DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 92 Original 2015 Regular Session Tim Burns
Abstract: Provides relative to the position of chief of training and safety for St. Tammany Fire
Protection District No. 4.
Present constitution creates a fire and police civil service system applicable to municipalities of over
13,000 in population and parishes and fire protection districts. Provides that the system is subject
to Art. XIV, ยง15.1 of the 1921 constitution made statutory by the 1974 constitution.
Present law creates and provides for two fire and police civil service systems: (1) one applicable to
any municipality which operates paid police and fire departments and which has a population of not
fewer than 13,000 persons; and (2) one applicable to any parish, fire protection district, or
municipality with a population of fewer than 13,000, but not fewer than 7,000 persons.
In both systems there are promotional and competitive positions; generally promotions are given
based on seniority, but appointing authorities have more discretion in filling competitive positions.
Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law authorizes the governing authority of St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 4 to
create the position of chief of training and safety. Provides that the position shall be filled on a
competitive basis from a list of eligibles as provided for in present law. Further requires that the right
of selection, appointment, supervision, and discharge for such position be vested in the fire chief,
subject to approval of the district's governing authority.
Proposed law provides that the chief of training and safety shall have not less than 10 years of full-
time fire service experience.
Proposed law provides that a person who holds the position of chief of training and safety may apply
for a promotional examination, but he is eligible for promotion only upon demotion to a position of
the class from which he was appointed as chief of training and safety.
Proposed law provides that a person who is appointed from a position in the classified fire service
to serve as chief of training and safety of fire department shall not forfeit his seniority and shall
continue to accumulate seniority during the time he holds the position of chief of training and safety.
Proposed law provides that if a chief of training and safety is subjected to corrective or disciplinary
action, he shall have the same rights as any other employee in the municipal fire and police civil service.
(Adds R.S. 33:2541.4)