CT SB00103

Municipal and volunteer fire departments must maintain fire apparatus in compliance with United States Department of Transportation safety, inspection and maintenance regulations, effective October 1, 2014.

Fire departments must maintain pump and aerial components of apparatus in compliance with National Fire Protection Association standard 1911 inspection, maintenance and testing requirements.

Failure to comply with maintenance standards constitutes negligence, allowing paid or volunteer firefighters injured as a result to bring civil actions against municipalities for damages instead of filing workers' compensation claims.

Governmental immunity is not a defense in civil actions brought under this provision, removing a traditional legal barrier for municipalities in such cases.