[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6533295,"mediaKeyId","3794782-8025c745c98ad051f8917377e6b2a3ec","parentId",3794782,"title","Rules subcommittee debates training-hour, live‑burn rules that affect volunteer firefighter pay","audioSeconds",332,"startMs",286000,"endMs",618000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794782-8025c745c98ad051f8917377e6b2a3ec&start=286&end=618","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794782-8025c745c98ad051f8917377e6b2a3ec/thumbnail_286000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6533295/Tennessee/Rules-subcommittee-debates-training-hour-liveburn-rules-that-affect-volunteer-firefighter-pay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533295-fc839e17960dab04525dcb1a9c053796/orig.mp4?Expires=1770517024&Signature=kz5hzw8R9yqaHzBNu~kC-oQri8PxCZStpEkcECbgk8AvDzA3Kh9r1UiVqDo2WM1DO5dGDv1jsYZIjqq0x8bTSbQ8Rl7HI3Zk7Q4SuibVTvvhQIoVrkmqI9kfXopZar3JG~4FXUKyw6Hne8qUyFwqu1IyK9jrLFPA0HLn67fqSOrNlLN1gm0VIwi3BZrJS0iP1vp3fw61jqCwRC2jbNP6MuOkN~tzfMGUdGtaHWRkU-a3b35U9LdA3iuM0L71tcM8Z1hJrLrjNZEqFZ~VA1uCmdoyC33xO7CyPU0L8bSWMl4t6z-w7wO4aN2kCpSn9HMoUXVo9awCq7ol-rMXe~Xnmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Commerce & Insurance","date","2025-06-07T09:28:05.043Z","article","On June 5 the Commerce & Insurance rules subcommittee met to review draft rule language that determines which training qualifies volunteer firefighters for the state'funded educational incentive pay (EIP). Subcommittee members focused discussion on whether to specify hour totals in the rules, how to treat live‑burn (live fire) requirements and exemptions, and whether support roles and investigators should be eligible.

The debate centered on two competing aims: give the Commission office a clear, auditable standard for approving EIP while avoiding language that would exclude volunteers who trained under other regimes or in other states. Commissioner Solomon said a narrowly written statutory reference could reintroduce exemptions the committee had tried to avoid, warning that \"If you leave that 1 12 a in there, they're gonna have to hit the 16 hours\" (Commissioner Solomon). Staff and attendees repeatedly raised the practical problem that certificates from older courses or from other states often lack the discrete \"16‑hour\" or \"64‑hour\" labels currently used by the office for verification.

Among the points discussed:

- Hours vs. named courses: Some members argued the rules should specify a minimum number of verifiable hours (members discussed 90–96 hours as an approximate benchmark derived from a 16‑hour and 64‑hour construct). Others recommended removing the word \"hours\" from the rule and instead require completion of the \"minimum basic training standard\" or an equivalent course that the approving authority can verify. Staff said their processing this year has often required them to \"take into account\" older or differently labeled certificates rather than rely on a single hour figure.

- Live‑burn exemptions and AHJ attestation: The group noted Tennessee law already contains exemptions from the live firefighting portion for firefighters determined by medical certification or by a chief to be non‑interior/support personnel. A staff member summarized that the statute allows a chief to certify that a person \"will not operate within an environment determined to be immediately dangerous to life and health\" and thus be exempted from the live‑burn portion. The subcommittee discussed creating a standard attestation form the department chief would complete so the Commission office would not require a live‑burn certificate in those cases.

- Support personnel: Members pressed to include a distinct category for support personnel (drivers, engineers, logistics) who perform essential duties but who by policy or physical limitation do not enter Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health (IDLH) environments. The proposal under discussion would allow an attestation by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to replace the live‑burn requirement for support roles so those personnel can qualify for EIP if they meet other minimum training standards.

- Investigators and inspectors: The subcommittee discussed explicitly including fire investigators and inspectors in eligibility language. Members noted the statute uses different time frames for inspectors versus other classifications (12 months for some inspector certifications, 24 months for certain public‑safety educator tracks), and they proposed harmonizing the rule language so newly hired inspectors/investigators must complete required certification within a consistent period (discussion focused on 12 months for inspectors and investigators).

- Reciprocity and out‑of‑state training: Several members raised examples of firefighters with substantial out‑of‑state training packages (one participant described a 124‑hour college program) that exceed Tennessee minimums but lack the Tennessee course labels. Staff said the AHJ should be able to provide documentation correlating such certificates to Tennessee minimums rather than forcing the firefighter to retake courses.

Why it matters: The committee's choices will determine which volunteers remain eligible for EIP payments and how burdensome documentation and verification will be for the Commission office and small departments. Members repeatedly emphasized avoiding language that would unintentionally exclude otherwise qualified volunteers, while also creating auditable standards for payment.

What the subcommittee directed: Members asked staff to draft rule language that (a) references the statutory minimums but allows AHJ attestation for live‑burn exemptions and support personnel; (b) clarifies timelines for inspectors/investigators; and (c) removes ambiguous one‑line hour statements in favor of verifiable course or certificate requirements. No formal vote or final rule adoption occurred at the meeting.

Ending note: Several members urged the subcommittee to keep the verification process administratively simple (an attestation form and clear checklist for staff) so smaller departments are not priced out of compliance or excluded from the EIP program.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","FFC Rules Subcommittee Meeting 6/5/2025 - Part 1","oneSentenceSummary","On June 5 the Commerce & Insurance rules subcommittee met to review draft rule language that determines which training qualifies volunteer firefighters for the state‑funded educational incentive pay (EIP).","taxTitle","Commerce & Insurance, Deparments in Office of the Governor, Organizations, Executive, Tennessee","taxId",17379,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6533291,"Subcommittee weighs removing preapproval, easing attendance proofs and clarifying payment sponsors for volunteer EIP",4374,2581000,6955000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3794782-8025c745c98ad051f8917377e6b2a3ec&start=2581&end=6955","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3794782-8025c745c98ad051f8917377e6b2a3ec/thumbnail_2581000.jpg","/articles/6533291/Tennessee/Subcommittee-weighs-removing-preapproval-easing-attendance-proofs-and-clarifying-payment-sponsors-for-volunteer-EIP","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6533291-d4f5098cb9ef57c7323ba5591920b1fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770517024&Signature=oLoqtE0hh~iozrXu7Tj6j~IHd6dYYfDCel9Ksig~zQgech4oinPssi-i33Eh87IiVHR~1wNEv828A6xjOT7gGRdgdnLmr6n7UjUVfeK8w9VN2nNICuOjgPe-QA9O6MInJTvM1~tf~QDjettTZ7Qi~J9~tB78HLum0JaXNWLMO6urnhtxa3fK74KkM6NdsffMmNimDiUqh7NZ1o~Q9wwRg2W3YYn2Tem-~tU3GHrPkzTmxFw1yC1IyZ22gnyeyk2VY4Mwi7D88t6Ab0GI8ISC5V01pyiaVONFab6T7vDr9qZbE3p7QpDM3-L8WW3OzT2SS~VYJW~33pdWgNfaz8VgLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The rules subcommittee on June 5 also spent substantial time on administrative changes tied to the educational incentive pay (EIP) program: whether to remove preapproval of training programs, how departments should keep attendance and proof‑of‑completion records, what auditing is practicable for online courses, and who can request payment on a volunteer''s behalf.

Key administrative topics and outcomes discussed:

- Preapproval and substitution forms: Members discussed eliminating the longstanding preapproval/substitution program that required trainers to submit course packages in advance. The effect would be to move to an audit‑based system where departments submit attendance records and completion proof after the fact rather than seeking prior Commission approval. Several training officers welcomed the simplification; others warned the change could produce uneven training quality unless departments and AHJs take responsibility for quality control.

- Attendance records and electronic proof: The committee agreed that proof of completion (a certificate, course roster, or a verifiable platform report such as from Target Solutions) should be acceptable. Staff suggested replacing language that required a specific, Commission‑prescribed attendance form with a requirement to maintain a verifiable record and make it available on audit. One staff auditor said \"proof of completion\" is the practical standard used during audits.

- Online training and testing: Members debated whether every class must include a test. Many argued testing is impractical for ad hoc or conference CEUs and for live practical sessions that have no standardized test. The subcommittee moved away from requiring a test in every case; instead the committee said programs that have tests should retain them and departments should keep the associated test instruments/rosters for audit purposes. Members also discussed reasonable limits (for example, caps on how many online hours count toward EIP) but did not adopt final limits in this meeting.

- Audit procedures and anti‑fraud: Training officers asked how the Commission would audit online learning completed off‑duty and whether departments can detect \"pencil‑whipping.\" Staff replied that auditing compliance with required hours is feasible, but verifying the identity of a remote course taker is primarily a department responsibility; departments should maintain internal procedures to limit misuse.

- Payment sponsors and attestation forms: The subcommittee discussed who may request EIP payments: the fire department, an approved sponsoring organization (for example, a chiefs or firefighters association), or in some cases the individual volunteer. Staff explained current practice: when a department accepts funds, a county/city administrative official signs the acknowledgement; when the department refuses funds, the individual may be paid directly, but the attestation form still must be completed in either the department or the individual's packet. Association representative David described past practice of his organization signing attestation forms on behalf of volunteers and said some volunteer groups prefer the association or a sponsoring organization handle payment distribution rather than the county government. Members suggested adding language to permit Commission‑approved organizations to act as sponsors so long as they meet financial controls.

What the subcommittee directed: Staff was asked to redraft rule text removing the prescribed attendance form language, to accept electronic proof of completion (certificate or verifiable platform report), to retain audit authority while clarifying that departments are responsible for preventing misuse of online CEUs, and to provide options for authorized sponsoring organizations or AHJ attestations where departments will not accept funds. No formal vote occurred.

Ending: The subcommittee emphasized administrative simplicity and auditability. Members asked staff to return with revised language that preserves financial safeguards while reducing paperwork burden on small departments.

","Members discussed scrapping preapproval for training programs, accepting electronic proof of completion, limiting mandatory tests, and clarifying who may request/receive EIP payments (departments, approved organizations, or individuals).","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Rules subcommittee debates training-hour, live‑burn rules that affect volunteer firefighter pay

Subcommittee weighs removing preapproval, easing attendance proofs and clarifying payment sponsors for volunteer EIP