Firefighter legislation becomes law | News

A new bill that was just signed into law aims at improving a training incentive for firefighters in the state.

Officials say House Bill 1835 changes the current firefighter training incentive to an earned performance-based training system.

“We’ve had terrible fire seasons and I cannot believe anyone would push for the removal of this critical training incentive,” said Rep. Mike Sanders. “The majority of towns and cities in Oklahoma are small rural communities that rely on rural fire departments. Eliminating some incentives is necessary and appropriate, but not when it affects public safety, I can’t fathom slashing such an important tool.”

The bill requires a volunteer to complete 12 initial credit hours toward the State Support or State Basic Firefighter, an equivalent or other training approved in order to receive the incentive.

The legislation also allows local fire chiefs the ability to approve volunteer firefighter training and requires volunteer firefighters to annually complete six hours of the State Support training.

Volunteers who have completed the courses must complete six hours of Intermediate or Advance Firefighter to be eligible for the incentive.