Committee backs bill to allow decertification of bad-actor firefighters

Representative Craig Christiansen presented House Bill 19-10 to give the Fire Protection Services Board authority to decertify firefighters who become 'bad actors' — including persons convicted of certain serious offenses — and to permit the board to set rules and waivers related to certification and felonies in the fire service.

Christiansen, speaking from fire-service experience, said the bill addresses a longstanding gap: previously there was no administrative pathway to strip certification from an individual whose conduct makes them unfit for service. The sponsor said the measure applies to both full-time and volunteer firefighters and would allow the board discretion to consider waivers for people who have rehabilitated.

Committee members asked whether the measure covers volunteers and which offenses would trigger decertification; the sponsor cited current Arkansas statutory references and said the board would have latitude to act. No public opposition was recorded, and the committee passed the bill by voice vote.