This bill establishes a Fire Station Rehabilitation and Maintenance Code aimed at ensuring the safety and health of firefighters and their departments in New Jersey. It mandates the Commissioner of Community Affairs to develop regulations that include annual testing for hazardous substances such as asbestos and mold, remediation of identified harmful materials, and the installation of advanced HVAC systems with HEPA purification. Additionally, all fire stations are required to include a steam room for detoxification purposes. The bill specifically targets paid and part-paid fire departments serving populations greater than 300,000, requiring them to replace fire trucks every 10 to 15 years and perform necessary safety equipment maintenance, with reimbursement from the state capped at $10 million.

To support these initiatives, the bill creates the Fire Station Rehabilitation and Maintenance Fund, appropriating $110 million from the General Fund and an additional $10 million from federal Firefighter Safety Grants to provide grants and loans to eligible fire departments. It also establishes a Fire Equipment Replacement Fund with a $30 million appropriation for the replacement and maintenance of fire trucks and safety equipment. Municipalities may impose surcharges on fire inspection fees to help fund compliance with the new regulations. The bill requires the commissioner to collaborate with various state departments to implement these provisions and is set to take effect four months after enactment, allowing for necessary preparatory actions.