The bill sHB6838, also known as File No. 367, proposes significant changes to the fire services administration in the state. It establishes a Division of Fire Services Administration within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), effective October 1, 2023, replacing the Office of State Fire Administration. The new division will be led by a deputy commissioner with at least five years of managerial or strategic planning experience in fire services. The bill transfers all functions, powers, duties, and personnel from the former Office of State Fire Administration to the new division and updates statutory language to reflect this change. It also mandates the creation of a strategic master plan for fire services, appropriates $250,000 for a study to inform this plan, and revises the powers and duties of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, including the establishment of standards and certification examinations for fire service personnel.

The bill includes various insertions and deletions to update the legal language, such as replacing "State Fire Administrator" with "Deputy Director of the Division of Fire Services Administration" and "Office of State Fire Administration" with "Division of Fire Services Administration." It also removes the commission's authority to appoint assistants for functions devised for the Office of State Fire Administration. The bill reconstitutes the Connecticut Emergency Response Commission and the E 9-1-1 Commission, detailing the composition and appointment of members to these commissions. Additionally, the bill stipulates that municipalities cannot reduce funding to volunteer fire companies based on the payments received under a new provision that compensates volunteer fire companies for responding to calls on specified highways and areas. The bill reflects a fiscal impact with costs to the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and associated fringe benefits.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 29-1b, 7-323l, 7-323n, 7-323o, 7-313m, 7-323s, 7-323v, 28-29a
PS Joint Favorable: 29-1b, 7-323l, 7-323n, 7-323o, 7-313m, 7-323s, 7-323v, 28-29a
File No. 367: 29-1b, 7-323l, 7-323n, 7-323o, 7-313m, 7-323s, 7-323v, 28-29a