Title 20, Title 20: Internal Security and Public Safety

§ 2965. Application to other states The provisions of this subchapter shall apply with respect to firefighting forces and equipment of other states of the United States that render services in this State in answer to a call for assistance provided that the laws of any such state …

§ 2981. Mutual aid fire protection authorized by municipality A municipality or fire district may vote to authorize its fire department, by its chief or chief engineer, to enter into agreements with such other duly authorized fire departments, or any private and volunteer fire de…

§ 2982. Private and volunteer fire department may enter into mutual aid agreements A private and volunteer fire department may enter into a district fire mutual aid system, which shall be a public municipal corporation, as provided under sections 2986 through 2992 of this title. …

§ 2983. Voting qualifications The qualifications for voting to authorize a municipal fire department to enter into mutual aid agreements shall be the same as those for the election of town officers. (Added 1967, No. 255 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. Feb. 20, 1968.)

§ 2984. Vote on authorization The vote on the question of authorizing a municipal fire department to enter into mutual aid agreements may be by voice vote or by ballot on a question substantially as follows: Article —. To see if the town will authorize its fire department, by its…

§ 2985. State aid in preparation When requested to do so by any fire department, the State Fire Marshal shall aid and assist in the preparation and development of agreements. (Added 1967, No. 255 (Adj. Sess.), § 5, eff. Feb. 20, 1968.)

§ 2986. District fire mutual aid systems; formation of Whenever three or more municipalities within the State vote to authorize their respective fire departments to render outside aid as provided in sections 2981 through 2985 of this title, they may, if they so desire, form a dis…

§ 2987. Organization Upon receipt of a petition pursuant to section 2986 of this subchapter, the State Fire Marshal shall call the first or organization meeting of the system by giving written notice to the chief of each fire department in the system and may invite private fire d…

§ 2988. Powers and duties A district fire mutual aid system shall coordinate the services of all fire departments belonging to it so as to provide better and more efficient cooperation in the protection of life and property against fire and in the case of other accidental or natu…

§ 2989. Joining and withdrawal Additional municipalities within the State may join the system, as provided in sections 2981 through 2985 of this title, and shall be received as members subject to the approval of the board of directors. Municipalities that do not have active fire …

§ 2990. Limitation of liability There shall be no liability imposed by law on the system or on any municipality, on the personnel of its fire department, nor on any private fire department or its personnel, belonging to such a system, for failure to respond or to respond reasonab…

§ 2991. Appropriations Municipalities belonging to such a system may raise and appropriate money for the purposes of the system. The General Assembly may authorize and appropriate money for the purposes of the system. (Added 1967, No. 255 (Adj. Sess.), § 11, eff. Feb. 20, 1968.)

§ 2992. Definition The term “private fire department” includes fire protection organizations operated by industries, institutions, and establishments for self-protection and also nonprofit volunteer fire associations. Nothing contained in this subchapter shall be construed to int…

§ 3061. Possession A person who keeps or suffers to be kept upon premises owned or occupied by him or her, within 50 rods of an inhabited building of another person, more than 50 pounds of gunpowder or nitroglycerine at one time, or more than one pound unless contained in sound c…

§ 3062. Unlawful transportation (a) No person shall transport, carry, or convey from one place in this State to another place in this State dynamite, gunpowder, or other explosive on a vessel or vehicle of any description operated by a common carrier, which vessel or vehicle is c…

§ 3063. Lawful transportation It shall be lawful to transport on such vessel or vehicle small arms; ammunition in any quantity; and such fuses, torpedoes, rockets, or other signal devices, as may be essential to promote safety in operation, and properly packed and marked samples …

§ 3064. Marking packages Every package containing explosives or other dangerous articles when presented to a common carrier for shipment shall have plainly marked on the outside the contents thereof. No person shall deliver or cause to be delivered to a common carrier an explosiv…

§ 3065. Penalties (a) A person who knowingly violates, or causes to be violated, a provision of sections 3062-3064 of this title, or a regulation made by the Public Utility Commission in pursuance thereof, shall be imprisoned not more than 18 months or fined not more than $2,000.…

§ 3071. Possession by employee For the purposes of this division, explosives in the possession of an employee who is acting within the scope of his or her duties shall be considered to be in the possession of the employer. (Added 1971, No. 107, § 10, eff. May 22, 1971.)

§ 3072. Issuance of license (a) Any person who is at least 18 years of age may apply to the Commissioner of Public Safety for a license to possess, purchase, store, use, transport, give, transfer, or sell explosives, as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 1603, in this State for not more than…

§ 3073. Fees The fee for applications for licenses shall be $50.00 for residents of the State and $100.00 for nonresidents. Initial licenses shall be for a term of one year. License renewals shall be for three years for a fee of $75.00 for residents and $150.00 for nonresidents. …

§ 3074. Appeals Any person denied a license for failing to satisfy the requirements enumerated in subsection 3072(b) of this title or whose license is revoked may, within 15 days after the date of the written denial of the person’s application, request a hearing before the Commis…

§ 3075. Rules The Commissioner of Public Safety may adopt rules under 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 to implement the provisions of this division and to govern the storage, transportation, and the manner of use of explosives as defined in 13 V.S.A. § 1603. (Added 1971, No. 107 § 10, eff. Ma…

§ 3076. Penalties Any person convicted of violating the rules adopted under this division or of making a false statement in applying for a license under this division shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. (Added 1971, No. 107, § 1…

§ 3091. Permit No person shall manufacture, possess, use, or transport bombs, commonly called tear bombs, without first securing a written permit from the Commissioner of Public Safety. Such permits shall be of such form and conditions and for such length of time as the Commissio…

§ 3092. Penalties A person who violates the provisions of section 3091 of this title may be fined not more than $1,000.00 or imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year, or both. (Amended 1981, No. 223 (Adj. Sess.), § 23.)

§ 3131. Definitions As used in this subchapter, the term “fireworks” means any combustible or explosive composition, or any substance or combination of substances, or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagrati…

§ 3132. Prohibitions; permits (a) Except as provided in this section, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm, co-partnership, or corporation to do any of the following: (1) Offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail or wholesale, or possess fireworks unless the person has…

§ 3133. Permitted uses (a) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to prohibit the use of fireworks by railroads, other transportation agencies, or law enforcement officers for signal purposes or illumination; the sale or use of blank cartridges for a show or theatre, for s…

§ 3134. Seizure The State Fire Marshal, the Fire Marshal’s deputy, a State Police officer, a sheriff, a deputy sheriff, a police officer, or a constable may seize articles held by a person in violation of this subchapter and hold the articles subject to the order of the court tak…

§ 3135. Penalties Any person, firm, co-partnership, or corporation that: (1) Violates this subchapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to a fine of not more than $100.00 for each violation or imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both. (2) Presents an indoor firewo…

§ 3136. Construction Being in the interest of public safety, the provisions of this subchapter shall be liberally construed.

§ 3151. Definitions For the purposes of this chapter: (1) “Council” means the Vermont Fire Service Training Council. (2) “Fire service” means activities related to fire prevention, investigation, or suppression, or fire-related rescue. (3) “Firefighter” means a member of a State,…

§ 3152. Vermont Fire Service Training Council created (a) The Vermont Fire Service Training Council is created. The Council shall consist of 12 members. The Commissioner of Labor; the Commissioner of Public Safety; the Director of Fire Safety; the Commissioner of Forests, Parks a…

§ 3153. Powers and duties (a) The Council shall: (1) Establish by rules adopted pursuant to 3 V.S.A. chapter 25: (A) Minimum basic training courses for full-time firefighters and minimum basic training courses that shall be made available, on a voluntary basis, to other firefight…

§ 3154. Chief Fire Service Training Officer; powers and duties (a) Subject to the approval of the Governor, the Commissioner of Public Safety shall appoint a Chief Fire Service Training Officer. The Commissioner shall seek the recommendation of the Council before selecting a Chie…

§ 3155. Training required (a) A full-time firefighter shall complete a minimum basic training course approved by the Council and the continuing training required by the Council for recertification in the time and manner prescribed by the Council. (b) Upon written request from a c…

§ 3157. Division of Fire Safety Special Fund The Division of Fire Safety Special Fund is established. The Fund shall be administered by the Commissioner of Public Safety. Payments from the Fund may be made to support training programs and activities authorized by this chapter, ma…

§ 3171. Definitions As used in this chapter: (1) “Board” means the Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit Review Board. (2) “Child” means a natural or legally adopted child, regardless of age. (3) “Emergency personnel” means: (A) firefighters as defined in subdivision 3151(3) of t…

§ 3172. Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit Review Board (a) There is created the Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit Review Board, which shall consist of the State Treasurer or designee, the Attorney General or designee, the Chief Fire Service Training Officer of the Vermont…

§ 3173. Monetary benefit (a) The survivors of emergency personnel who dies while in the line of duty or from an occupation-related illness may apply for a payment of $80,000.00 from the State. (b) The State Treasurer shall disburse from the Special Fund established in section 317…

§ 3174. Board standards; guidelines; procedures (a) The Board shall adopt standards, guidelines, and procedures for: (1) determining whether and how monetary benefits shall be paid under this chapter; (2) what information must initially be filed with a claim under this chapter; a…

§ 3175. Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit Special Fund (a) The Emergency Personnel Survivors Benefit Special Fund is established in the Office of the State Treasurer for the purpose of the payment of claims distributed pursuant to this chapter. The Fund shall comprise appropr…

§ 3201. Definitions As used in this subchapter: (1) “Animal” has the same meaning as in 13 V.S.A. § 351, provided that the animals or activities regulated under this chapter shall not apply to: (A) activities regulated by the Department of Fish and Wildlife pursuant to 10 V.S.A. …

§ 3202. Establishment of Division of Animal Welfare; powers and duties (a)(1) The Division of Animal Welfare is established within the Department of Public Safety. The Commissioner of Public Safety shall appoint a Director of Animal Welfare who shall be in immediate charge of the…

§ 3203. Animal Welfare Fund (a) The Animal Welfare Fund is established within the Department of Public Safety to fund the expenses incurred by the Division of Animal Welfare in implementing the requirements of this chapter. The Director of Animal Welfare shall administer the Fund…