Chapter 560 Oregon Laws 2001
AN ACT
HB 3111
Relating to volunteer
firefighters; and prescribing an effective date.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
SECTION 1.
(1) As used in this section:
(a) “Eastern Oregon”
means that portion of the state lying east of a line beginning at the
intersection of the northern boundary of the State of Oregon and the western
boundary of Wasco County, thence southerly along the western boundaries of the
counties of Wasco, Jefferson, Deschutes and Klamath to the southern boundary of
the State of Oregon.
(b) “Western Oregon”
means that portion of the state lying west of a line beginning at the
intersection of the northern boundary of the State of Oregon and the western
boundary of Wasco County, thence southerly along the western boundaries of the
counties of Wasco, Jefferson, Deschutes and Klamath to the southern boundary of
the State of Oregon.
(2) There is created an
interim Volunteer Firefighter Task Force to study and report on the status of
volunteer firefighters and volunteer-based fire jurisdictions in rural areas of
the state. The task force shall consist of the State Fire Marshal, or a designee
thereof, as an ex officio member and eight members appointed by, and serving at
the pleasure of, the Governor. Members appointed by the Governor shall include:
(a) A chief of a fire
department or district located in western Oregon and composed wholly or
primarily of volunteer firefighters. In making the appointment, the Governor
shall seek nominations from the Oregon Fire Chiefs’ Association.
(b) A chief of a fire
department or district located in eastern Oregon and composed wholly or
primarily of volunteer firefighters. In making the appointment, the Governor
shall seek nominations from the Oregon Fire Chiefs’ Association.
(c) A director of a fire
department or district composed wholly or primarily of volunteer firefighters.
In making the appointment, the Governor shall seek nominations from the Oregon
Fire District Directors Association.
(d) A representative of
the Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association or a similar organization.
(e) A representative of
the Oregon State Firefighters Council or a similar organization.
(f) A representative of
an Oregon employer.
(g) Two representatives
of the public.
(3) The Governor shall
complete appointment of the task force no later than January 1, 2002. The task
force shall meet as often as the members consider necessary. The task force
shall study the problems and challenges faced by rural fire departments and fire
districts in recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters. The study shall
include a review of actions taken by other states to address problems and
challenges faced by volunteer firefighters and by rural fire departments and
fire districts that rely on volunteer firefighters.
(4) Members of the task
force are entitled to compensation and expenses under ORS 292.495. Claims for
expenses incurred in performing functions of the task force shall be paid out
of funds available for that purpose.
(5) The office of the
State Fire Marshal shall provide staff services to the task force. All
agencies, departments and officers of this state are directed to assist the
interim task force in the performance of its functions and to furnish
information and advice as the task force considers necessary.
(6) Official action by
the task force shall require the approval of a majority of the members. The
task force shall submit a report on its findings and recommendations to the
Seventy-second Legislative Assembly and to the Governor no later than January 31,
2003. All legislation recommended by official action of the task force must
indicate that it is introduced at the request of the task force. Such
legislation shall be prepared in time for presession filing under ORS 171.130,
for presentation to the regular session of the Seventy-second Legislative
Assembly.
SECTION 2.
This 2001 Act takes effect on the 91st
day after the date on which the regular session of the Seventy-first
Legislative Assembly adjourns sine die.
Approved by the Governor
June 22, 2001
Filed in the office of
Secretary of State June 25, 2001
Effective date October 6,
2001
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