§ 159. Advisory council for fire prevention and control. 1. There is hereby created within the division of homeland security and emergency services an advisory council for fire prevention and control for the purpose of advising the commissioner and the state fire administrator with regard to: (a) execution of the functions, powers and duties of the office with respect to fire and arson prevention and control services, policies and programs; (b) recommendations on courses of instruction and standards for training of firefighters of fire departments, fire companies, municipal corporations, districts, and private industry of the state; (c) recommendations on federal and state legislation and programs relating to fire and arson prevention services, policies and programs; and (d) recommendations upon such other matters as the commissioner and the state fire administrator may request.

2. The council shall be composed of the state fire administrator, as chair, or his or her designee, and twelve other members appointed as follows: six members appointed by the governor; two members appointed by the temporary president of the senate; one member appointed by the minority leader of the senate; two members appointed by the speaker of the assembly; one member appointed by the minority leader of the assembly.

3. Membership of such council shall consist of representatives from the volunteer and career fire service, at least half of which shall serve at the municipal level.

4. Members of the council, other than the state fire administrator, shall serve for terms of three years, with such terms to commence on April first and expire on March thirty-first.

5. No member of the council shall be disqualified from holding any other public office or employment, nor shall he or she forfeit any such office or employment by reason of the appointment hereunder, notwithstanding the provisions of any general, special or local law, ordinance or city charter.

6. The council shall meet at least twice a year. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson. The agenda and meeting place of all regular or special meetings shall be made available to the public in advance of such meeting.

7. Members of the council shall serve without salary or per diem allowance, but shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties under this section, provided, however, that such members are not, at the time such expenses are incurred, public employees otherwise entitled to such reimbursement.

8. The chairperson may create subcommittees as he or she may from time to time deem appropriate to provide the council with advice and recommendations. Members of such subcommittees shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of official duties under this section, provided, however, that such members are not, at the time such expenses are incurred, public employees otherwise entitled to such reimbursement.