A bill for an act requiring the state fire marshal to conduct a study on the consolidation of fire protection services.

2025-2026 Regular Session

State Fire Marshal must study countywide fire protection consolidation to gauge coverage, response times, staffing, equipment, and dispatch for potential statewide use.

Committee report approving bill, renumbered as SF 594.

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Overview

SSB 1206 is a proposed bill that would require the state Fire Marshal to conduct a comprehensive study on the consolidation of fire protection services. The bill has been approved by the committee and renumbered as SF 594. It was introduced on March 5, 2025, and is currently advancing through the Local Government committee process (subcommittee recommended passage on March 6, 2025).

Status: Committee report approving bill; renumbered as SF 594

Introduced: March 5, 2025

Current designation: SF 594 (originally SSB 1206)

Primary focus: Fire protection service consolidation and related planning

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to evaluate whether consolidating fire protection services at a county level could improve coverage, response times, staffing, equipment, and communications. It seeks to provide a structured analysis that informs potential statewide implementation of countywide fire protection services, with attention to impacts on counties and existing local arrangements.

Key Provisions (Study Topics)

The bill directs the State Fire Marshal to study and report on a broad set of interrelated issues, including current and future conditions and how consolidation might address them. The topics include:

Placement of service stations to maximize fire protection coverage and emergency response times.

Current and future staffing needs, including a proposed employment structure that emphasizes adequate pay and volunteer staffing.

Current and future fire protection equipment needs, including placement of equipment in service stations.

Communication and dispatch challenges, with proposed recommendations for more efficient and effective communications.

The need for city and township fire protection services in relation to implementing a countywide fire protection service.

Existing countywide fire protection service programs in this state and in Midwest states.

Recommendations for implementing countywide fire protection services in this state, with emphasis on effects on particular counties.

Who Would Be Affected

State Fire Marshal's office (lead coordinator of the study)

Counties, cities, townships, and fire protection districts evaluating or implementing fire protection services

Volunteer firefighters and professional staff (through staffing and compensation recommendations)

Public safety and emergency management entities involved in regionalization or consolidation efforts

Timeline and Procedural Details

Effective date: The bill takes effect upon enactment.

Legislative actions to date:

2025-03-05: Introduced and referred to Local Government
2025-03-05: Subcommittee meeting and discussion (Webster, Driscoll, Knox)
2025-03-06: Subcommittee recommends passage 2025-03-06: Committee report approving bill; renumbered SF 594

Next steps: If advanced by the full legislature, SF 594 would move toward floor consideration and potential final passage and enactment.

Notes

The bill frames the study as a precursor to potential countywide consolidation, focusing on practical implications such as funding, staffing, equipment placement, and dispatch efficiency.

The content emphasizes analysis of both state-level programs and comparable Midwest programs to inform recommendations.

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