Committee approves firefighting rules but members challenge removal of CPR requirement from incentive criteria

Mike Bell, assistant commissioner for the Division of Fire Prevention and Commerce & Insurance, presented a rewrite of firefighting rules intended to align training and certification standards with modern practice and to broaden access to the educational incentive pay program for volunteer firefighters. Heather Zimmerman, executive director of the Firefighting Commission, told the committee the CPR requirement was removed from the incentive‑pay criteria because some volunteer departments and volunteers face difficulty acquiring the certification; the commission wanted to reduce obstacles that prevent participation in the 30‑hour training program.

Several members challenged that change. Representative Parkinson (a retired firefighter and former CPR instructor) and others said CPR is a core life‑saving skill and that removing a CPR certification requirement from the incentive pay qualification risks reducing emergency‑medical readiness in rural areas where volunteers make up the majority of firefighters. The department and supporters argued the change only affects the criteria for receiving the state incentive payment and does not alter standard operating procedures for local departments, many of which still require CPR training.

Committee members asked the department to consider partnering with local hospitals or health providers to increase local CPR training availability and to revisit the decision; department staff said they would continue conversations with stakeholders. The committee moved the package with a positive recommendation in both chambers.