A West Michigan fire chief said proposed changes on training firefighters, under Michigan Public Act 291, have him worried.
Richland Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Gerald Leudecking said he believes the proposed changes could be devastating to volunteer staffs.
"They want all firefighters in Michigan to have 12 hours of training a year, which isn't bad, but they want it to be by a service instructor that's approved by licensing and regulations out of Lansing," Leudecking said.
The fire marshal for the state of Michigan, Kevin Sehlmeyer disagreed. He said Leudecking misinterpreted the proposals.
"That's not the case. That training can be done in house, in his township, by anyone he deems as being the appropriate person to conduct the training," Sehlmeyer said.