§ 159. Advisory council for fire prevention and control. 1. There is
hereby created within the division of homeland security and emergency
services an advisory council for fire prevention and control for the
purpose of advising the commissioner and the state fire administrator
with regard to: (a) execution of the functions, powers and duties of the
office with respect to fire and arson prevention and control services,
policies and programs; (b) recommendations on courses of instruction and
standards for training of firefighters of fire departments, fire
companies, municipal corporations, districts, and private industry of
the state; (c) recommendations on federal and state legislation and
programs relating to fire and arson prevention services, policies and
programs; and (d) recommendations upon such other matters as the
commissioner and the state fire administrator may request.

2. The council shall be composed of the state fire administrator, as
chair, or his or her designee, and twelve other members appointed as
follows: six members appointed by the governor; two members appointed by
the temporary president of the senate; one member appointed by the
minority leader of the senate; two members appointed by the speaker of
the assembly; one member appointed by the minority leader of the
assembly.

3. Membership of such council shall consist of representatives from
the volunteer and career fire service, at least half of which shall
serve at the municipal level.

4. Members of the council, other than the state fire administrator,
shall serve for terms of three years, with such terms to commence on
April first and expire on March thirty-first.

5. No member of the council shall be disqualified from holding any
other public office or employment, nor shall he or she forfeit any such
office or employment by reason of the appointment hereunder,
notwithstanding the provisions of any general, special or local law,
ordinance or city charter.

6. The council shall meet at least twice a year. Special meetings may
be called by the chairperson. The agenda and meeting place of all
regular or special meetings shall be made available to the public in
advance of such meeting.

7. Members of the council shall serve without salary or per diem
allowance, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and
necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties under
this section, provided, however, that such members are not, at the time
such expenses are incurred, public employees otherwise entitled to such
reimbursement.

8. The chairperson may create subcommittees as he or she may from time
to time deem appropriate to provide the council with advice and
recommendations. Members of such subcommittees shall be entitled to
reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the
performance of official duties under this section, provided, however,
that such members are not, at the time such expenses are incurred,
public employees otherwise entitled to such reimbursement.