Posted on May 20, 2024
Hartford- Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed Public Act 24-14 (formerly H.B. No. 5404, An Act Concerning Military Training and Experience and the Driver’s License Endorsement to Operate Fire Apparatus) into law this week after the bill gained overwhelming support in the state legislature during the 2024 legislative session. This new law will help streamline the bureaucracy on certifications for active-duty military personnel and fire departments regarding Q license endorsements by granting reciprocity with the proper military certifications. Active-duty military personnel and recent veterans would have the opportunity to apply their skills locally, by operating fire apparatus with departments across Connecticut.
The law applies to both paid and volunteer fire departments across Connecticut. This bill offers the opportunity for our veterans and service members to continue serving their communities locally which will assist local departments with recruiting new volunteers with a history of service.
“I would like to thank Governor Lamont for his support in signing this bill into law which is going to really benefit our veterans, fire departments, and communities across our state,” said Rep. Lanoue. “ So many people advocated for this bill from local veterans and firefighters to state legislators on both sides of the aisle. When the work began in the Veterans Committee, House Republican Ranking member Kurt Vail, House Chair Anthony Nolan, along with Vice-Chair Hubert Delany really helped this bill move along from its early stages. Through a public hearing and floor debates on this bill, we earned far-reaching bipartisan support. This is a good day for Connecticut.”
Among those who testified at the March public hearing was volunteer firefighter and Army veteran William Leuck, who enthusiastically supported the idea for this new bill.
“This law closes a gap in providing equivalency from military training and certification to a civilian licensing endorsement which I feel will absolutely help enrollment in fire departments across Connecticut,” said William Leuck. “Instead of a qualified service member or veteran having to acquire a CDL with all the additional restrictions to be eligible to operate emergency fire apparatus, starting in October, they can now request endorsement from DMV based on qualified military driving experience. This will assist career and volunteer fire departments in recruiting service members and veterans who already have answered the call to serve and wish to expand their selfless service to the more local community.”
The legislation was part of State Representative Brian Lanoue’s 2024 legislative priorities that focused on helping families, first responders, and veterans throughout Connecticut.
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State Representative Brian Lanoue proudly represents the 45th General Assembly District which includes the towns of Griswold, Ledyard, Lisbon, Preston, and Voluntown.