Bill > H2085

This bill establishes a new grant program for firefighters, managed by the Executive Office of Public Safety in consultation with the State Fire Marshal and firefighter associations, to help local fire departments acquire vital emergency equipment and new technologies. Each year, by February 1st, a list of recommended equipment and technologies, along with their value and recommended quantities based on department size and population served, will be finalized and distributed to fire chiefs and their local labor representatives. Fire chiefs and labor organizations will then audit their departments to identify any deficiencies in recommended equipment or lack of suggested technologies, reporting these findings by March 15th. The Secretary of Public Safety will then calculate the costs to address these deficiencies and purchase suggested equipment, submitting these figures by April 7th to the legislative committees on ways and means with a recommendation for an appropriation in the annual budget to fund these upgrades. Finally, subject to available funding, the Secretary will award targeted grants to local fire departments to improve their response and safety equipment, with at least half of the appropriated funds specifically designated for departments serving populations under 50,000 residents.