HB 304 Expands Membership and Ensures Equal Representation, Voices

(Juneau) – The Alaska House of Representatives Tuesday unanimously passed a bill ensuring appropriate representation on the Alaska Fire Standards Council. The Council is currently made up of 11 members, 10 of which are appointed by the governor.

House Bill 304, sponsored by House Rules Chair Craig Johnson, makes three changes to the membership of the Council. The bill designates an existing seat to a member of the Alaska Professional Fire Fighters Association; adds a seat for a member of the Alaska Fire Chiefs Association; and, reclassifies an existing seat from a “Firefighter Administrative Officer” to a “member of” the Alaska State Firefighters Association.

Under the legislation the governor appoints one member of each of the associations to the Council from a list of three nominees submitted by each association.

“It’s critical that firefighters who know the job and do the job everyday are actively involved in setting training standards for fellow firefighters and professionals,” Johnson, R-Anchorage, said. “To have representation from these three professional associations on the Alaska Fire Standards Council will help improve the safety of our firefighters and our citizens.”

The mission of the Alaska Fire Standards Council is to establish professional standards for fire service personnel and curriculum requirements for the certification of training programs.

HB 304 now moves to the Alaska Senate for consideration.