TITLE 16

Health and Safety

Safety

CHAPTER 66. Fire Prevention

Subchapter III. State Fire School

§ 6617. Location; supervision; purposes.

There is established in the Dover area a state institution known as the Delaware State Fire School. The Delaware State Fire School shall be under the supervision and control of the State Fire Prevention Commission to effectuate the following purposes:

(1) To provide firefighters and first responders with needed professional instruction and training at a minimum cost to them and their employers;

(2) To develop new methods and practices of fire fighting;

(3) To provide facilities for testing fire fighting equipment;

(4) To disseminate information relative to fires, techniques of fire fighting and other related subjects to all interested agencies and individuals throughout the State;

(5) To undertake any project and engage in any activity which in the opinion of the Fire Prevention Commission will serve to protect the public safety.

16 Del. C. 1953, §  6613;  54 Del. Laws, c. 318, §  170 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  177 Del. Laws, c. 444, §  4

§ 6618. State Fire Prevention Commission’s powers and duties.

(a) The State Fire Prevention Commission shall have complete jurisdiction over the Delaware State Fire School and is vested with full power and authority:

(1) To adopt rules and regulations necessary for the governing of said institution;

(2) To appoint a Director to run the daily operations of the Delaware State Fire School and to employ or acquire such other instructors, office and clerical employees as may be necessary.

(3) To have full management, possession and control of the lands, buildings, structures and property belonging thereto;

(4) To approve the courses of study of the institution;

(5) To approve the rules and regulations for the admission of trainees to said institution;

(6) To visit and inspect said institution and every department thereof, including any and all accounts and records;

(7) To approve all necessary budgets of expenditures for the enlargement, proper furnishings, maintenance, support and conduct of said institution;

(8) To build, construct, change, enlarge, repair and maintain any and all buildings or structures of said institution that may at any time be necessary for said institution;

(9) To purchase and acquire all lands and property necessary for same, of every nature and description whatsoever;

(10) To care for and maintain the same and to do and perform every other matter or thing requisite to the proper management, maintenance, support and control of said institution necessary or requisite to carry out fully the purpose of §§ 6617-6623 of this title, and for raising it to and maintaining it at the proper efficiency and standard as required in the interest of public safety.

(b) The State Fire Prevention Commission shall be permitted to conduct any live burn operation at the Delaware State Fire Service Center, including the New Castle and Sussex Divisions, necessary to carry out the purposes and duties of this chapter, notwithstanding any other provision of the Delaware Code, any county or municipal ordinance or any rules or regulations prohibiting the same to the contrary.

16 Del. C. 1953, §  6614;  54 Del. Laws, c. 318, §  166 Del. Laws, c. 145, §  177 Del. Laws, c. 444, §  4

§ 6619. Director and employees.

The State Fire Prevention Commission shall employ a Director for the Delaware State Fire School who shall be especially trained and qualified in fire fighting, fire experimental work, and emergency services training or shall have such other qualifications as deemed appropriate by the State Fire Prevention Commission including, but not limited to, educational and administrative experience. The Director shall receive such salary as may be set by the State Fire Prevention Commission within the limits set by the annual appropriation to the State Fire Prevention Commission. The Director shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and such term shall be renewable in the discretion of the State Fire Prevention Commission. The Director with the consent and approval of State Fire Prevention Commission shall appoint all authorized personnel pursuant to the merit system rules and regulations as may be necessary for the orderly administration of the Fire School. Salaries of all personnel, to include appropriate classifications, upgrading and promotions, shall be in compliance with Chapter 59 of Title 29.

16 Del. C. 1953, §  6616;  54 Del. Laws, c. 318, §  177 Del. Laws, c. 444, §  4

§ 6620. School attendance fees.

The Director with the consent and approval of the State Fire Prevention Commission may fix and collect admission fees and other fees that it may deem necessary to be charged for training given, and it is expressly provided that all such fees so collected by the State Fire School shall not affect the state appropriation or be deducted there from, but shall be so much additional moneys available for the operation and maintenance of said institution, and the said fees shall be paid to the State Treasury for accounting and deposit in a special fund in the State Treasury.

16 Del. C. 1953, §  6615;  54 Del. Laws, c. 318, §  177 Del. Laws, c. 444, §  4

§ 6621. Liability in the performance of instructional service.

(a) No full-time or part-time instructor certified, assigned, approved or contracted by the Delaware State Fire School who in good faith provides instructional services shall be liable for any civil damages as a result of issuing such instructions, unless guilty of gross or wilful negligence.

(b) No university, college or medical facility, nor any other entity nor any of its faculty members, participating in good faith as part of an approved Delaware State Fire School training or educational program, shall be liable for any civil damages as a result of any primary or continuing training or educational practice by any enrolled students unless guilty of gross or wilful negligence.

66 Del. Laws, c. 34, §  177 Del. Laws, c. 444, §  4

§ 6622. Buildings and equipment.

The State Fire Prevention Commission shall have the power to prescribe and shall make the necessary rules and regulations for the use of the buildings, equipment and other facilities of the institution when they are not in use for the purpose set forth.

77 Del. Laws, c. 444, §  4

§ 6623. Fire School Advisory Board.

For the purpose of advising and make recommendations to the State Fire School in connection with any matters relating to the State Fire School, there is hereby created the State Fire School Advisory Board. The Advisory Board shall be comprised of 6 members appointed by the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters’ Association. Two members shall come from New Castle County, 2 from Kent County and 2 from Sussex County. Each member of the Advisory Board shall serve at the pleasure of the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters’ Association. The Advisory Board shall choose a Chairperson and shall meet thereafter at the call of the Chairperson of the Advisory Board or the Director of the State Fire School.

16 Del. C. 1953, §  6618;  54 Del. Laws, c. 318, §  165 Del. Laws, c. 246, §  165 Del. Laws, c. 400, §§  1, 270 Del. Laws, c. 186, §  177 Del. Laws, c. 378, §  177 Del. Laws, c. 444, §  4

§§ 6624,6625. [Reserved.]