The bill establishes two new grant programs in Vermont: the Ready Response Grant Program and the Technical Rescue Grant Program. The Ready Response Grant Program, overseen by the Division of Emergency Management, aims to provide essential food and bottled water resources to individuals in need during emergencies, allowing annual grants to food banks for sourcing, storing, and distributing these resources. The Technical Rescue Grant Program focuses on enhancing the operational readiness of fire departments and emergency services by funding specialized equipment, protective gear, and training, prioritizing applicants with agreements for swiftwater rescue or those serving multiple jurisdictions.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to incorporate a "whole community" approach in emergency planning, emphasizing collaboration among stakeholders, including government officials and organizations serving vulnerable populations. It updates the roles of local emergency planning committees to ensure diverse representation and coordination with disability-led organizations. The bill also introduces provisions for reimbursing municipalities for forest fire suppression costs, modifies the responsibilities of town forest fire wardens, and establishes the Increasing Wildland Fire Response Capacity Task Force to enhance the state's wildland fire response capabilities. Furthermore, it authorizes the Department of Public Safety to utilize funds for a multidisciplinary computer-aided dispatch system and includes provisions for emergency rulemaking in response to federal changes, with a sunset clause for certain authorities set for July 1, 2028.

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
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 20-32, 20-51, 10-2603, 10-83, 20-2673, 20-2992, 20-50, 3-844
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 20-50, 20-32, 10-2603, 10-83, 20-2673, 20-2992, 3-844
As Enacted: 20-50, 20-32, 10-2603, 10-83, 20-2673, 20-2992, 3-844