A bill authored by State Sen. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, that improves Hoosier firefighters’ health and safety recently was signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
Senate Enrolled Act 258 requires the Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education to establish best practices to improve safety and health outcomes for firefighters.
In recognition of the safer work environments created by adoption of the best practices, the bill also authorizes the workers’ compensation rating bureau to provide a premium or rate discount on workers’ compensation insurance to political subdivisions and volunteer fire departments that implement the best practices.
Additionally, the bill creates the Best Practices Fund for the purpose of providing matching grants to political subdivisions and volunteer fire department to purchase equipment and other gear so they may implement the best practices.