§ 3153. Powers and duties

(a) The Council shall:

(1) Establish by rules adopted pursuant to 3 Vt. Stat. Ann. chapter 25:

(A) Minimum basic training courses for full-time firefighters and minimum basic training courses that shall be made available, on a voluntary basis, to other firefighters. Courses for persons who are not full-time firefighters shall be reasonable in terms of length, cost, location, and availability in light of the rural nature of the State and the high percentage of volunteer participation in fire service. They shall incorporate any distinct or limited functions performed by such firefighters.

(B) Standards for approval of fire service training courses, certification of instructors, and the grounds for revocation of approval or certification.

(C) Training requirements for certification and recertification of firefighters.

(D) Standards for recertification of firefighters who have not maintained their certification.

(E) Standards relating to waivers of the training requirements of section 3155 of this title.

(2) Encourage local governmental units to participate in the training programs established under this chapter and aid in the establishment of adequate training facilities.

(3) Serve as the lead agency for hazardous chemical or substance incident training provided to fire service personnel statewide. All State agencies providing such training to fire service personnel shall coordinate the training with the Vermont Fire Service Training Council.

(b) The Council may:

(1) subject to the provisions of 32 V.S.A. § 5, accept contributions, capital grants, gifts, services, and funds from any source;

(2) sell hats, shirts, and other memorabilia. Proceeds from these sales shall be retained by the Council to support the purposes of this chapter; and

(3) perform such acts as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this chapter. (Added 1987, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; amended 1993, No. 194 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. June 14, 1994; 1995, No. 63, § 73, eff. May 4, 1995; 1997, No. 74 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 1999, No. 49, § 195; 2007, No. 8, § 2.)