Researcher: MGS Page 1 4/6/21
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 5666
AN ACT CONCERNING GRANTS TO DISTRESSED
MUNICIPALITIES FOR THE TRAINING OF VOLUNTEER
FIREFIGHTERS.
SUMMARY
This bill requires the state fire administrator to award a grant
beginning in FY 22, and each year after, to any distressed municipality
with a volunteer fire department to cover the cost of providing
Firefighter I certification and recruit training at regional fire schools.
The grant amount must equal the product of the (1) average number of
enrolled volunteer firefighters in the distressed municipality and (2)
average cost of the certification and training program at a regional fire
school. (Presumably, the average cost is for the preceding four years,
as discussed below.) The bill appropriates $70,000 per year from the
General Fund, in FYs 22 and 23, to the state fire administrator for the
grants.
Additionally, the bill imposes two reporting requirements relating
to the grant. First, it requires each distressed municipality’s volunteer
fire department chief to report to the state fire administrator by
January 1, 2022, and each year after, on the yearly average number of
volunteer firefighters who enrolled in Firefighter I certification and
recruit training based on the preceding four years, excluding 2020.
Second, it requires the state fire administrator to report to the
Appropriations Committee, by February 1, 2022, and each year after,
on the annual reports of enrolled firefighters submitted by the chiefs
and the average certification and training program cost at a regional
fire school.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2021
COMMITTEE ACTION 2021HB-05666-R000257-BA.DOCX
Researcher: MGS Page 2 4/6/21
Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 21 Nay 1 (03/18/2021)