HB2661 H GO AM 3-18

Hatfield 3345

    The Committee on Government Organization moves to amend the bill the bill on page two, section one, line eight, after the word “authorized” by striking out the period and adding the following: “with the following amendments:

    On page three, subsection 3.5. by striking out the subsection 3.5. in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

    ‘All active fire line officers, excluding any training coordinator or safety officer or coordinator, shall have completed an approved Fire Officer I curriculum, or equivalent, or have completed advanced training beyond Firefighter II. Such advanced training may include, but not be limited to: Incident Safety Officer training, fire department management leadership, Managing Company or Tactical Operations Courses, or other Emergency Management training. These advanced trainings should be specific to the primary mission of the fire department. For purposes of this rule, three (3) years of continuous active experience with the fire department following completion of an approved Firefighter I course shall qualify as “advanced training”.’

    On page three, subsection 3.6. by striking out the subsection 3.6. in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

    ‘All active Chief and Assistant Chief members must have completed an approved Firefighter II curriculum, or equivalent, and have completed a Fire Officer I curriculum, or a Fire Officer II curriculum, or equivalent, or have completed advanced training beyond Firefighter II. For purposes of this rule, five (5) years of continuous active experience with the fire department following completion of an approved Firefighter II course shall qualify as “advanced training” in meeting this standard.’

    On page three, subsection 3.7. by striking out the subsection 3.7. in its entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following:

    ‘All operators of fire department engines, tankers, aerials, and rescue trucks must have a Firefighter I certification, have a valid driver’s license, and must have completed an approved Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC), or equivalent, and pass any and all testing required for certification. Provided that, during maintenance or service of the vehicle, any person operating a vehicle to perform his or her job, may operate that vehicle as long as that person meets all other requirements to operate that vehicle as set forth by statute.

    Nothing in this rule shall prohibit specialized support members or emergency medical response personnel from operating fire department squads, ambulances and/or emergency medical response vehicles, or prevent ancillary support members of fire departments from operating utility vehicles.’

    On page eight, after subsection 6.9, by adding a new subsection, designated ‘6.10.’ all to read as follows:

    ‘6.10. All fire pumps and hoses, and aerial apparatus shall be tested as least annually for compliance with NFPA 1901, 1911, 1961 and 1962. Records of these tests shall be maintained by the department for a minimum of five (5) years and shall be produced by the department upon request of the Fire Commission, Fire Marshal, or governmental entity overseeing the Department.’

    On page eight, by striking out subsection 6.11. and by inserting in lieu thereof a new subsection 6.11. And by adding thereto a new subsection, designated subsections 6.12. all to read as follows:

    ‘6.11. Apparatus classified as reserve apparatus or special call apparatus shall be exempt from having to have the full compliment of NFPA 1901 equipment. Reserve or special call apparatus shall have sufficient equipment available within the fire department should it be placed into an active service role as an emergency response fire vehicle.

    6.12. For purposes of this Rule, fire department apparatus that has been purchased used shall be exempt from having to meet the current NFPA 1901 Standard. This Rule shall be interpreted based on the Standard(s) that were in effect at the time the apparatus was new and not the date that it was acquired by the fire department: Provided, That the equipment meets the standards of 6.10. of this rule; and

    By renumbering the remaining subsection, previously numbered ‘6.12.’ as ‘6.13.’; and

    On page nine, section §87-8-8 Penalty, after the words ‘Rules §87-6-1 et seq’ by striking out the period and inserting in lieu thereof the following proviso: ‘: Provided, That the Commission shall grant, if a department applies for, a 180 day period of correction, which may be extended upon good cause shown. During the period of correction, the Fire Commission shall assist that fire department to correct deficiencies noted, facilitating training through West Virginia University or the West Virginia Department of Education, and in working with other involved parties, e.g. county commissions, municipal governments or county fire boards.’”