SB315 Alabama 2016 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Gerald H. AllenSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2016

Title

Volunteer fire depts., certification by Forestry Commission, minimum standards for equipment, decertification authorized, rules re certification and decertification authorized, Sec. 9-3-17am'd.

Summary

SB315 would tighten and standardize certification of Alabama volunteer fire departments, authorize decertification, and let the Forestry Commission adopt rules for certification and decertification.

What This Bill Does

It specifies minimum standards for volunteer fire departments, including organization, response, coverage area, personnel training, and monthly reporting. It sets equipment and staffing requirements (such as tanker capacity, hoses, ladders, and safety gear) and requires alerting and communication systems and housing/training space. It designates the Alabama Forestry Commission as the certifying authority and lets it decertify departments that no longer meet requirements, with rulemaking to implement certification and decertification procedures. It creates a review pathway for noncooperating departments through the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments to make certification recommendations.

Who It Affects

• Volunteer fire departments that must meet minimum standards and may be decertified if they fail to meet them; departments must be organized as nonprofit or municipal authorities, maintain unsalaried staffing, and provide ongoing reports and equipment.
• The Alabama Forestry Commission as the state agency responsible for certifying and decertifying volunteer fire departments and for adopting related certification and decertification rules.

Key Provisions

• Defines minimum standards for volunteer fire departments, including organization, response, coverage area, training, and monthly reporting.
• Requires at least 80% unsalaried membership and specifies minimum equipment and apparatus (tanker, hoses, ladders, hand tools, extinguishers, and safety gear).
• Requires alerting systems and reliable two-way communications, plus housing/training space for equipment.
• Authorizes the Alabama Forestry Commission to certify departments that meet the standards and to decertify those that do not, and to adopt rules for certification and decertification procedures.
• Establishes a review process for noncooperating departments via the Alabama Association of Volunteer Fire Departments, with recommendations to the commission.
• Preempts conflicting local laws and states the act does not affect the Firefighters' Personnel Standards and Education Commission's authority; includes an effective date (law takes effect three months after passage).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Volunteer Fire Departments