The bill H.935 establishes two new grant programs in Vermont to enhance emergency management: the Ready Response Grant Program and the Technical Rescue Grant Program. The Ready Response Grant Program, overseen by the Division of Emergency Management, will provide annual grants to eligible food banks for sourcing, storing, and distributing food and bottled water to those in need during emergencies. The Technical Rescue Grant Program aims to support fire departments, emergency medical services, and technical rescue agencies by funding specialized equipment, training, and personal protective gear, with a maximum grant limit of $5,000 per applicant and a total cap of $25,000 in grants per fiscal year.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to improve the inclusion of disability-led organizations in emergency planning and response, mandates local emergency management plans to involve these organizations, and emphasizes accessible communication in alert systems. It also updates the roles of forest fire wardens, designating the chief of the fire department as the town forest fire warden and allowing for the appointment of deputy wardens. The bill modifies compensation structures for fire wardens, clarifies reimbursement processes for fire suppression costs, and introduces new definitions and conditions for fire permits. Furthermore, it allocates funds for a multidisciplinary computer-aided dispatch system and supports the creation of emergency response media in multiple languages, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 20-32, 20-51, 10-2603, 10-83, 20-2673, 20-2992
As Passed By the House -- Official: 20-32, 20-51, 10-2603, 10-83, 20-2673, 20-2992
As Passed By the House -- Unofficial: 20-32, 20-51, 10-2603, 10-83, 20-2673, 20-2992