(A) (1) There is a Garrett County Emergency Services Board established by the Board of County Commissioners of Garrett County.
(2) The Emergency Services Board consists of the following members:
(a) One representative from the Garrett County Fire and Rescue Association, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners;
(b) One representative from the Garrett County Chief's Committee, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners;
(c) One member recommended by the Southern Garrett Rescue Squad, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners;
(d) One member recommended by the Northern Garrett Rescue Squad, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners;
(e) The Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management; and
(f) Three members of the general public, appointed by the Board of County Commissioners.
(3) (a) The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint the members that represent the Garrett County Fire and Rescue Association, the Garrett County Chief's Committee, the Southern Garrett Rescue Squad, and the Northern Garrett Rescue Squad from a list of at least three nominations for each position.
(b) The Board of County Commissioners may reject any nomination for membership.
(4) The Board of County Commissioners shall appoint one of the members from the general public as chair.
(5) (a) The term of a member is two years.
(b) The Board of County Commissioners may reappoint a member to one or more additional terms.
(B) The mission of the Emergency Services Board is to promote the effective delivery and the highest quality of emergency fire and EMS services to the citizens and visitors of Garrett County.
(C) (1) The Emergency Services Board shall develop and recommend to the Board of County Commissioners policies and standard operating procedures for volunteer fire departments and rescue squads in the county, including monitoring of standards relating to training, equipment safety, testing, and fit-testing.
(2) The policies and standard operating procedures recommended by the Garrett County Fire and Rescue Association to the Emergency Services Board and adopted by the Emergency Services Board shall comply with all relevant state and federal agency established standards, policies, practices, and protocols.
(3) Before adopting any proposed policies and standard operating procedures, the Emergency Services Board shall consult with the Garrett County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, Inc., and the Emergency Medical Services Council.
(D) In addition to developing and recommending standards and policies, the Emergency Services Board shall:
(1) Offer assistance in obtaining grant funding, grant preparation, and otherwise provide direction and support for solutions to special funding needs;
(2) Evaluate staffing, dispatch, and communications issues and recommend solutions with input requested by the Garrett County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, Inc.;
(3) In conjunction with the Garrett County Department of Financial Services, ensure that members of the Garrett County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, Inc., remain in compliance with all necessary financial disclosures and the length of service award program eligibility; and
(4) In conjunction with the medical advisor for Garrett County, provide oversight of the quality assurance and improvement programs and activities of the Garrett County Medical Review Board.
(Md. H.B. 733, passed 3-9-2010)