What is the Firefighter Minimum Training Law?
This new law was passed by the 2009 General Assembly and signed by the governor on June 25, 2009. The law is effective on July 1, 2009. T.C.A. Title 4, Chapter 24, Part 1, is amended by adding a new section, Section 4-24-112. The law does three things: (1) establishes a 16-hour class that must be taken by anyone who enters the fire service before they can respond to any emergency, (2) requires that every firefighter complete a basic firefighter class, as defined by the Tennessee Fire and Codes Academy, within three years of joining a fire department, and (3) provides exceptions for firefighters who already have five years of experience. Who does this law affect? All full-time, part-time and volunteer firefighters in Tennessee. Are there any exceptions? Yes (1) Any firefighter who is certified by a medical doctor as medically or physically unable to complete the training requirements is exempt; however, the fire department may not allow such firefighters to engage in active firefighting
