S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
8271
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
June 11, 2019
___________
Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee
on Local Governments
AN ACT to amend the general municipal law, in relation to qualifications
of a fire chief
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. The general municipal law is amended by adding a new
section 204-dd to read as follows:
§ 204-DD. QUALIFICATIONS OF A FIRE CHIEF. NO PERSON SHALL BE ELIGIBLE
FOR APPOINTMENT OR ELECTION AS A FIRE CHIEF, OR ANY TITLE OR RANK THAT
INCLUDES THE DUTIES OF THE CHIEF, IN ANY FIRE DEPARTMENT OR FIRE COMPANY
WITH SIX OR MORE PAID FIREFIGHTERS, UNLESS HE OR SHE MEETS THE REQUIRE-
MENTS ESTABLISHED BY THE CHIEF TRAINING AND EDUCATION TASK FORCE AS
DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS
SECTION, THE TERM FIREFIGHTER SHALL MEAN A MEMBER OF A FIRE DEPARTMENT
WHOSE DUTIES INCLUDE FIRE SERVICE AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH D OF SUBDIVI-
SION ELEVEN OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED TWO OF THE RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL
SECURITY LAW AND WHO HAS BEEN ASSIGNED BY HIS OR HER DEPARTMENT AS AN
INTERIOR FIREFIGHTER.
1. THERE IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECU-
RITY AND EMERGENCY SERVICES A CHIEF TRAINING AND EDUCATION TASK FORCE.
THE PURPOSE OF THE TASK FORCE IS TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR
ANY CHIEF, OR ANY TITLE OR RANK THAT INCLUDES THE DUTIES OF A CHIEF, IN
ANY FIRE DEPARTMENT OR FIRE COMPANY WITH SIX OR MORE PAID FIREFIGHTERS.
THE TASK FORCE SHALL NO LATER THAN ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS AFTER THE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, SUBMIT TO THE STATE FIRE ADMINISTRATOR
RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THE QUALIFICATIONS ESTABLISHED BY THE TASK
FORCE. UPON RECEIPT OF THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS, THE STATE FIRE
ADMINISTRATOR SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS BASED UPON RECOM-
MENDATIONS OF THE TASK FORCE.
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD13219-01-9
A. 8271 2
2. THE TASK FORCE SHALL THEREAFTER MEET ANNUALLY TO REVIEW PREVIOUSLY
ESTABLISHED QUALIFICATIONS BY THE TASK FORCE AND AMEND ANY QUALIFICA-
TIONS SUCH TASK FORCE DEEMS NECESSARY. THE STATE FIRE ADMINISTRATOR
SHALL ISSUE AMENDED RULES AND REGULATIONS BASED ON AMENDMENTS RECOM-
MENDED BY THE TASK FORCE.
3. THE CHIEF TRAINING AND EDUCATION TASK FORCE SHALL CONSIST OF SIX
MEMBERS AND SHALL INCLUDE THE COMMISSIONER OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND
EMERGENCY SERVICES OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE PRESIDENT OF THE FIRE-
MEN'S ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE
PRESIDENT OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS OR HIS OR HER
DESIGNEE; THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION OF FIRE DISTRICTS OF NEW YORK
STATE OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; THE PRESIDENT OF THE COUNTY FIRE COORDINA-
TORS OF THE NEW YORK STATE OR HIS OR HER DESIGNEE; AND THE PRESIDENT OF
THE NEW YORK STATE PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION OR HIS OR HER
DESIGNEE. ALL APPOINTEES OF THE CHIEF TRAINING AND EDUCATION TASK FORCE
SHALL BE MADE NO LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
SECTION. ANY VACANCY SHALL BE FILLED BY THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY.
4. THE MEMBERS OF THE CHIEF TRAINING AND EDUCATION TASK FORCE SHALL
SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION, EXCEPT THAT MEMBERS SHALL BE ALLOWED THEIR
NECESSARY AND ACTUAL EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR
DUTIES UNDER THIS SECTION.
5. THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SHALL PROVIDE THE CHIEF TRAIN-
ING AND EDUCATION TASK FORCE WITH SUCH FACILITIES, ASSISTANCE, AND DATA
AS WILL ENABLE SUCH TASK FORCE TO CARRY OUT ITS POWERS AND DUTIES.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.