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Fire-service groups back SB 1240 to add representation on codes and standards committee
Summary
Fire marshals and chiefs told the committee SB 1240 will rebalance the Codes and Standards Committee to give the fire service more input on life-safety and fire-code decisions. Witnesses suggested adding an extra fire-chiefs seat for an odd-numbered membership.
Fire-service leaders told the Public Safety Committee they support Senate Bill 1240, which would add additional fire-service representation to the state Codes and Standards Committee that promulgates building and fire codes.
Greg Priest (vice chair, Joint Council of Connecticut Fire Service Associations) and Walter Summers (co-legislative aide and South Windsor fire marshal) argued the committee is currently weighted toward construction and design professionals and that more fire-service voices will help ensure practical life-safety considerations — including fire-department access and evacuation concerns — are reflected in code-making.
Summers proposed a friendly amendment to add a Fire Chiefs Association seat to bring the committee to an odd number for votes. Committee members asked whether the change would unbalance the committee toward fire-safety perspectives; Summers and Priest said the proposed changes would still leave the construction side numerically dominant but improve comparative weight for fire safety.
Lawmakers asked staff to circulate the bill language and consider the suggested adjustments to membership numbers before reporting.
