The proposed bill, if enacted, would amend current statutes by appropriating $2,000,000 from the state General Fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Arizona Department of Administration (ADOA) specifically for a fire incident management grant program. The bill stipulates that no more than $250,000 of the appropriated funds may be used for administrative purposes, including audits of grant recipients, while the remaining funds are designated for grants to municipal fire departments and fire districts. The bill outlines specific criteria for the hardware and software that these grants would support, including the establishment of a secure incident management platform and a standardized incident command system.
Additionally, the bill introduces requirements for the grant program, such as allowing each municipal fire department or fire district to submit grant requests, awarding grants on a first-come, first-served basis, and ensuring that awarded grants fully fund the costs of the incident management system for three years. It mandates ADOA to submit a report by December 31, 2025, detailing grant applicants and recipients, and exempts the appropriation from lapsing provisions. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the capabilities of fire departments in Arizona through improved incident management systems.