Some of the state’s first responders will need to prove their aptitude.
Full-time firefighters hired on or after July 1, 2011, will need a license, and volunteer and on-call firefighters will have the option of getting a license by following the same requirements as full-time firefighters.
To receive a three-year license, a person must demonstrate competency in fire prevention, fire suppression and hazardous material operations. A license will be renewed without testing, provided the firefighter had at least 72 hours of training during the previous three years. Grandfathered provisions would exempt the approximately 2,000 current full-time firefighters.
To ensure there is no fiscal impact to the state, a $75 fee is established for the original license and each renewal.
The new law calls for the Board of Firefighter Training and Education to appoint an accredited organization to prepare and administer firefighter certification examinations.
Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) and Sen. Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) sponsor the law.
An amendment successfully added by Rep. Larry Howes (R-Walker) provides a two-week window between Oct. 1, 2009, and Oct. 15, 2009, for people to apply for a restricted master plumber license. He said the previous window to apply for a license was limited, forcing many people to miss the application opportunity.
HF1805/SF1219*/CH153
Turn your key and breathe
House approves ignition interlock bill that would let DWI offenders drive sooner
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Published 4/29/2010
Minnesota Index: Crime and punishment
Figures and statistics on crime in Minnesota.
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Published 3/18/2010
Red River Basin: ‘Here we go again’
Flood-prone communities look to keep their heads above water
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Published 3/4/2010
At Issue: Courts and corrections backing
Public safety finance bill awaits gubernatorial action
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Published 5/15/2009
At Issue: Corrections, courts funding concerns
Omnibus public safety finance bill gets mixed reaction from House
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Published 5/1/2009
At Issue: Sex offenders, courts and corrections
Omnibus public safety policy bill headed to conference committee
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Published 4/24/2009
At Issue: Helping to find missing adults
House vote expected soon on ‘Brandon’s Law’
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Published 4/17/2009
Minnesota Index: Keeping Minnesotans safe
Figures and statistics on the state patrol and fire marshals in Minnesota
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Published 3/20/2009
Minnesota Index: See you in court
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's court system
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Published 2/27/2009
Minnesota Index: 'The Graybar Hotel'
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's prison population
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Published 1/16/2009