Bill > H3484

This bill establishes a system of "technical rescue regions" across the Commonwealth to improve the coordination of specialized emergency rescue services, such as those needed for collapsed structures or confined space incidents. The Secretary of Public Safety and the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with fire chiefs, will create these regions, which will be responsible for organizing training, acquiring equipment, and managing funds for technical rescue operations. A "Technical Rescue Coordinating Council" will be established within the Department of Fire Services to oversee these regions, develop uniform standards and procedures, and manage cost recovery for certain services, though not if the incident involved a resident, was not commercial, and was not caused by unlawful or reckless behavior. The council will also collect and distribute funds, including those from federal, state, and private sources, and from companies requiring standby rescue teams for compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. The council will be composed of various state officials, fire service representatives, and chiefs from the technical rescue regions, and will be responsible for reporting annually on its financial activities. A dedicated "Technical Rescue Services Fund" will be created to hold and disburse these monies for the benefit of the regions and their member fire departments.