By Doug Nelson, State Fire Marshal
Situational Awareness is defined by Fire Officer Principles and Practice (Second Edition) as “The process of evaluating the severity and consequences of an incident and communicating the results.” There are a number of items as we head into April that the fire service needs to be aware of and keep an eye on the consequences and results.
The National Fire Academy, which is run by the United States Fire Administration, was shut down for an undetermined amount of time in early March. We have heard that some courses are beginning to be rescheduled for later this summer or fall. This is an invaluable training resource for fire departments and our office. Due to the shutdown, our office alone has already had three staff members miss scheduled classes. Not to mention other fire departments throughout the state that had courses scheduled. We are hoping that this is only a delay and the courses resume as normal soon.
It has been made clear over the last two legislative sessions that Carbon Dioxide (CO2) pipelines are in North Dakota and are not going anywhere. CO2 is a heavier-than-air gas when released into the atmosphere, with health effects. The most hazardous health effects are that CO2 works as an asphyxiant. Though if a release occurs out in the open, the emergency should be manageable with time and proper separation/evacuation, it is an increasing hazard that the state should be prepared for. There are multiple sources for training, including the North Dakota Pipeline Association, which can be visited here. The National Association of State Fire Marshals is another source for this training and can be visited here. If you need help scheduling, coordinating or requesting training, please reach out to the North Dakota Firefighters Association.
On March 10th, the Governor signed an Executive Order (governor.ND.gov) declaring a statewide fire emergency, activating the State Emergency Operations Plan. This was based upon current conditions, expected conditions, and lasts until May 31st, unless extended. Keep updated on conditions in your County by visiting the DES Conditions and Burn Restrictions maps here. Help remind your communities to create defensible space in the Wildland Urban Interface, monitor conditions, and follow local burn restrictions.
We continue to get more fire departments reporting to our office. We are at a new all-time high of 90% right now and working to continue to build that number by helping fire departments report. The Certificate of Existence process for the 2024 deadline in Century Code expired on March 1st. We did have five fire departments/districts that did not meet century code requirements for the program and did not receive their fire insurance distribution checks. We continue to notify, reach out, offer assistance and help fire departments through this process, but we do have to work within the state laws that govern the program. NERIS is still coming, and please stay tuned for updates throughout the year. Also, check out our NERIS blog this month for updates on what and when you have to prepare to transition.
The legislature is still in session and the State Fire Marshal’s Office will continue to watch fire service bills. Currently, we are tracking the following (green have passed both sides of the legislature and signed by the Governor):
- HB 1112, Relating to membership of state firefighters in the public employees retirement system.
- HB 1086, Relating to the use of the reduced cigarette ignition propensity and the insurance regulatory trust fund.
- HB 1139, Relating to a sales and excise tax exemption for fire departments.
- HB 1281, Relating to motor vehicle fuel tax, special fuels tax, and aviation fuel tax refunds for fuels purchased by fire departments.
- HB 1528, Relating to arson and endangering by fire or explosion; and to provide a penalty
- SB 2090, Relating to updating language for the state fire marshal department.
- SB 2135, Relating to the firefighter’s death benefits fund.
- SB 2218, A Bill for an Act to provide an appropriation to the insurance commissioner for a North Dakota firefighter’s association grant; and to declare an emergency.
- SB 2336, Relating to the regulation of conveyances and elevator contractors, mechanics, and inspectors.
- SB 2339, Relating to strict liability and a wildfire mitigation plan of a qualified utility.
- SB 2340, A Bill for an Act to provide for a legislative management study to evaluate the evolving fire service operational and response needs of the state.
We hope to see you at our March Lunch and Learn, but until then keep your situational awareness up and please reach out for any assistance or questions.