(a) There is established a Commission on Fire Prevention and Control to consist of twelve members appointed by the Governor. The State Fire Marshal or his or her designee and the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities or his or her designee shall serve as ex-officio, voting members of said commission. Of the twelve members appointed by the Governor, two shall represent The Connecticut State Firefighter’s Association, two shall represent the Connecticut Fire Chiefs Association, two shall represent the Uniformed Professional Firefighters of the International Association of Firefighters, AFL-CIO, two shall represent the Connecticut Fire Marshals Association, two shall represent the Connecticut Fire Department Instructors Association and two shall represent the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities.

(b) On or before July fifteenth, annually, each organization to be represented on said commission shall submit to the Governor a list of nominees for appointment to said commission, which list the Governor may use when making appointments to said commission. On or before September 1, 1975, the Governor shall appoint eight members of said commission to serve for a term of three years and on or before September 1, 1976, he shall appoint four members for a term of one year. Thereafter he shall appoint members to said commission, to replace those whose terms have expired, to serve for three years. Persons appointed to said commission shall be qualified, by experience or education, in the fields of fire protection, fire prevention, fire suppression, fire fighting and related fields.

(c) The commission shall meet at such times and at such places as it deems proper. Said commission shall elect from its membership a chairman, vice chairman and secretary who shall serve a one year term commencing on October first of the year in which they are elected, provided nothing contained herein shall prevent their reelection to such office. No member of said commission shall receive compensation for such member’s services.

(d) Members of the commission shall not be considered as holding public office solely by virtue of their membership on said commission.

(e) The commission shall be within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.