(1) There is created within the department a Firefighters Employment, Standards, and Training Council of 15 members.(a) The members shall be appointed as follows:1. Two fire chiefs appointed by the Florida Fire Chiefs Association.
2. Two firefighters, who are not officers, appointed by the Florida Professional Firefighters Association.
3. Two firefighter officers, who are not fire chiefs, appointed by the State Fire Marshal.
4. One individual appointed by the Florida League of Cities.
5. One individual appointed by the Florida Association of Counties.
6. One individual appointed by the Florida Association of Special Districts.
7. One individual appointed by the Florida Fire Marshals’ and Inspectors’ Association.
8. One employee of the Florida Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services appointed by the director of the Florida Forest Service.
9. One individual appointed by the State Fire Marshal.
10. One director or instructor of a state-certified firefighting training facility appointed by the State Fire Marshal.
11. One individual, appointed by the State Fire Marshal, who may not be a member or representative of the firefighting profession or of any local government.
12. One individual from the Department of Health, appointed by the Surgeon General.
(b) To be eligible for appointment as a member under subparagraph (a)1., subparagraph (a)2., subparagraph (a)3., subparagraph (a)8., or subparagraph (a)10., a person must have had at least 4 years’ experience in the firefighting profession. Members shall serve only as long as they continue to meet the criteria under which they were appointed, or unless a member has failed to appear at three consecutive and properly noticed meetings unless excused by the chair.
(2) Members shall be appointed for 4-year terms and in no event shall a member serve more than two consecutive terms. Any vacancy shall be filled in the manner of the original appointment for the remaining time of the term.
(3) The State Fire Marshal, in making her or his appointments, shall take into consideration representation by geography, population, and other relevant factors, in order that the membership on the council will be apportioned to give representation to the state at large rather than to a particular area.
(4) Membership on the council shall not disqualify a member from holding any other public office or being employed by a public entity, except that no member of the Legislature shall serve on the council.
(5) The council shall elect to 1-year terms a chair and a vice chair. A person may not serve more than two consecutive terms in either office.
(6) The council shall meet at the call of the chair, at the request of a majority of its membership, at the request of the department, or at such times as are prescribed by its rules, and a majority of the council shall constitute a quorum.
(7) Members of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided by s. 112.061. (8) The council may adopt a seal for its use containing the words “Firefighters Employment, Standards, and Training Council.”
(9) The council shall have special powers in connection with the employment and training of firefighters to:(a) Recommend, for adoption by the division, uniform minimum standards for the employment and training of firefighters and training of volunteer firefighters.
(b) Recommend, for adoption by the division, minimum curriculum requirements for schools operated by or for any fire service provider for the specific purpose of training firefighter trainees, firefighters, and volunteer firefighters.
(c) Recommend, for adoption by the division, on matters relating to the funding, general operation, and administration of the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training (Florida State Fire College), including, but not limited to, all standards, training, curriculum, and the issuance of any certificate of competency required by this chapter.
(d) Make or support studies on any aspect of firefighting employment, education, and training or recruitment.
(e) Make recommendations concerning any matter within its purview pursuant to this section.
