Boards and Commissions
Upcoming Meetings
Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission
The Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission (Commission) is a 12-member commission established in Indiana Code 22-12-2 that meets monthly to conduct its business. In general, the commission is tasked with: (1) creating a statewide code of fire safety laws and building laws; (2) reviewing variance requests to codes it has adopted; (3) reviewing petitions or proposals to modify its building and fire safety laws; and (4) reviewing orders enforcing fire and building safety laws.
The Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission is currently considering a proposal to allow the use of a copy of ASME 17.1 for the Indiana Elevator Mechanic’s Exam. Currently, this material is not allowed to be referenced during the examination. ASME 17.1 covers 25 of the 160 questions on the exam. The Commission is accepting public comment from interested parties until 5 p.m. Eastern on Sept. 27, 2023. Public comment will be collected and published in the Oct. 3, 2023, meeting materials (see below). All public comments should be directed to buildingcommission@dhs.in.gov. Interested parties are also welcome to attend the October 2023 meeting to make additional commentary and discussion at the discretion of the chairman.
Members
HEA 1575 Update - Ordinances and Code Change Proposals
In 2023, the Indiana General Assembly enacted HEA 1575 which significantly changed the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission and programs it administers. The information contained here provides an overview of the impacts of this legislation on building and fire safety ordinances and represents the position of IDHS that, in general, provisions of ordinances that establish substantive building and fire safety laws, outside of mere incorporation of the rules of the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, are unenforceable and may not be adopted. However, HEA 1575 did not eliminate the authority of local jurisdictions to adopt and enforce administrative provisions in building and fire safety ordinances, which include, among other things: (1) the establishment of departments; (2) the requirement to obtain a building permit or plan review; (3) the creation of inspection schedules; (4) the establishment of fines; or (5) the creation of an order review process. Additionally, this legislation did not remove the requirement for local jurisdictions to require compliance with the rules of the Commission.
In effect, this legislation has created a framework where the substantive building and fire safety laws that are enforced throughout Indiana are the unamended rules of the Commission. The Commission no longer reviews or approves ordinances, and any modification of the standards set by the Commission (e.g., new, more detailed, or heightened requirements) may only be completed through Commission rulemaking. In place of the repealed ordinance review program, Indiana Code 22-12-2.5-5 and 22-13-2-5.6 now establish processes by which local jurisdictions may petition the Commission to modify its rules.
Please be aware, the statements made here solely represent the position of IDHS on this issue and are not binding. All initial determinations concerning whether specific ordinance provisions remain enforceable are left to the local unit of government administering the ordinance. It is strongly encouraged that impacted parties consult independent legal counsel to determine how this legislation impacts them.
Subcommittees
- Indiana Electrical Code Update Committee
- Indiana Elevator Code Committee
- Indiana Exploratory Committee for Code Updates
Meetings
Variance applicants, submitters and other stakeholders with essential business before the Commission may be afforded the opportunity to participate in meetings and address the Commission. However, direct participation in the Commission's meetings is not mandatory, and testimony is afforded at the discretion of the Commission's chair.
If your variance application has been "tabled" by the Commission or if you have received notice that IDHS has "referred" your variance application to the Commission for determination, please contact staff at variances@dhs.in.gov with any questions or concerns. Questions or concerns regarding any other business before the Commission should be directed to buildingcommission@dhs.in.gov.
View previously submitted code comments and proposals.
Documents/Resources
- 2020 Indiana Residential Code Adoption and Implementation
- Administrative Review of Order by a Board or Commission
- Code Comments and Proposals Web Form
- Contacts for Code Education Classes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Ice/Water Shield and Drip Edge Information
- Meeting Materials
- Meeting Minutes
- Non-Rule Policies
- Requests for Written Interpretations
- Rules of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission
- Variances
- Written Interpretations of the Commission's Rules
Policies
EMS Commission
The Indiana Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Commission is a 14-member commission established in Indiana Code 16-31-2 that meets bimonthly to conduct its business. The commission is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of an effective system of emergency medical services. This includes the necessary equipment, personnel and facilities to ensure that all emergency patients receive prompt and adequate medical care throughout the range of emergency conditions encountered. The commission works to meet this mandate through the development of administrative codes and rules regulating Indiana's EMS system as well as the provision of consultative services; promotion of training for emergency medical personnel; education of the public in first aid techniques; and coordination of emergency communications resources. The EMS Commission is also responsible for the regulation, inspection and certification of services, facilities and personnel engaged in the provision of emergency medical services.
Members*
*Commission currently has one vacancy (public representative).
Subcommittees
Meetings
Documents
Policies
- EMS Fatigue Recommendations
- EMS Commission Electronic Meeting Policy
- Honorary Recognition Guidelines
- Scope of Practice
Rules
By law, all requests for waiver of EMS rules are considered by IDHS initially subject to appeal to the EMS Commission for review. Waiver requests may be sent to dhscertifications@dhs.in.gov.
Pending Rules
- EMS Compact: Amendment of the Interstate Commission for Emergency Medical Services Personnel Practice
Final Rules
All final rules become part of the Indiana Administrative Code and are accessible from the IAC Title 836 webpage.
Non-Rule Policies, Interpretations
- EMS - Trauma Triage and Transport Destination Protocol
- Overview of three new non-rule policies (Feb. 2022)
The following are non-rule policies and policy interpretations by the EMS Commission.
- Acquisition and transmission of 12-lead as basic life support
- Certification renewal dishonesty
- Clarifying "in the ACS verification process"
- EMS continuing education
- Limitation on automatic transport ventilators as basic life support
- Managing IV infusion pumps or ventilators during transport
- Medication substitution
- Organization late application submissions
- Requirement of EMT for ALS transport in unplanned surge capacity situations
Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education
The Board of Firefighting Personnel Standards and Education (BFPSE) has the responsibility for establishing the rules and regulations for voluntary training for fire service and, for some specialized training, non-fire service personnel in Indiana, including setting criteria for certification of firefighters at different levels of education within the state. The board operates under the authority of Indiana Code 22-14-2-7. The board has taken a very proactive approach to fire service training and has placed Indiana in the forefront of certifications offered.
All variance requests or issues for the board must be emailed to firefighterboard@dhs.in.gov for it to go on the agenda. The agenda will close 15 days prior to the board meeting. Anything received after that time will go to the following board meeting.
Members
Meetings
Documents
Policies
Indiana Emergency Response Commission
The Indiana Emergency Response Commission (IERC) was established pursuant to Indiana and federal law to implement the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA) (also referred to as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA)).The IERC's duties include: establishing procedures for receiving and processing public requests for information collected under EPCRA, reviewing local emergency response plans, designating local emergency planning districts, appointing a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for each district and supervising the activities of the LEPCs. The IERC operates under the authority of Indiana Code 13-25-1 and 13-25-2. It consists of 13 members: four state agency representatives and nine governor appointees who represent local government, the public and business and industry. The commission meets bimonthly.
ierc@dhs.in.gov 
Submit a support request
Members*
Last updated: 9/27/23.
*Commission currently has two vacancies.
Subcommittees
Meetings
View previously submitted support requests.
Documents/Resources
- IERC Bylaws
- IERC Handbook
- IERC Members and Staff
- IERC Policies
- Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs)
- Meeting Minutes
- SARA Title III Reporting: Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know
Policies
Indiana Secured School Safety Board
The Indiana Secured School Safety Board was established to approve or disapprove applications for matching grants through the Secured School Safety Grant Program. Per Indiana Code 10-21-1-3, the board shall establish criteria to be used in evaluating applications for matching grants from the fund. These criteria must be consistent with the fund's goals and provide for an equitable distribution of grants to school corporations and charter schools located throughout Indiana. The board meets on an as-needed basis, with a minimum of two meetings per year.
Members
Meetings
Documents
Policies
Senior Advisory Committee
IDHS established the Senior Advisory Committee (SAC) as an advisory council to the administration of the State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) federal grant. IDHS is tasked with administering these federal funds, and the SAC supports a whole-community approach to emergency preparedness and management in Indiana. The SHSP fund is designed to enhance the core capabilities of Indiana to achieve the National Preparedness Goal established by FEMA. The SAC ensures IDHS administers the funds to address core capabilities while providing oversight and direction through the grant review, scoring, and award process for SHSP. The SAC is chaired by the executive director of IDHS, and it is composed of local government representatives, public safety officers and a host of other relevant disciplines impacted by Indiana's preparedness and planning initiatives.
Members
Documents
Policies
Homeland Security Foundation
The Homeland Security Foundation was dissolved in 2023 by the Indiana General Assembly (House Enrolled Act 1001). For historical information about the foundation, including meeting minutes, please submit a public records request.
Funds previously held by the foundation are now part of the Regional Public Safety Training Fund, which was established to provide regional and advanced training for public safety service providers, support development of firefighter training facilities, provide scholarships for students enrolled in post-secondary coursework in public safety and purchase equipment to enhance emergency preparedness and response capabilities of public safety agencies or EMS providers. The fund is managed by IDHS.
