Modification to the State Construction Code Act

House Bill 4561, which would reduce updates to Michigan’s building, electrical, mechanical and other state codes from every three years to every six years, is coming up for a hearing on Thursday, April 26 at 12:30 p.m. in Lansing. The hearing will be in room 110 of the Farnum Building, 123 West Allegan Street, across from the Capitol.

This Bill received approval from the House in December and was forwarded to the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee for consideration.

The members of this committee are:

• Chairman Tory Rocca, R-Sterling Heights (Macomb County)
• Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge (Eaton County)
• Sen. Joe Hune, R-Hamburg (Livingston County)
• Sen. Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive (Ottawa County)
• Sen. Phil Pavlov, R-St. Clair (St. Clair County)
• Sen. Bert Johnston, D-Highland Park (Wayne County)
• Sen. Rebecca Warren, D-Ann Arbor (Washtenaw County)

The MFIS has been monitoring this bill closely and in the past members have testified to the House Committee to encourage them to vote against this bill.  The change would impact our construction cycle and limit the use of technology, improved safety provisions and force us to use antiquated codes in the built environment.

Please contact your legislator or one of the above committee members and advise them you are against this bill and how it will greatly hurt the new construction in Michigan.  The bill will pose a danger to our firefighters by limiting new code changes that are intended for occupant and firefighter safety!   In addition this will have a drastic affect on our ISO ratings and those building departments who are accredited through ISO.

Some resources for you

• HB 4561
• Coalition Web-Site

**Change in Date**

It is time to make your voices heard in Lansing!

Due to the legislative calendar the date for the Awareness day was moved, please change your calender and make a note of it!

On September 10th, we hope you will join the Michigan Fire Services Coalition in Lansing to talk to your legislators about the importance of adequately funding the fire services in Michigan. As discussion continues at the capitol about further reducing revenue sharing we need to let the legislators know about the devastating impacts those cuts will have to the safety of the citizens of Michigan.

There is no cost to members of fire and rescue who’d like to participate.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Michigan State Capitol, Lansing, MI

Schedule:

• 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Registration
• 9:00 – 3:00 p.m. Presentations on the lawn of the capitol, Driving Simulator, Burn Cell, EMS, Hazmat, Tech Rescue, Dive Team
• 9:00 – 1:00 p.m. Visit your Legislators office.
• 11:30 – 1:30 p.m. Lunch with Legislators & Staff

Send registration to:

Kelley CawthorneAttn: Melissa Yutzey
208 N. Capitol Ave., 3rd Floor
Lansing, MI 48933
Fax: (517) 371-3207
E-mail: mfsc@mpffu.org

Registration Deadline: September 3, 2009

Fire Service Coalition – Michigan Fire & Rescue Awareness Day Registration Form