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SB 195

Revise volunteer fire department and volunteer firefighter law

136th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Tim Schaffer

Ohio bill modifies volunteer fire department statutes affecting firefighter protections, training standards, and emergency service operations statewide.

Referred to committee
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Bill Summary · SB 195

Legislative bill overview

SB 195 modifies Ohio's statutory framework governing volunteer fire departments and the rights, responsibilities, and protections afforded to volunteer firefighters. The bill was recently introduced and referred to committee but specific proposed amendments are not yet publicly detailed in available summaries.

Why is this important

Volunteer firefighters comprise a significant portion of emergency response infrastructure in rural and suburban Ohio communities. Changes to volunteer fire department law can affect recruitment and retention, liability protections, training requirements, compensation structures, and the sustainability of these essential services that serve thousands of residents.

Potential points of contention

  • Liability and immunity provisions - Disputes may arise over the extent of legal protections for volunteer departments and individual firefighters during emergency response
  • Training and certification standards - Proposed changes could impose new requirements that create compliance costs or operational challenges for under-resourced volunteer departments
  • Compensation and benefits - Any modifications to how volunteers are paid, insured, or compensated could affect department budgets and volunteer participation rates

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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