PLEASE NOTE: Legislative Information cannot perform research, provide legal advice, or interpret Maine law. For legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.
An Act To Provide for Tiered Qualifications for Volunteer Firefighters in Certain Municipalities
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1.  26 MRSA §2102, sub-§3  is enacted to read:
 
3.  Municipalities of fewer than 2,500 permanent residents.     The fire chief of a fire department in a municipality with fewer than 2,500 permanent residents, with the approval of the municipal officers of that municipality, may approve training for volunteer firefighters in accordance with Title 30-A, section 3154, subsection 4.
Sec. 2.  30-A MRSA §3154, sub-§4  is enacted to read:
 
4.  Tiers of volunteer firefighters.     In a municipality with fewer than 2,500 permanent residents, the fire chief, with the approval of the municipal officers of that municipality, may approve training for volunteer firefighters that provides for 3 tiers of qualifications based on the requirements of Title 26, chapter 28. At the highest tier, the municipality must have at least 3 firefighters who meet the highest level training requirement. At the middle tier, the municipality must have firefighters trained to a middle level and who are qualified to perform all firefighter services except for entry into a burning building. At the lowest tier, the municipality must have firefighters trained to a basic level and who are qualified to perform basic firefighter duties including, but not limited to, handling fire hoses, trucks and equipment.
 
SUMMARY
This bill provides that in a municipality with fewer than 2,500 permanent residents the fire chief, with the approval of the municipal officers of that municipality, may approve training for volunteer firefighters that provides for 3 tiers of qualifications as follows:
1. At the highest tier 3 firefighters;
2. At the middle tier firefighters who are trained and who are qualified to perform all firefighter services except for entry into a burning building; and
3. At the lowest tier firefighters who are trained and who are qualified to perform basic firefighter duties including, but not limited to, handling fire hoses, trucks and equipment.