A. The “fire services council” is created to advise the state fire marshal’s office on fire and emergency services policy. The council consists of ten members as follows:

Terms Used In New Mexico Statutes 59A-52-27

  • President pro tempore: A constitutionally recognized officer of the Senate who presides over the chamber in the absence of the Vice President. The President Pro Tempore (or, "president for a time") is elected by the Senate and is, by custom, the Senator of the majority party with the longest record of continuous service.
  • Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
  • Quorum: The number of legislators that must be present to do business.

(1)     the presiding officer or designee of each of the: (a) New Mexico fire chiefs association;

(b) fire and emergency managers affiliate of New Mexico counties; (c) New Mexico state firefighters association;

(d) New Mexico emergency medical technician association;

(e) New Mexico fire marshals association; (f) metro fire chiefs association; and

(g) New Mexico professional fire fighters association; (2)     one person appointed by the governor;

(3)     one person appointed by the president pro tempore of the senate; and

(4)     one person appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

B. The fire services council shall select from among its members a chair and vice chair, who shall serve one-year terms. No member shall serve as chair or vice chair for more than two consecutive years.

C. The fire services council shall meet as frequently as necessary to conduct business or hold hearings but no less than four times per year. A majority of members of the council constitutes a quorum.

D. Council members shall be reimbursed for their per diem and mileage expenses in accordance with the Per Diem and Mileage Act N.M. Stat. Ann. § 10-8-1 to 10-8-8. Council members shall otherwise serve without compensation.

E. The fire services council is subject to the Inspection of Public Records Act [N.M. Stat. Ann. Chapter 14, Article 2] and the Open Meetings Act [N.M. Stat. Ann. Chapter 10, Article 15]. Individual members of the fire services council are subject to the Governmental Conduct Act [N.M. Stat. Ann. Chapter 10, Article 16] and the Financial Disclosure Act N.M. Stat. Ann. § 10-16A-1 to 10-16A-8.

F. An employee of the state fire marshal’s office who serves as staff for the fire services council shall not reveal to any person, except another council staff person, any requests or statements disclosed in confidence by a council member, except that this restriction shall not apply to any disclosure that is:

(1)     protected pursuant to the Whistleblower Protection Act [10-16C-1 to 10- 16C-4 NMSA 1978]; or

(2)     required by law.

  Previous section
Next section  
 Article 52 Contents