Bill > S2614

This bill establishes the Commonwealth Technical Rescue Regions and Coordinating Council. The key provisions are: 1. The Secretary of Public Safety and Security, in consultation with the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts and the Fire Chiefs' Association of Massachusetts, will divide the state into technical rescue regions to organize and coordinate technical rescue services, equipment, and training. 2. A Technical Rescue Coordinating Council will be created within the Department of Fire Services to provide overall coordination of the technical rescue regions. The Council will develop standards, rules, and procedures for the technical rescue services program and assist in the coordination of all persons and agencies involved. 3. The Council will establish cost recovery mechanisms for technical rescue services, with certain exceptions for residents of the Commonwealth whose conduct was not commercial or unlawful/reckless. 4. A Technical Rescue Services Fund will be created, administered by the Council, to fund the maintenance and operation of the technical rescue regions, the provision of services and equipment, and training for regional technical rescue personnel. 5. The initial division of the Commonwealth into 5 technical rescue regions will be done by the Secretary of Public Safety and Security and the State Fire Marshal, in consultation with the stakeholder groups. 6. The bill will take effect on December 1, 2018.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S2614