HB 2140 -- Fire Protection

Co-Sponsors:  Berkowitz, Kreider

This bill establishes the Missouri Fire Safety Commission within
the Department of Conservation.  The bill outlines the
membership, appointment, qualifications, compensation, and terms
of office of the commission.  The commission is required to hire
not more than five safety consultants who must work with fire
departments to improve fire protection.  The consultants will
work within regions geographically dispersed throughout the
state.  The consultants must assist in the implementation of
master fire plans; insurance services office (ISO) rating
reduction; increased capacity for first responder and rescue
activities; water source development; training and record
keeping; incident response documentation; field liaisons with the
State Fire Marshal's Office; and coordination of local, private,
state, and federal grant making.

The bill also establishes the Fire Safety Fund for purposes
authorized by the commission.  The fund will receive money from
grants for homeland security purposes which are transferred from
the federal grant program fund.  No more than 60% of the moneys
in the Fire Safety Fund will be used for fire departments serving
an area having a population of less than 10,000, and no more than
40% will be used to provide funds to fire departments serving an
area having a population of more that 10,000.  The bill outlines
specific uses of the fund, including awarding of grants for the
purchase of equipment, training of personnel, and other fire
station costs.

The commission must establish rules and regulations necessary for
the consideration, implementation, and processing of grant
requests.  The bill outlines specific criteria for the grant
application process.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:03 am