STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 53rd Legislature (2011)

SENATE BILL 685	By:	Sykes

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to substate planning districts; requiring substate planning districts to participate in certain program under certain circumstances; setting out duties; providing for leadership and support to Rural Fire Coordinators; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 901.62 of Title 19, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
The Forestry Division of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry shall administer the Rural Fire Coordinator Program.  Any substate planning district that has employed a Rural Fire Coordinator prior to January 1, 2011, shall participate in the Rural Fire Coordinator Program.  The Rural Fire Coordinator shall work with rural fire departments to provide their expertise and experience in solving local problems related to equipment, staffing, and funding.  In addition, the Rural Fire Coordinator shall:
1.  Provide technical assistance to the rural fire departments in the development of their equipment, communications system, and training programs;
2.  Administer state and federal grant programs to assist rural fire departments within established guidelines and procedures to obtain financial assistance to improve their fire protection capabilities;
3.  Coordinate efforts of the rural fire departments with those of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry to manage fire suppression throughout the state during periods of emergency; and
4.  Provide certification of rural fire departments in the district in compliance with Section 901.56 of Title 19 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2011.

53-1-279	JT	1/19/2011 6:13:10 PM