§ 23-28.2-23 - Fire education and training coordinating board. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 23-28.2-23

   § 23-28.2-23  Fire education and trainingcoordinating board. – (a) There is hereby created within the division of fire safety a fire educationand training coordinating board comprised of thirteen (13) members appointed bythe governor with the advice and consent of the senate. In making saidappointments, the governor shall give due consideration to including in theboard's membership representatives of the following groups:

   (1) Chiefs of fire departments with predominately fully paidpersonnel, defined as departments in which the vast majority of members arefull-time, salaried personnel.

   (2) Chiefs of fire departments with part paid/combinationpersonnel, defined as departments in which members consist of both full-timesalaried personnel and a large percentage of volunteer or call personnel.

   (3) Chiefs of fire departments with predominately volunteerpersonnel, defined as departments in which the vast majority of members respondvoluntarily and receive little or no compensation.

   (4) Rhode Island firefighters' instructor's association.

   (5) Rhode Island department of environmental management.

   (6) Rhode Island fire safety association.

   (7) Rhode Island state firefighter's league.

   (8) Rhode Island association of firefighters.

   (9) Regional firefighters leagues.

   (b) The state fire marshal and the chief of training andeducation shall serve as ex-officio members.

   (c) Members of the board as of the effective date of this act[March 29, 2006] shall continue to serve for the balance of theircurrent terms. Thereafter, members shall be appointed to three (3) year terms.No person shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms, except that serviceon the board for a term of less than two (2) years resulting from an initialappointment or an appointment for the remainder of an unexpired term shall notconstitute a full term.

   (d) Members shall hold office until a successor is appointed,and no member shall serve beyond the time he or she ceases to hold office oremployment by reason of which he or she was eligible for appointment.

   (e) All gubernatorial appointments made after the effectivedate of this act [March 29, 2006] shall be subject to the advice andconsent of the senate. No person shall be eligible for appointment to the boardafter the effective date of this act [March 29, 2006] unless he orshe is a resident of this state.

   (f) Members shall serve without compensation, but shallreceive travel expenses in the same amount per mile approved for stateemployees.

   (g) The board shall meet at the call of the chairperson orupon written petition of a majority of the members, but not less than six (6)times per year.

   (h) Staff support to the board will be provided by the statefire marshal.

   (i) The board shall:

   (1) Establish bylaws to govern operational procedures notaddressed by legislation.

   (2) Elect a chairperson and vice-chairperson of the board inaccordance with bylaws to be established by the board.

   (3) Develop and offer training programs for fire fighters andfire officers based on applicable NFPA standards used to produce training andeducation courses.

   (4) Develop and offer state certification programs forinstructors based on NFPA standards.

   (5) Monitor and evaluate all programs to determine theireffectiveness.

   (6) Establish a fee structure in an amount necessary to covercosts of implementing the programs.

   (7) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscalyear, approve and submit an annual report to the governor, the speaker of thehouse of representatives, the president of the senate, and the secretary ofstate of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: anoperating statement summarizing meetings or hearing held, including meetingminutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, rules or regulationspromulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved ormodified and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financialstatement of all funds received and expended including the source of the funds,a listing of any staff supported by these funds, and a summary of any clerical,administrative or technical support received; a summary of performance duringthe previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies;a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters relatedto the authority of the council; a summary of any training courses heldpursuant to the provisions of this section; a briefing on anticipatedactivities in the upcoming fiscal year and findings and recommendations forimprovements. The report shall be posted electronically on the general assemblyand secretary of state's websites as prescribed in § 42-20-8.2. Thedirector of the department of administration shall be responsible for theenforcement of the provisions of this subsection.

   (8) Conduct a training course for newly appointed andqualified members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation.The course shall be developed by the chair of the board, approved by the board,and conducted by the chair of the board. The board may approve the use of anyboard or staff members or other individuals to assist with training. Thetraining course shall include instruction in the following areas: theprovisions of chapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2; and the commission's rules andregulations. The state fire marshal shall, within ninety (90) days of March 29,2006, prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions ofchapters 42-46, 36-14, and 38-2.

   (j) In an effort to prevent potential conflicts of interest,any fire education and training coordinating board member shall notsimultaneously serve as a paid instructor and/or administrator within the fireeducation and training unit.

   (k) A quorum for conducting all business before the board,shall be at least seven (7) members.

   (l) Members of the board shall be removable by the governorpursuant to the provisions of § 36-1-7 of the general laws and for causeonly, and removal solely for partisan or personal reasons unrelated to capacityor fitness for the office shall be unlawful.