SENATE LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 3423

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  MAY 29, 2025

      The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 3423.

      As reported by the committee, this bill requires the Commissioner of Community Affairs to adopt rules for the deployment of career fire fighters that are consistent with the standards promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), NFPA 1710 (2020 edition).  The bill also requires the appointing authority of each career fire department to ensure the deployment of fire fighting personnel, for rescue, fire suppression, and related activities, consistently with the standards set forth in NFPA 1710 (2020 edition) and the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this bill.

     While a municipality may have authority to determine the overall level of fire protection to provide within its jurisdiction, a municipality that has established and maintains a paid or part-paid fire department and force is to deploy fire-fighting personnel consistently with NFPA 1710, the national standard designed to enhance the safety of the employees of career fire departments.  This bill will prevent local units from relaxing fire fighter safety requirements due to possible fiscal constraints or political concerns.