Bill

Bill > A3281


NJ A3281

NJ A3281
Establishes certain marine firefighting training course requirements.


summary

Introduced
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2026-2027 Regular Session

Bill Summary

This bill requires the Division of Fire Safety in the Department of Community Affairs to adopt Coast Guard approved basic, advanced, and in-service marine firefighting training courses for land-based firefighters. Under the bill, all firefighters in the State, paid and volunteer, would be required to complete the basic and advanced training courses, and in-service training courses. The bill provides that recruit firefighter training programs would be required to include the basic marine firefighting training course. Under the bill, a firefighter who completed a recruit firefighting training program prior to the bill's effective date would be required to complete the basic marine firefighting training course within one year. The bill provides that all firefighters would be required to complete the advanced marine firefighting training course within two years of completing the basic marine firefighting training course. Thereafter, firefighters would be required to complete in-service training every two years. Additionally, the bill requires the division to adopt a Coast Guard approved training course for qualification as an instructor of marine firefighting for land-based firefighters. A firefighter who has completed the basic and advanced training courses and is in compliance with the in-service training requirement established in the bill, or who otherwise has been certified by the division, would be eligible for marine firefighting instruction training. Upon completion of the training or other certification by the division, the bill provides that a firefighter would be qualified to provide the basic, advanced, in-service, and instruction training courses.

AI Summary

This bill mandates that the Division of Fire Safety, part of the Department of Community Affairs, must establish and require all firefighters in the state, whether paid or volunteer, to complete basic, advanced, and ongoing "in-service" marine firefighting training courses that are approved by the U.S. Coast Guard. These courses are specifically designed for firefighters who primarily work on land but may need to respond to incidents involving vessels. The bill also specifies that recruit firefighter training programs must incorporate the basic marine firefighting course, and existing firefighters who completed their initial training before this law takes effect will have one year to complete the basic course. Furthermore, firefighters will have two years after finishing the basic course to complete the advanced training, and thereafter, they must undergo in-service training every two years to stay current. The bill also outlines a process for training and certifying instructors who can then teach these marine firefighting courses, requiring them to have completed the basic and advanced training themselves and be in good standing with ongoing requirements.

Committee Categories

Military Affairs and Security

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Public Safety and Preparedness Committee (on 01/13/2026)

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