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The Florida Senate

CS/CS/HB 465 — Firefighters

by Government Accountability Committee; Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee; and Rep. Raburn and others (CS/SB 1084 by Banking and Insurance Committee and Senators Stargel and Artiles)

This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.

Prepared by: Banking and Insurance Committee (BI)

The bill creates a Lifetime Firefighter designation for firefighters and volunteer firefighters. Specifically, the bill:

  • Provides that a firefighter or volunteer firefighter who has been employed by a fire service provider, is recorded on the fire service provider’s roster in the division’s electronic database, or who was previously certified as a firefighter or volunteer firefighter may apply for the designation if the individual has at least 20 years of service and is in good standing with his or her most recent fire service provider and has not been convicted of a felony or had another type of disqualifying event;
  • Allows a firefighter or volunteer firefighter to have his or her Certificate of Compliance or Certificate of Completion placed in the Lifetime Firefighter designation at the time the person is required to renew the Certificate of Compliance or Completion;
  • Requires the division to issue the Lifetime Firefighter designation in its online electronic database after a firefighter’s 4-year period;
  • Specifies that if a firefighter’s Firefighter Certificate of Completion or Volunteer Firefighter Certificate of Completion is current upon the approval of a Lifetime Firefighter designation, and he or she applies to renew the certification within the first 4 years after the date of approval, he or she must successfully complete the Minimum Standards Course examination for firefighters and the requisite course examinations for volunteer firefighters;
  • Provides that if the Firefighter Certificate of Completion or Volunteer Firefighter Certificate of Completion has expired upon the Lifetime Firefighter designation, and he or she wants to perform firefighting services, the person must complete the Minimum Standards Course examination for firefighters and the requisite course examinations for volunteer firefighters;
  • Requires the Lifetime Firefighter designation to be revoked for certain reasons and authorizes the division to investigate and take necessary actions; and
  • Authorizes the Division of the State Fire Marshal to adopt rules.

If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2017.

Vote: Senate 38-0; House 118-0