SB 264 Summary

• Amends the Firefighters Training Council Act to establish comprehensive certification standards for fire service members including firefighters, fire chiefs, fire inspectors, fire investigators, and specialized responders (hazardous materials, technical rescue, airport rescue).

• Requires full-time and part-time firefighters to pass both parts of a state certification examination within 12 months of hiring, and volunteer/paid on-call firefighters to pass part 1 within 24 months; exempts those employed before October 1, 1988.

• Authorizes the state fire marshal to waive examination requirements for military veterans with honorable discharge who completed equivalent firefighter training and for out-of-state certified personnel meeting National Fire Protection Association standards, except those with revoked certifications or felony convictions.

• Establishes a disciplinary process for suspension or revocation of certification for felony conviction, fraud in the certification application, or wrongful disclosure of exam information.

• Requires organized fire departments and public safety departments to maintain employment history records for all fire service members and notify the council within 7 days of changes in department leadership.

• Funds firefighter training through fireworks safety fees and establishes a distribution formula (70% county population, 30% square miles) for payments to county training committees.