5. a. The State fire coordinator shall appoint a county fire coordinator in each county, pursuant to the provisions of this section, and the county fire coordinator shall appoint at least one deputy county fire coordinator in each county, in accordance with the provisions of this section. More than one deputy county fire coordinator may be appointed in each county.

(1) The State fire coordinator shall determine the duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary for the positions of county fire coordinator and deputy county fire coordinator. The duties and responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) fire service resources management and coordination;

(b) preparation of the county Emergency Operations Plan Fire Annex in conjunction with the county emergency management coordinator and in accordance with the standards established by the State Office of Emergency Management;

(c) county fire mutual aid planning, as set forth in subsection c. of this section; and

(d) continuing training and education requirements.

(2) The county emergency management coordinator in each county shall, in consultation with the fire chiefs of the units of the fire service within each county, submit the name of at least one candidate to the State fire coordinator for consideration as the county fire coordinator. Each candidate shall possess a minimum of seven years of documented fire service experience to be eligible for appointment as the county fire coordinator. The State fire coordinator shall appoint the county fire coordinator from the list of eligible candidates submitted by the county emergency management coordinator. Each county fire coordinator shall serve for a two-year term and until his or her successor is appointed. Vacancies shall be filed in the same manner as the original appointment.

(3) The county fire coordinator in each county shall, in consultation with the fire chiefs of the units of the fire service within each county, appoint the deputy county fire coordinator or coordinators. Each candidate shall possess a minimum of four years of documented fire service experience to be eligible for appointment as a deputy county fire coordinator. Each deputy county fire coordinator shall serve for a two-year term, which shall be served concurrently with the term of the county fire coordinator appointed in that county. Vacancies shall be filed for the unexpired term only and in the same manner as the original appointment.

b. The county fire coordinator shall implement the county’s fire mutual aid plan, coordinate the utilization of fire service resources with the county in response to emergency incidents which require implementation of the county’s fire mutual aid plan and perform such other duties as may be necessary and appropriate to effectuate the purposes of this act.

c. Each county in this State shall prepare and adopt a county fire mutual aid plan. The plan shall set forth policies and procedures to coordinate the effective utilization of fire service resources in those instances where the implementation of the county fire mutual aid plan is determined to be necessary or appropriate. Each county fire mutual aid plan shall be based upon the planning criteria, objectives, requirements, responsibilities and concepts of operation essential for the implementation of all necessary and appropriate protective or remedial measures to be taken in response to emergency incidents. Each county fire mutual aid plan shall be adopted no later than one year after the effective date of this act. Following adoption, each county shall file a copy of its county fire mutual aid plan with the State fire coordinator. Each county fire mutual aid plan shall be reviewed and updated every two years.

d. Each unit of the fire service in the county shall participate in the county fire mutual aid plan and shall submit every two years to its county fire coordinator the following information:

(1) A complete inventory of personnel and equipment;

(2) A local fire mutual aid plan prepared and updated pursuant to section 4 of this act; and

(3) A listing of fire companies and departments involved in the local fire mutual aid plan.

L.2003,c.28,s.5.