00                   SENATE CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 56(STA)                                                                 
01 "An Act establishing Alaska Firefighters' Day."                                                                         
02 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
03    * Section 1. The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section                          
04 to read:                                                                                                                
05       LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT. (a) The legislature finds that it is an                                          
06 appropriate observance of Alaska Firefighters' Day to recognize and honor posthumously the                              
07 27 fallen Alaska firefighters, both career and volunteer, who have made the ultimate sacrifice                          
08 in the line of duty, as well as all other emergency medical and rescue personnel who have                               
09 made that profound sacrifice.                                                                                           
10       (b)  In establishing Alaska Firefighters' Day, it is the intent of the legislature to                             
11 recognize                                                                                                               
12            (1)  all of the heroic and dedicated firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical                             
13 technicians, search and rescue personnel, chaplains, and countless others beyond the field of                           
14 active law enforcement who place themselves in harm's way to serve the state and its people;                            
15            (2)  the service of the approximate 1,500 career municipal, wildland, and                                    

01 airport firefighters in the state; and                                                                                  
02            (3)  the service of the approximate 6,000 volunteer municipal, village, and                                  
03 wildland firefighters in the state.                                                                                   
04    * Sec. 2. AS 44.12 is amended by adding a new section to article 2 to read:                                        
05            Sec. 44.12.140. Alaska Firefighters' Day. Alaska Firefighters' Day is                                      
06       established on the Sunday preceding October 9 each year to honor firefighters in the                              
07       state. If October 9 falls on a Sunday, then Alaska Firefighters' Day is on October 9.                             
08       Alaska Firefighters' Day may be observed by suitable observances and exercises by                                 
09       civic groups and the public.