local fire department governance. Their roles are more focused on national policy-making, emergency management, and disaster response coordination rather than on the management and policy of local fire services.