The bill H.935 aims to improve emergency management and public safety in Vermont by establishing two new grant programs: the Ready Response Grant Program and the Technical Rescue Grant Program. The Ready Response Grant Program will be managed by the Division of Emergency Management to provide essential resources such as shelf-stable foods and bottled water during emergencies, particularly for individuals with limited access. The Technical Rescue Grant Program will enhance the operational readiness of fire departments and emergency services by funding specialized equipment. The bill also emphasizes the inclusion of disability-led organizations in emergency planning and modifies existing statutes related to the appointment and responsibilities of forest fire wardens.

Key amendments include allowing the chief of a fire department to serve as the town forest fire warden and designate deputy wardens who can issue permits for kindling fires. The bill clarifies the duties of these wardens, including timely reporting of forest fires and establishing guidelines for reimbursement of fire suppression costs. Additionally, it updates the process for proclamations related to fire safety and modifies terminology from "woodlands" to "forestland." The bill also allocates funds for a computer-aided dispatch system and supports multilingual emergency preparedness materials, while extending the Public Safety Communications Task Force until February 15, 2027. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 20-32, 20-51, 10-2603, 10-83, 20-2673, 20-2992