(a) (1) The Rural Fire Departments Study Committee of the General Assembly shall conduct an in-depth study of the funding of rural fire departments to determine the sources and whether it is sufficient to provide adequate fire protection in rural areas.
(2) The committee shall study and make recommendations for a permanent source of funding for these rural fire departments.
(b) The committee shall also designate rural areas that do not have adequate fire protection and make recommendations as to the needs of these areas.
(c) The committee shall:
(1) Study, review, and analyze potential incentives and methods to recruit and retain volunteers for fire departments;
(2) Study and review the number of fire departments and any available resources in the state to determine the most efficient operation of fire departments and evaluate if consolidation of fire departments or other measures are necessary to improve efficiency;
(3) Study and review all types of fire departments, including without limitation countywide fire departments, and the potential conversion of the departments to fire protection districts;
(4) Study and develop a comprehensive plan to bring all fire departments' Insurance Services Office, Inc.'s Public Protection Classification rating to Class 6 or less by January 1, 2024, including without limitation a review of:
(A) Numbers of volunteers for each fire department;
(B) Number of fire department locations;
(C) Equipment at each fire department location; and
(D) Essential equipment necessary at each fire department location;
(5) Study and review the financial solvency of fire departments and analyze the impact of an increase in funding to the fire departments;
(6) Study and review the role of fire departments, including without limitation response to fires, nonstructural fires, medical assistance calls, rescues, and other emergency services;
(7) Study and review the role of fire department consultants and establish guidelines and qualifications for fire department consulting services; and
(8) Study and review other fire department matters as deemed necessary by the committee.
Section: Previous 14-272-102 14-272-103 14-272-104 NextLast modified: November 15, 2016