JoAnne E. Rice

The meeting included a report from FFIRS detailing that NFIRS will sunset on January 1, 2026, and NERIS Onboarding has commenced, with an expectation for departments to begin reporting in NERIS by November 1, 2025. The FFIRS report also mentioned the completion of the Annual Report and ongoing updates to Dashboards. Feedback was solicited on rule 69A-66. A discussion arose regarding proposed rule changes, specifically concerning the transition timeline for departments facing issues with their current vendor regarding NERIS compliance and appropriations/grants linkage. Willie Saulsberry confirmed there were no changes regarding reporting casualties and is investigating NERIS and HIPAA compliance.

The meeting included reports from FFIRS regarding the NERIS transition, noting that Sunsetting for NFIRS is set for January 1, 2026, and that 47 Florida Departments have completed NERIS onboarding. The FFIRS Section is now fully staffed, and dashboards are being updated. A report from EMS indicated a 97.6% submission rate for agencies, with an error rate of 0.87, and future focus on improving data quality through Business Rules. Data downloads for NFIRS are currently being done quarterly, with a request to move to monthly processing. Reports on Oxygen Fires are ongoing, and Florida EMSTARS now lists 'data quality'. Under discussion related to rule modification (69A.66) due to the switch from NFIRS to NERIS, and collaboration efforts to assess Haz Mat Teams, mental health programs, and preventative cancer measures within fire departments.

The meeting included reports from the Division and the Bureau. The Division reported on progress regarding the Firefighter OSHA Rule 69A-62, including workshop completion and upcoming rule hearings, legislative support for the Florida State Fire College enhancements, and positive feedback on the streamlined process for Out-of-State/DOD Firefighters. The Bureau reported on enrollment and testing for Out-of-State/DOD students, the transition to the new FireTRAQ system (with FCDICE now read-only), ongoing Decon Grants, the upcoming 2025 Florida Fallen Firefighter Memorial where nine cancer-related cases will be added, status of the Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Grant, and enrollment figures for the Grow As You Go Program. Updates were also given on upcoming training sessions and campus construction/updates at the Florida State Fire College. In New Business, a request was made and supported for publishing investigative reports conducted by the Division of State Fire Marshal.

The meeting included reports from the Division and the Bureau, noting the resignation of Chief Bill Sturgeon and the appointment of Bruce Gillingham as the new Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Fire Standards & Training. Key discussions covered legislative updates, including Bill 929, which mandates new rules for tracking Line of Duty Illnesses, Mental Health/Suicides, and training injury/death events, leading to more compliance inspections. Updates were provided on legislative budget requests, the purchase of CANVAS, and the upcoming rollout of FireTRAQ. Staffing issues at the Firefighters Standards and Training Council (FSFC) and efforts to increase salaries were addressed. Statistical updates showed an increase in Firefighter II certifications and employed firefighters for YTD 2025. In new business, a representative from the State Training Task Force urged the Council to send letters of support to legislators regarding understaffing issues and noted recent federal grant funding for Haz Mat and USAR teams.

The meeting included a report from the Division, covering safety compliance inspections, Fire College campus updates, and division staffing. The Bureau report included certifications, training, safety section updates, and rule development. Old business included a white paper on recruitment and retention. New business covered out-of-state FF/DOD equivalency. Council input included an update on DOH/Fire suicide statistics.