Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 20 - PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE (§§ 20-2-101 — 20-86-113) › Subtitle 2 - HEALTH AND SAFETY (§§ 20-6-101 — 20-38-113) › Chapter 22 - FIRE PREVENTION, PROTECTION, AND SAFETY (§§ 20-22-101 — 20-22-1016) › Subchapter 8 - FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES (§§ 20-22-801 — 20-22-811) › Section 20-22-804 - Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board - Duties and powers

(a)
The Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board shall:
(1)
(A)
Prescribe by rule minimum standards for the certification of fire departments and standards for the classification of fire departments as to their level of service, including, but not limited to, standards for training levels for firefighters of fire departments, minimum levels of equipment, and minimum performance standards.
(B)
A fire department shall be certified when it meets the minimum standards, training, and equipment set forth for each classification;
(2)
Establish a system of identification for firefighters of certified fire departments for the purpose of assisting firefighters to carry out their duties;
(3)
Assist fire departments with training programs and assist with the establishment and upgrading of fire departments;
(4)
Promote the exchange of information among fire departments and state agencies;
(5)
Serve in a governing capacity with the Director of the Division of Emergency Management with respect to the:
(i)
Operation of fire services; and
(ii)
Matters concerning certification and standards related to fire services in the state;
(6)
Periodically review and evaluate current and proposed national and international activities related to the improvement and upgrading of fire services to ensure that the state maintains acceptable standards of fire protection for its citizens and standards for training its firefighters;
(7)
Provide oversight for the Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy in matters related to the:
(i)
Training and certification of fire services personnel in Arkansas; and
(ii)
Curriculum and instructional content of the curriculum offered by the Arkansas Fire Training Academy;
(8)
(A)
Advise the President of Southern Arkansas University in matters regarding the appointment and retention of the Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy, including without limitation:
(i)
Reviewing the applications for the position of Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy submitted to the president; and
(ii)
Ranking the candidates for the position in a descending order for the president.
(B)
The president shall appoint the Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy from the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board's top three (3) recommended candidates;
(9)
(A)
Advise the president in the creation and maintenance of the job description of the Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy.
(B)
The job description for the Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy shall define the Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy's:
(i)
Job duties and directions; and
(ii)
Expectations;
(10)
Establish other reasonable rules as may be necessary for the purposes of this subchapter;
(11)
(A)
Advise the Director of the Division of Emergency Management in matters regarding the employment and retention of the Coordinator of the Office of Fire Protection Services including without limitation:
(i)
Reviewing the applications for the Coordinator of the Office of Fire Protection Services and submitted to the Division of Emergency Management; and
(ii)
Ranking the candidates for Coordinator of the Office of Fire Protection Services in a descending order for the Director of the Division of Emergency Management.
(B)
(i)
The Director of the Division of Emergency Management shall employ the Coordinator of Fire Protection Services from the top three (3) recommended candidates; and
(ii)
If a candidate removes his or her application from consideration, the rank of the candidates shall be adjusted to fill that numerical rank to ensure the Director of the Division of Emergency Management considers the top three (3) remaining recommended candidates;
(12)
(A)
Advise the Director of the Division of Emergency Management in the creation and maintenance of the job description for the Coordinator of the Office of Fire Protection Services.
(B)
The job description for the Coordinator of the Office of Fire Protection Services shall define the Coordinator of the Office of Fire Protection Services':
(i)
Job duties and directions; and
(ii)
Expectations;
(13)
(A)
Advise the Director of the Division of Emergency Management in matters regarding the employment and retention of the State Fire Marshal, including without limitation:
(i)
Reviewing the applications for the State Fire Marshal and submitted to the Division of Emergency Management; and
(ii)
Ranking the candidates for State Fire Marshal in a descending order for the Director of the Division of Emergency Management.
(B)
The Director of the Division of Emergency Management shall employ the State Fire Marshal from the top three (3) recommended candidates;
(14)
(A)
Advise the Director of the Division of Emergency Management in the creation and maintenance of the job description for the State Fire Marshal.
(B)
The job description for the State Fire Marshal shall define the State Fire Marshal's:
(i)
Job duties and directions; and
(ii)
Expectations;
(15)
Provide oversight for the Director of the Division of Emergency Management for the Office of Fire Protection Services;
(16)
(A)
Provide guidance to fire departments concerning compliance with rules or orders of the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board.
(B)
The Office of Fire Protection Services shall be responsible for oversight of the fire coordinators of each county to ensure the information, guidance, rules, and orders of the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board are complied with by the fire departments;
(17)
Adopt rules to create the form and allowable rates for insurance reimbursement;
(18)
Develop a Uniform Fire Department Insurance Reimbursement Billing Form; and
(19)
Develop the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Grant Program.
(b)
The Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
(1)
Develop a plan for statewide fire prevention, including plans for urban and rural fire prevention;
(2)
Develop and maintain a fire prevention database upon which decisions concerning fire prevention and policy may intelligently be made;
(3)
Identify state needs relative to fire prevention, including specific needs of urban and rural areas;
(4)
Recommend actions to meet identified state needs relative to fire prevention;
(5)
Monitor and review the effectiveness of existing and proposed fire prevention programs;
(6)
Maintain an awareness of fire prevention research and development of importance to the state to promote information exchange and coordination of efforts;
(7)
Recommend legislative and executive action to encourage development of fire prevention resources and the efficient utilization of the resources;
(8)
Administer a public fire prevention awareness program to inform the public of the importance and methods of fire prevention;
(9)
Advise the General Assembly, the Governor, the State Fire Marshal, the Arkansas Forestry Commission, the Director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy, the Director of the Division of Arkansas State Police, and the Insurance Commissioner on fire prevention and program matters of importance to each;
(10)
Advise on the delegation of responsibilities to state agencies responsible for fire prevention and policy and recommend resolution of conflicts between the various agencies on fire prevention matters;
(11)
Develop an annual report on the activities of the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board and transmit the report to the Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and the General Assembly on or before November 30 annually;
(12)
Coordinate activities with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and any other federal or state agencies involved with fire prevention matters; and
(13)
Establish, maintain, and update a list of all the following in the state:
(A)
Volunteer fire fighters; and
(B)
Professional fire fighters.
(c)
(1)
The Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board may revoke the certification of any firefighter who has been convicted of a felony under §
17-3-102
.
(2)
Before the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board revokes the certification of a firefighter under this subsection, the firefighter may request a hearing in accordance with the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, §
25-15-201
et seq.
(3)
If the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board revokes the firefighter's certification under this subsection, the firefighter may appeal the Arkansas Fire Protection Services Board's decision to the Pulaski County Circuit Court in accordance with the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, §
25-15-201
et seq.
(4)
The Arkansas Fire Training Academy shall be the custodian of all records on the decertification of firefighters under this subsection.
Amended by Act 2023, No. 841,§ 41, eff. 7/1/2023.
Amended by Act 2021, No. 1094,§ 1, eff. 7/28/2021.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 2044, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 315,§ 2043, eff. 7/24/2019.
Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 6021, eff. 7/1/2019.
Amended by Act 2013, No. 1091,§ 1, eff. 8/16/2013.
Acts 1987, No. 837, § 3; 1993, No. 280, § 1; 1999, No. 646, § 58; 2003, No. 1459, § 3.