House committee substitute makes the following changes to the 1st edition.

Renames proposed Article 12I of GS Chapter 143, as Special Separation Allowances for State and Local Firefighters and Rescue Squad Workers (previously, did not include Rescue Squad Workers).

Makes changes throughout the proposed Article to make its provisions apply to rescue squad workers. Makes organizational changes, and amends the act's short and long titles.

Amends proposed GS 143-166.90, concerning special separation allowances for State firefighters and rescue squad workers. Defines rescue squad worker to mean a full-time paid employee of any State department, agency, or institution who meets the definition of emergency medical services personnel under GS 131E-155. GS 131E-155 defines emergency medical service personnel to mean advanced emergency medical technician, emergency medical dispatcher, emergency medical responder, emergency medical services instructor, emergency medical services-nurse practitioner, emergency medical services-physician assistant, emergency medical technician, mobile intensive care nurse, or paramedic, as those terms are defined in GS 131E-155.

Amends proposed GS 143-166.92, concerning special separation allowances for local firefighters and rescue squad workers. Defines rescue squad worker to mean a person (1) who is a full-time paid employee of an employer that participates in the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System and maintains a rescue squad or emergency medical services team certified by the NC Department of Insurance or the Department of Health and Human Services and (2) who is actively serving in a position with assigned primary duties and responsibilities for the alleviation of human suffering and assistance to persons who are in difficulty, who are injured, or who become suddenly ill, by providing proper and efficient care or emergency medical services. Amends the definition of firefighter to include a person (1) who is a full-time paid employee of an employer that participates in the Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System, or an equivalent locally sponsored retirement plan, and maintains a fire department certified by the NC Department of Insurance or a County Fire Marshal's Office (previously did not provide the alternative for certification from a County Fire Marshal's Office) and (2) who is actively serving in a position with assigned primary duties and responsibilities for the prevention, detection, and suppression of fire.