§ 7-323o — *(See end of section for amended version and effective date.) State Fire Administrator, appointment and duties.

There is established the position of State Fire Administrator who shall be recommended by the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and appointed by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection and who shall: (1) Carry out the requirements of section 7-323n; (2) administer federal funds and grants allocated to the fire services of the state; (3) provide technical assistance and guidance to fire fighting forces of any state or municipal agency; (4) develop a centralized information and audiovisual library regarding fire prevention and control; (5) accumulate, disseminate and analyze fire prevention data; (6) recommend specifications of fire service materials and equipment and assist in the purchasing thereof; (7) assist in mutual aid coordination; (8) coordinate fire programs with those of the other states; (9) assist in communications coordination; (10) establish and maintain a fire service information program; and (11) review the purchase of fire apparatus or equipment at state institutions, facilities and properties and, on and after July 1, 1985, coordinate the training and education of fire service personnel at such institutions, facilities and properties. The provisions of this section shall not be construed to apply to forest fire prevention and control programs administered by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection pursuant to sections 23-33 to 23-57, inclusive. *Note: On and after July 1, 2025, this section, as amended by section 5 of public act 24-136, is to read as follows: “Sec. 7-323o. State Fire Administrator, appointment. Duties of Division of Fire Services Administration. (a) There is established the position of State Fire Administrator. Prior to July 1, 2025, the State Fire Administrator shall be recommended by the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and be appointed by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection. Upon a vacancy in the position of State Fire Administrator occurring on or after July 1, 2025, the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control may recommend candidates for the position of State Fire Administrator to the commissioner, and the commissioner shall appoint such State Fire Administrator, who shall be qualified for the position by at least five years of experience in the fire service. (b) The Division of Fire Services Administration shall: (1) Administer federal funds and grants allocated to the fire services of the state; (2) Provide technical assistance and guidance to fire fighting forces of any state or municipal agency; (3) Develop a centralized information and audiovisual library regarding fire prevention and control; (4) Accumulate, disseminate and analyze fire prevention data; (5) Recommend specifications of fire service materials and equipment and assist in the purchasing thereof; (6) Assist in mutual aid coordination; (7) Coordinate fire programs with those of the other states; (8) Assist in communications coordination; (9) Establish and maintain a fire service information program; (10) Review and approve the purchase of fire apparatus or equipment at state institutions, facilities and properties; (11) Recommend and provide reports on revisions to statutes relating to firefighter training and fire prevention and control; (12) Advise and assist the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control regarding legislative proposals; (13) Encourage the expansion and improvement of existing regional firefighter training facilities in cooperation with the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control; (14) Administer the state fire school and regional fire schools; (15) Administer certification examinations, testing procedures and reciprocity recognition for credentials in the fire service disciplines; (16) Manage the Statewide Fire Service Disaster Response Plan, with the advice of the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control; and (17) Make recommendations to the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection pertaining to the operational funding of the state fire school and regional fire schools. (c) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to apply to forest fire prevention and control programs administered by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection pursuant to sections 23-33 to 23-57, inclusive.”

Legislative History

(P.A. 75-617, S. 6, 8; P.A. 80-169, S. 3; P.A. 84-357, S. 2; P.A. 86-97, S. 1; P.A. 11-61, S. 81; 11-80, S. 1.) (P.A. 75-617, S. 6, 8; P.A. 80-169, S. 3; P.A. 84-357, S. 2; P.A. 86-97, S. 1; P.A. 11-61, S. 81; 11-80, S. 1; P.A. 24-136, S. 5.) History: P.A. 80-169 included fire control information as subject of concern for centralized library; P.A. 84-357 added Subdiv. (k), expanding the duties of administrator re fire equipment and personnel at state institutions, facilities and properties; P.A. 86-97 added provision clarifying the authority of the commissioner of environmental protection and substituted numeric Subdiv. indicators for alphabetic Subdiv. indicators; P.A. 11-61 required State Fire Administrator to be recommended by Commission on Fire Prevention and Control and appointed by Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, changed “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection” and made a technical change, effective July 1, 2011; P.A. 24-136 substantially revised section, effective July 1, 2025.