Pennsylvania § 7383 - State Fire Commissioner.

§ 7383. State Fire Commissioner.

(a) State Fire Commissioner.--There shall be a State Fire Commissioner, who shall report to the Governor on all matters concerning fire services in this Commonwealth. The Office of the State Fire Commissioner shall be within the agency for administrative purposes only, and the commissioner shall not report to the director of the agency. The commissioner shall have the power and duty to:

(1) Serve as the primary representative for fire services in this Commonwealth. The commissioner shall work with Federal agencies to ensure coordination at the State and local levels.

(2) Serve as chair of the board.

(3) Develop curriculum and provide and assist in the coordination of fire, rescue and emergency services training, including online training and issue certifications.

(4) Administer the State Fire Academy.

(5) Collect data, provide analysis and periodic reports and serve as a focal point for information relative to fires, property damage, injuries to the public and firefighters and the loss of life.

(6) Conduct after-action reports on significant incidents that involve firefighter deaths and significant injuries.

(7) Administer grant and loan programs for fire, ambulance and rescue organizations in accordance with this title or as otherwise provided by law, including assistance for firefighter relief associations, the Pennsylvania Fire and Emergency Medical Services Loan Program, fire and emergency medical services loan assistance, fire and emergency medical services grants and money received by the Office of State Fire Commissioner from the Unconventional Gas Well Fund.

(8) Assist with Statewide recruitment and retention efforts.

(9) Hire regional technical advisors to assist fire companies with grant and loan assistance, mergers, consolidation and regionalization and promote best practices for systems improvements.

(10) Promote public education and community risk reduction efforts.

(11) Administer a fire equipment distributor certification program as provided by law.

(b) Transfer.--(Deleted by amendment).

(c) Qualifications and appointment.--The commissioner shall be a person who, by reason of training, experience and attainment, is qualified to coordinate services. The commissioner shall have served as a chief officer or administrative officer in a municipal, combination or volunteer fire company. The commissioner shall be appointed by the Governor subject to the consent of a majority of the members elected to the Senate.

(d) Fireworks safety education.--Money transferred under 3 Pa.C.S. § 1113(a)(7) (relating to disposition of certain funds) shall be used by the commissioner for a public safety campaign on the precautions that should be taken when using fireworks. The commissioner may use up to $50,000 of the money transferred for administrative costs.

(Oct. 29, 2020, P.L.739, No.91; Nov. 3, 2022, P.L.1674, No.104, eff. imd.)

2022 Amendment. Act 104 added subsec. (d).

2020 Amendment. Act 91 amended the entire section, effective January 1, 2022, as to subsec. (c) and 60 days as to the remainder of the section.