SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2334        FILED ON: 3/15/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2396

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to firefighter protection.

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PETITION OF:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2334        FILED ON: 3/15/2019

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 2396

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-First General Court
(2019-2020)

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An Act relative to firefighter protection.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

“Outside Agencies” refers to any company specializing in fire equipment licensed to do business in the Commonwealth.

Fire equipment shall be inspected by outside agencies licensed to do business in the Commonwealth. All agencies shall be required to register with the Department of Fire Services as to maintain a database of contractors to utilize. All firefighters should also be trained in inspecting this equipment and acting appropriately as needed should no agency be available. Results of each inspection must be filed with the Fire Marshal upon completion.

Quarterly inspections shall be performed by said licensed agencies. All equipment must be checked in every inspection. Equipment includes but is not limited to, radios, oxygen tanks, hoses, nozzles, clothing. Each item must be inspected thoroughly to ensure the safe and effective operation of the department.

Any firefighter who finds an issue while on a call must report the issue to their captain or the chief immediately. It will be the sole responsibility of the fire chief or captain to organize the repairs and if needed, replacement of the damaged equipment. Issues arising from any equipment failures or possible failures take precedence over local issues when it comes time for budgeting at both the state and local level. All equipment must be replaced as soon as the time calls for it, not taken out of service.

Failure to abide by these rules will result in any disciplinary action that the Fire Marshal deems necessary and appropriate for the severity of the incident. All chiefs and commanding officers shall be briefed on any rule changes and all rules of inspection shall be made public to anyone who requests them.