Requires the Legislative Research Commission (LRC) to conduct a comprehensive review of firefighting in rural areas of the state. Sets the study’s mission as examining current trends, problems, and opportunities confronting rural fire departments and suggesting funding and other legislative actions needed to keep those fire departments fiscally sound and mission effective. Lists six areas of examination for the study including volunteer firefighter recruitment and retention, funding and resource allocation, interagency cooperation and mutual aid agreements, the toll taken on firefighters, public education and outreach, and long-term sustainability and community education. Requires the LRC to engage with the described stakeholders, to hold at least three public hearings in Western, Eastern, and Central North Carolina to gather public input and to open a public comment period of at least 90 days for feedback. Requires the LRC to submit an interim report on the study results including legislative recommendations, to the 2025 General Assembly when it reconvenes in 2026, with a final report to the 2027 General Assembly.