In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Commission” means the Maryland Fire–Rescue Education and Training Commission. “Emergency services” means fire, rescue, and ambulance services. “Schools” means the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, any emergency services training academy operated by any city, county, or municipal government, any community college offering emergency services education and training courses, any public school offering emergency services education and training courses, and any private or governmental institution or body providing emergency services education and training courses.

There is a Maryland Fire-Rescue Education and Training Commission in the Maryland Higher Education Commission. The Commission consists of 13 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Of the members: Each shall be qualified to deal with the matters within the authority of the Commission; Six shall be volunteer emergency services personnel or instructors; Three shall be emergency services instructors who are career personnel representing the academies; Three shall be career emergency services personnel who are not instructors; and One shall be a member of the general public. Each member serves for a term of 4 years and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. These terms are staggered as required by the terms of the members serving on July 1, 1978. A member appointed to fill a vacancy in an unexpired term serves only for the remainder of that term and until a successor is appointed and qualifies. A member may be removed by the Governor: For neglect of duty; or If the Governor believes the member’s continued membership is not in the public interest. Each member of the Commission: Serves without compensation; but Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses in accordance with the Standard State Travel Regulations. The Governor shall designate one of the members of the Commission as the chairman of the Commission. The chairman serves at the pleasure of the Governor. Each year, the Commission shall elect a vice chairman and any other officer it requires. The Commission: Shall meet at least once every 2 months; May meet at any other time the chairman designates; and May adopt rules for the conduct of its meetings. A quorum consists of 7 members, one of whom shall be the chairman or vice chairman.

Subject to the authority of the Secretary, the Commission shall: Keep minutes of its meetings and any other records it considers necessary; Cooperate with and assist schools in coordinating and improving all emergency services education and training activities; Cooperate with the University of Maryland in developing a program for accrediting emergency services instructors; Consult with emergency services instructors and personnel to develop minimum uniform education and training standards for emergency services instructors, personnel, and schools; Cooperate with schools to help standardize course content and reciprocity of college credits for emergency services education and training; Cooperate with appropriate government agencies to develop and maintain a current master plan for emergency services education and training; Cooperate with the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute to develop and operate a system for collecting, analyzing, and exchanging information on emergency services education and training; Encourage, promote, and review new techniques, methods, and procedures for emergency services; Cooperate with and review material from other states and federal agencies on emergency services education and training; Recommend to the Secretary rules and regulations necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes and objectives of the Commission; Review any proposed or adopted national standards or certification programs for emergency services and recommend to the Secretary the actions that should be taken regarding them; Prepare an annual report on the activities of the Commission to the Secretary, the Governor, and, subject to § 2-1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly; and Provide a place of storage for the records of the Commission and the original Governor’s Commission on Fire Services. The Maryland Higher Education Commission shall provide staff services for the Commission.