{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/9.1-203.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/9.1-203.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/9.1-203.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/9.1-203.html"}],"law_id":73091,"edition_id":1,"section_id":73091,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-203","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Virginia Fire Services Board; limitation","history":"1978, c. 606, \u00a7 9-155; 1981, c. 154; 1984, c. 734; 1986, c. 60; 1988, c. 133; 1997, c. 791; 2001, c. 844; 2012, cc. 164, 456; 2014, cc. 115, 490; 2018, c. 403.","full_text":"A\n\nThe Board shall have the responsibility for promoting the coordination of the efforts of fire service organizations at the state and local levels. To these ends, it shall have the following powers and duties to:1\n\nEnsure the development and implementation of the Virginia Fire Prevention and Control Plan;2\n\nReview and approve a five-year statewide plan for fire education and training;3\n\nApprove the criteria for and disbursement of any grant funds received from the federal government and any agencies thereof and any other source and to disburse such funds in accordance therewith;4\n\nProvide technical assistance and advice to local fire departments, other fire services organizations, and local governments through Fire and Emergency Medical Services studies done in conjunction with the Department of Fire Programs;5\n\nAdvise the Department of Fire Programs on and adopt personnel standards for fire services personnel;6\n\nAdvise the Department of Fire Programs on the Commonwealth’s statewide plan for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data relating to fires in the Commonwealth;7\n\nMake recommendations to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security concerning legislation affecting fire prevention and protection and fire services organizations in Virginia;8\n\nEvaluate all fire prevention and protection programs and make any recommendations deemed necessary to improve the level of fire prevention and protection in the Commonwealth;9\n\nAdvise the Department of Fire Programs on the Statewide Fire Prevention Code;10\n\nInvestigate alternative means of financial support for volunteer fire departments and advise jurisdictions regarding the implementation of such alternatives; and11\n\nDevelop a modular training program for volunteer firefighters for adoption by local volunteer fire departments that shall include (i) Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II certification pursuant to standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association and (ii) an online training program.B\n\nExcept for those policies established in § 38.2-401, compliance with the provisions of § 9.1-201 and this section and any policies or guidelines enacted pursuant thereto shall be optional with, and at the full discretion of, any local governing body and any volunteer fire department or volunteer fire departments operating under the same corporate charters.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":263195,"text":"The Board shall have the responsibility for promoting the coordination of the efforts of fire service organizations at the state and local levels. To these ends, it shall have the following powers and duties to:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":263196,"text":"Ensure the development and implementation of the Virginia Fire Prevention and Control Plan;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":263197,"text":"Review and approve a five-year statewide plan for fire education and training;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":263198,"text":"Approve the criteria for and disbursement of any grant funds received from the federal government and any agencies thereof and any other source and to disburse such funds in accordance therewith;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"A4"},"4":{"id":263199,"text":"Provide technical assistance and advice to local fire departments, other fire services organizations, and local governments through Fire and Emergency Medical Services studies done in conjunction with the Department of Fire Programs;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"A4","prefix_anchor":"A4","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"A5"},"5":{"id":263200,"text":"Advise the Department of Fire Programs on and adopt personnel standards for fire services personnel;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"A5","prefix_anchor":"A5","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A4","next_prefix":"A6"},"6":{"id":263201,"text":"Advise the Department of Fire Programs on the Commonwealth’s statewide plan for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data relating to fires in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"A6","prefix_anchor":"A6","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A5","next_prefix":"A7"},"7":{"id":263202,"text":"Make recommendations to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security concerning legislation affecting fire prevention and protection and fire services organizations in Virginia;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"A7","prefix_anchor":"A7","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A6","next_prefix":"A8"},"8":{"id":263203,"text":"Evaluate all fire prevention and protection programs and make any recommendations deemed necessary to improve the level of fire prevention and protection in the Commonwealth;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"A8","prefix_anchor":"A8","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A7","next_prefix":"A9"},"9":{"id":263204,"text":"Advise the Department of Fire Programs on the Statewide Fire Prevention Code;","type":"section","prefixes":["A","9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"A9","prefix_anchor":"A9","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A8","next_prefix":"A10"},"10":{"id":263205,"text":"Investigate alternative means of financial support for volunteer fire departments and advise jurisdictions regarding the implementation of such alternatives; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","10"],"prefix":"10","entire_prefix":"A10","prefix_anchor":"A10","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A9","next_prefix":"A11"},"11":{"id":263206,"text":"Develop a modular training program for volunteer firefighters for adoption by local volunteer fire departments that shall include (i) Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II certification pursuant to standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association and (ii) an online training program.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","11"],"prefix":"11","entire_prefix":"A11","prefix_anchor":"A11","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A10","next_prefix":"B"},"12":{"id":263207,"text":"Except for those policies established in § 38.2-401, compliance with the provisions of § 9.1-201 and this section and any policies or guidelines enacted pursuant thereto shall be optional with, and at the full discretion of, any local governing body and any volunteer fire department or volunteer fire departments operating under the same corporate charters.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A11"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14379,"edition_id":1,"name":"Department of Fire Programs","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12896,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:47:56","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:47:56","permalink":{"id":285213,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14379,"identifier":"2","token":"9.1\/2","url":"\/9.1\/2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12896,"edition_id":1,"name":"Commonwealth Public Safety","identifier":"9.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:59","permalink":{"id":284487,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12896,"identifier":"9.1","token":"9.1","url":"\/9.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":55713,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-200","catch_line":"Department of Fire Programs","url":"\/9.1-200\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-200","metadata":false},{"id":81197,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-201","catch_line":"Powers of Executive Director","url":"\/9.1-201\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-201","metadata":false},{"id":70294,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-202","catch_line":"Virginia Fire Services Board; membership; terms; compensation","url":"\/9.1-202\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-202","metadata":false},{"id":73091,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-203","catch_line":"Powers and duties of Virginia Fire Services Board; limitation","url":"\/9.1-203\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203","metadata":false},{"id":72049,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-203.1","catch_line":"Firefighter mental health awareness training","url":"\/9.1-203.1\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203.1","metadata":false},{"id":73710,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-203.2","catch_line":"Firefighter Alzheimer's disease and dementia training","url":"\/9.1-203.2\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203.2","metadata":false},{"id":81623,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-204","catch_line":"Fire service training facilities; allocation of funds therefor","url":"\/9.1-204\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-204","metadata":false},{"id":59417,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-205","catch_line":"Thermal Imaging Camera Grant Fund established","url":"\/9.1-205\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-205","metadata":false},{"id":81472,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-206","catch_line":"State Fire Marshal; qualifications; powers and duties; power to arrest, to procure and serve warrants, and to issue summonses; limitation on authority","url":"\/9.1-206\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-206","metadata":false},{"id":80241,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-207","catch_line":"Inspection of certain state-owned, state-operated, or state-licensed facilities; enforcement of safety standards","url":"\/9.1-207\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-207","metadata":false},{"id":64299,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-207.1","catch_line":"Firefighting foam management","url":"\/9.1-207.1\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-207.1","metadata":false},{"id":76201,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-207.2","catch_line":"Prohibition on use of certain oriented strand board","url":"\/9.1-207.2\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-207.2","metadata":false},{"id":75851,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-208","catch_line":"Agreements between Department and other agencies","url":"\/9.1-208\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-208","metadata":false},{"id":78080,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-208.1","catch_line":"Volunteer Fire Department Training Fund","url":"\/9.1-208.1\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-208.1","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":70294,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-202","catch_line":"Virginia Fire Services Board; membership; terms; compensation","url":"\/9.1-202\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-202","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":72049,"structure_id":14379,"section_number":"9.1-203.1","catch_line":"Firefighter mental health awareness training","url":"\/9.1-203.1\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203.1","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/9.1-203\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1978. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 606 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1978 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 9 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1981, chapter 154; in 1984, chapter 734; in 1986, chapter 60; in 1988, chapter 133; in 1997, chapter 791<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 844<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 164<\/a> and 456<\/a>; in 2014, chapters 115<\/a> and 490<\/a>; in 2018, chapter 403<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":[{"id":76092,"section_number":"38.2-401","catch_line":"(Effective July 1, 2026) Fire Programs Fund","order_by":null,"url":"\/38.2-401\/"},{"id":81197,"section_number":"9.1-201","catch_line":"Powers of Executive Director","order_by":null,"url":"\/9.1-201\/"}],"permalink":{"id":285227,"object_type":"law","relational_id":73091,"identifier":"9.1-203","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203","url":"\/9.1-203\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/9.1-203\/","token":"9.1\/2\/9.1-203","dublin_core":{"Title":"Powers and duties of Virginia Fire Services Board; limitation","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 9.1-203","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The Board shall have the responsibility for promoting the coordination of the efforts of fire service organizations at the state and local levels. To these ends, it shall have the following powers and duties to: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Ensure the development and implementation of the Virginia Fire Prevention and Control Plan; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Review and approve a five-year statewide plan for fire education and training; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Approve the criteria for and disbursement of any grant funds received from the federal government and any agencies thereof and any other source and to disburse such funds in accordance therewith; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Provide technical assistance and advice to local fire departments, other fire services organizations, and local governments through Fire and Emergency Medical Services studies done in conjunction with the Department of Fire Programs; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Advise the Department of Fire Programs on and adopt personnel standards for fire services personnel; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Advise the Department of Fire Programs on the Commonwealth’s statewide plan for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data relating to fires in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Make recommendations to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security concerning legislation affecting fire prevention and protection and fire services organizations in Virginia; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Evaluate all fire prevention and protection programs and make any recommendations deemed necessary to improve the level of fire prevention and protection in the Commonwealth; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Advise the Department of Fire Programs on the Statewide Fire Prevention Code; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

10.<\/span> Investigate alternative means of financial support for volunteer fire departments and advise jurisdictions<\/span> regarding the implementation of such alternatives; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

11.<\/span> Develop a modular training program for volunteer firefighters for adoption by local volunteer fire departments that shall include (i) Fire Fighter I and Fire Fighter II certification pursuant to standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association and (ii) an online training program. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Except for those policies established in § 38.2-401<\/a>, compliance with the provisions of § 9.1-201<\/a> and this section and any policies or guidelines enacted pursuant thereto shall be optional with, and at the full discretion of, any local governing body and any volunteer fire department or volunteer fire departments operating under the same corporate charters. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOWERS AND DUTIES OF VIRGINIA FIRE SERVICES BOARD; LIMITATION (\u00a7 9.1-203)\n\nA. The Board shall have the responsibility for promoting the coordination of the\nefforts of fire service organizations at the state and local levels. To these\nends, it shall have the following powers and duties to:\n\n 1. Ensure the development and implementation of the Virginia Fire Prevention\n and Control Plan;\n\n 2. Review and approve a five-year statewide plan for fire education and\n training;\n\n 3. Approve the criteria for and disbursement of any grant funds received from\n the federal government and any agencies thereof and any other source and to\n disburse such funds in accordance therewith;\n\n 4. Provide technical assistance and advice to local fire departments, other\n fire services organizations, and local governments through Fire and Emergency\n Medical Services studies done in conjunction with the Department of Fire\n Programs;\n\n 5. Advise the Department of Fire Programs on and adopt personnel standards for\n fire services personnel;\n\n 6. Advise the Department of Fire Programs on the Commonwealth’s\n statewide plan for the collection, analysis, and reporting of data relating to\n fires in the Commonwealth;\n\n 7. Make recommendations to the Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland\n Security concerning legislation affecting fire prevention and protection and\n fire services organizations in Virginia;\n\n 8. Evaluate all fire prevention and protection programs and make any\n recommendations deemed necessary to improve the level of fire prevention and\n protection in the Commonwealth;\n\n 9. Advise the Department of Fire Programs on the Statewide Fire Prevention\n Code;\n\n 10. Investigate alternative means of financial support for volunteer fire\n departments and advise jurisdictions regarding the implementation of such\n alternatives; and\n\n 11. Develop a modular training program for volunteer firefighters for adoption\n by local volunteer fire departments that shall include (i) Fire Fighter I and\n Fire Fighter II certification pursuant to standards developed by the National\n Fire Protection Association and (ii) an online training program.\n\nB. Except for those policies established in § 38.2-401, compliance with the\nprovisions of § 9.1-201 and this section and any policies or guidelines\nenacted pursuant thereto shall be optional with, and at the full discretion of,\nany local governing body and any volunteer fire department or volunteer fire\ndepartments operating under the same corporate charters.\n\nHISTORY: 1978, c. 606, \u00a7 9-155; 1981, c. 154; 1984, c. 734; 1986, c. 60; 1988,\nc. 133; 1997, c. 791; 2001, c. 844; 2012, cc. 164, 456; 2014, cc. 115, 490;\n2018, c. 403.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}