Section 132-NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered] Office of the state fire marshal; established(a) There is established the office of the state fire marshal within the department of labor and industrial relations. The office shall be headed by a state fire marshal, who shall be appointed by the state fire council to serve for a term of five years. The appointment of the state fire marshal shall be made without regard to chapters 76 and 89, and shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the senate. In the event of a vacancy, the state fire council shall meet expeditiously to select and appoint a new state fire marshal to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. The state fire marshal may hire staff as necessary.(b) The state fire marshal shall have the qualifications, experience, and expertise in fire safety, prevention, and control necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position.(c) The duties of the state fire marshal shall include but not be limited to:(1) Coordinating fire protection efforts between local agencies for the State;(2) Working with the state fire council on matters relating to fire services in the State;(3) Working with state and county law enforcement agencies for enforcement of the state fire code;(4) Reviewing and assessing the fire risk of the State;(5) Reviewing and proposing amendments to the state fire code and submitting the proposed amendments to the state fire council for the state fire council's consideration in its adoption of or amendments to the state fire code;(6) Reviewing the emergency resources that are available in the State to be deployed to address fires;(7) Assessing whether the State would benefit from a statewide public fire safety messaging program;(8) Assisting in the investigation of fires when requested by a county;(9) Conducting inspections of state buildings and facilities to ensure fire safety compliance;(10) Providing and coordinating public education and awareness on fire safety;(11) Overseeing the training and certification of fire inspectors and investigators in the State;(12) Maintaining records of all fires in the State, including the causes and circumstances;(13) Assisting in the disbursement of federal grants for structural fire protection purposes to the counties; and(14) Performing other duties as necessary or delegated by the state fire council.(d) In carrying out the duties of this section, the state fire marshal may utilize the services of the state fire council, including its advisory committees and administrative staff, as appropriate.Added by L 2024, c 209,§ 2, eff. 7/1/2024.