Requiring the state fire marshal to conduct a study on the consolidation of fire protection services, and including effective date provisions

This bill requires the state fire marshal, in consultation with a variety of stakeholders, to submit a report of a countywide fire protection services study’s findings to the general assembly on or before June 30, 2026. The bill provides that the study must include all of the following: a cost analysis for upfront and ongoing costs to provide consolidated countywide fire protection services systems including proposed funding mechanisms and the potential effect a countywide fire protection service could have on local authority expenditures and budgets; an analysis of current fire protection coverage including current response times and recommendations for placement of service stations to maximize fire protection coverage and emergency response times; an analysis of current and future staffing needs including a proposed employment structure that focuses on adequate employee pay and volunteer staffing including benefits, stipends, or other compensation allowed in accordance with local, state, or federal law; an analysis of current fire protection equipment and future fire protection equipment needs including proposed placement of fire protection equipment in service stations; an analysis of current communication and dispatch challenges including proposed recommendations for more efficient and effective communications; an analysis of the need for city and township fire protection services in relation to the implementation of a countywide fire protection service; an analysis of existing countywide fire protection service programs in this state and midwest states; and recommendations for the implementation of countywide fire protection services in this state with an emphasis on the effects the consolidated services could have on particular counties. The bill takes effect upon enactment.