Senate Bill 21-166 Summary

• Expands the definition of "emergency responder" to include county improvement districts, municipal fire departments, fire protection districts, volunteer fire departments, hazardous materials authorities, health services districts providing ambulance services, and ambulance districts.

• Creates the Regional and Statewide Mutual Aid System (RSMAS) and Colorado Coordinated Regional Mutual Aid System (CCRMAS) to be administered by the Division of Fire Prevention and Control, establishing geographic DFPC districts with regional mutual aid coordinators to coordinate emergency response across jurisdictions.

• Allows emergency responders to opt out of the RSMAS and CCRMAS by submitting written notice to the Division Director, with limited reimbursement eligibility for those who opt out.

• Permits ambulance services licensed in one county to provide services in other counties under the RSMAS and CCRMAS without requiring additional county licenses.

• Appropriates $1,108,800 to the Department of Public Safety for fiscal year 2021-22, including funding for wildland fire management services and emergency management program administration.