(A) There is hereby created the state fire council consisting of ten members to be appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The fire marshal or chief deputy fire marshal, a representative designated by the department of public safety who has tenure in fire suppression, and a representative designated by the board of building standards shall be ex officio members. Of the initial appointments made to the council, two shall be for a term ending one year after November 1, 1978, two shall be for a term ending two years after that date, two shall be for a term ending three years after that date, two shall be for a term ending four years after that date, and two shall be for a term ending five years after that date. Thereafter, terms of office shall be for five years, each term ending on the same day of the same month of the year as did the term which it succeeds. Each member shall hold office from the date of appointment until the end of the term for which the member was appointed. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member's predecessor was appointed shall hold office for the remainder of that term. Any member shall continue in office subsequent to the expiration date of the member's term until a successor takes office, or until a period of sixty days has elapsed, whichever occurs first. Members shall be qualified by experience and training to deal with the matters that are the responsibility of the council. Two members shall be members of paid fire services, one shall be a member of volunteer fire services, two shall be mayors, managers, or members of legislative authorities of municipal corporations, one shall represent commerce and industry, one shall be a representative of a fire insurance company domiciled in this state, one shall represent the flammable liquids industry, one shall represent the construction industry, and one shall represent the public. At no time shall more than six members be members of or associated with the same political party. Membership on the council shall not constitute holding a public office, and no person shall forfeit or otherwise vacate the person's office or position of employment because of membership on the council.

(B) The ex officio members may not vote, except that the fire marshal or chief deputy fire marshal may vote in case of a tie.

(C) Each member of the council, other than ex officio members, shall be paid an amount fixed pursuant to division (J) of section 124.15 of the Revised Code, and the member's actual and necessary expenses.

(D) The council shall select a chairperson and a vice-chairperson from among its members. No business may be transacted in the absence of a quorum. A quorum shall be at least six members, excluding ex officio members, and shall include either the chairperson or vice-chairperson. The council shall hold regular meetings at least once every two months and may meet at any other time at the call of the chairperson.

(E) The fire marshal shall provide the council with office space, meeting rooms, staff, and clerical assistance necessary for the council to perform its duties. If the council maintains the Ohio fire service hall of fame under division (C) of section 3737.03 of the Revised Code, the fire marshal shall preserve, in an appropriate manner, in the office space or meeting rooms provided to the council under this division or in another location, copies of all official commendations awarded to individuals recognized and commemorated for their exemplary accomplishments and acts of heroism at fire-related incidents or similar events that occurred in this state.

(F) If the council maintains the Ohio fire service hall of fame under division (C) of section 3737.03 of the Revised Code, the expenses incurred for the recognition and commemoration of individuals for their exemplary accomplishments and acts of heroism at fire-related incidents or similar events that occurred in this state, including, but not limited to, expenses for official commendations and an annual awards ceremony as described in division (B) of section 3737.03 of the Revised Code, may be paid from moneys appropriated by the general assembly for purposes of that recognition and commemoration, from moneys that are available to the fire marshal under this chapter, or from other funding sources available to the council.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.39, SB 171, §1, eff. 6/30/2011.

Effective Date: 09-26-2003 .

Related Legislative Provision: See 129th General AssemblyFile No.39, SB 171, §4 .

Note: The amendment to this section by 129th General AssemblyFile No.10, SB 5, §1 was rejected by voters in the November, 2011 election.