HB 06841 Summary

• Establishes firefighter recruitment and training coordinators in each emergency preparedness region to recruit individuals for firefighting careers and provide training assistance to fire departments.

• Creates a volunteer firefighter length of service award program administered by the State Retirement Commission, providing financial awards to eligible volunteer firefighters based on service credit with a trust fund to support the program.

• Expands tuition waiver eligibility at Connecticut public colleges and universities to include firefighters with at least 2 years of service and their dependent children (with 5+ years of service requirement for children).

• Allows lawfully admitted permanent residents who are not U.S. citizens to be employed as firefighters and establishes a paramedic candidate scholarship program through the Department of Public Health.

• Requires the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority to develop mortgage assistance programs for paid and volunteer firefighters purchasing homes in their service communities and directs multiple studies on firefighter compensation, benefits, and cardiac health equipment for emergency services.