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H. B. No. 1029 *HR31/R1060* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
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To: Insurance
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Currie
HOUSE BILL NO. 1029
AN ACT TO CREATE THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER CERTIFICATION ACT; 1
TO PROVIDE THAT VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS WHO COMPLETE NFPA 2
1010-COMPLIANT TRAINING MAY RECEIVE FIREFIGHTER I AND II 3
CERTIFICATIONS; TO REQUIRE THE STATE FIRE ACADEMY, IN CONSULTATION 4
WITH THE OFFICE OF THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL, TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS 5
TO CERTIFY COMPLETION OF SUCH TRAINING; TO REQUIRE THE STATE FIRE 6
ACADEMY TO MAINTAIN A REGISTRY OF CERTIFIED VOLUNTEER 7
FIREFIGHTERS; TO BRING FORWARD SECTION 45-11-253, MISSISSIPPI CODE 8
OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED 9
PURPOSES. 10
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 11
SECTION 1. (1) This act shall be known and may be cited as 12
the "Volunteer Firefighter Certification Act". 13
(2) (a) The Legislature finds that volunteer firefighters 14
across Mississippi undergo training that meets or exceeds NFPA 15
1010, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Firefighters. 16
(b) Recognition of such training is essential for 17
workforce development, interagency cooperation and public safety 18
advancement. 19
(c) It is the purpose of this act to ensure that 20
qualified volunteer firefighters may receive state professional 21
firefighter certification equal to that of career firefighters. 22
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(3) (a) The State Fire Academy, in consultation with the 23
Office of the State Fire Marshal, shall establish a process to 24
verify volunteer firefighter completion of NFPA 1010-compliant 25
training. 26
(b) Upon verification, volunteer firefighters who have 27
completed NFPA 1010-compliant training shall be eligible to 28
receive state-issued Firefighter I and Firefighter II 29
certifications from the State Fire Academy. 30
(c) Certification shall not alter the volunteer's 31
employment status or compensation structure, but shall qualify the 32
volunteer for reciprocity and professional recognition under state 33
and national standards. 34
(3) (a) The State Fire Academy shall maintain a registry of 35
certified volunteer firefighters. 36
(b) No additional fee beyond standard certification 37
processing shall be imposed on volunteer firefighters seeking 38
certification. 39
(c) The State Fire Academy may promulgate rules 40
necessary to implement this section. Implementation shall be 41
accomplished within existing resources of the State Fire Academy 42
and the Department of Insurance. 43
SECTION 2. Section 45-11-253, Mississippi Code of 1972, is 44
brought forward as follows: 45
45-11-253. The board shall: 46
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(a) Establish minimum educational and training 47
standards for fire personnel. 48
(b) Certify persons as being qualified under Sections 49
45-11-251 and 45-11-253 to be fire personnel. 50
(c) Revoke certifications for cause and in the manner 51
provided in Sections 45-11-251 and 45-11-253. 52
(d) Establish minimum curriculum requirements for basic 53
and advanced courses and programs for schools operated by or for 54
the state or any political subdivision thereof for the specific 55
purpose of training fire personnel. 56
(e) Make recommendations concerning any matter within 57
its purview. 58
(f) Make such inspection and evaluation as may be 59
necessary to determine if governmental units are complying with 60
Sections 45-11-251 and 45-11-253 at cost to those units. 61
(g) Approve fire training schools for operation by or 62
for the state or any political subdivision thereof for the 63
specific purpose of training personnel. 64
(h) Upon the request of agencies, conduct surveys or 65
aid municipalities and counties to conduct surveys at cost to 66
those agencies through qualified public or private agencies and 67
assist in the implementation of any recommendations resulting from 68
such surveys. 69
(i) Upon request of training agencies, conduct general 70
and specific management surveys and studies of the operations of 71
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ST: Volunteer Firefighter Certification Act;
create.
the requesting agencies at cost to those agencies. The role of 72
the board under this subsection shall be that of consultant. 73
(j) Adopt and amend regulations consistent with law, 74
for its internal management and control of board programs. 75
(k) Enter into contracts or do such things as may be 76
necessary and incidental to the administration of Sections 77
45-11-251 and 45-11-253. 78
(l) Promulgate rules and regulations for the 79
administration of Sections 45-11-251 and 45-11-253, including the 80
authority to require the submission of reports and information by 81
fire service agencies. 82
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from 83
and after July 1, 2026. 84