(a) The Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council is established. The council shall be composed of seven members, one of whom shall be the Safety Fire Commissioner or the designated representative of the Safety Fire Commissioner. The remaining six members shall be appointed by the Governor subject to the following requirements:

(1) One member shall be a member of the governing authority of a county;

(2) One member shall be a member of the governing authority of a municipality;

(3) One member shall be a city or county manager;

(4) One member shall be the chief of a county or municipal fire department; and

(5) Two members shall be state certified firefighter training officers.

(b) The members of the council appointed by the Governor pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section shall be appointed at the sole discretion of the Governor. However, the Governor may consider for appointment to the council persons suggested for membership thereon as follows:

(1) The Association County Commissioners of Georgia may suggest the names of three persons for each appointment pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection (a) of this Code section;

(2) The Georgia Municipal Association may suggest the names of three persons for each appointment pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section;

(3) The Georgia City and County Management Association may suggest the names of three persons for each appointment pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (a) of this Code section;

(4) The Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs may suggest the names of three persons for each appointment pursuant to paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of this Code section; and

(5) The Executive Board of the Georgia State Firemen's Association may suggest the names of three persons for each appointment pursuant to paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of this Code section.

(c) The first members of the council appointed by the Governor pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section shall be appointed to take office on January 1, 1986. The two members appointed pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be appointed for initial terms of one year, the two members appointed pursuant to paragraphs (3) and (4) of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be appointed for initial terms of two years, and the two members appointed pursuant to paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of this Code section shall be appointed for initial terms of three years. Thereafter, successors shall be appointed for terms of three years as the respective terms of office expire. All members shall serve until their successors are appointed and qualified. In the event of a vacancy in the membership of the council for any reason, including ceasing to hold an office or position required for membership on the council, the Governor shall fill such vacancy for the unexpired term. In order for the Governor to consider the names of persons suggested for membership on the council pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section, such names must be submitted to the Governor by the respective organizations at least 60 days but not more than 90 days prior to the expiration of the respective terms of office or prior to the appointment of the initial members of the council who take office on January 1, 1986. The Governor shall be authorized, but not required, to request the appropriate organization designated in subsection (b) of this Code section to suggest the names of three persons for the Governor's consideration in making an appointment to fill a vacancy.

(d) At the first regular meeting of the council held in each even-numbered year, the council shall elect a chairman and such other officers from its own membership as it deems necessary to serve until successors are elected by the council as provided in this subsection.

(e) The council may, from time to time, designate an advisory committee of not more than three members to assist and advise the council in carrying out its duties under this chapter. The members of any such advisory committee shall serve at the pleasure of the council.

(f) Each member of the council and each member of an advisory committee of the council, in carrying out their official duties, shall be entitled to receive the same expense and mileage allowance authorized for members of professional licensing boards by subsection (f) of Code Section 43-1-2. The funds for such expenses and allowances shall be paid from funds appropriated or available to the Department of Public Safety.