HB 255 Summary: Volunteer Rural Firefighting

• Defines "volunteer rural firefighter" as an individual holding a Volunteer Rural Firefighter Certificate of Completion who provides fire services through a fire service provider in a municipality with fewer than 12,000 residents or a county with fewer than 150,000 residents.

• Authorizes the Division of State Fire Marshal to award Volunteer Rural Firefighter Certificates of Completion and establish training courses and examinations, with required training not exceeding 160 hours and including emergency medical responder training.

• Allows the division to award credit toward the certificate for approved courses successfully completed on or after July 1, 1970 that were creditable at the time of completion.

• Requires volunteer rural firefighters to maintain certification every 4 years by either remaining active or completing a 40-hour refresher course.

• Requires fire service providers in eligible municipalities to notify the Division of State Fire Marshal electronically within 10 days of hiring, retaining, or terminating a volunteer rural firefighter.

• Takes effect July 1, 2016.