By Bob Katzen

The House gave initial approval to legislation that would require that any candidates for appointment to the position of Fire Chief, Fire Commissioner or head of a fire department in any city or town, must have been a uniformed member of the Massachusetts firefighting force of a Massachusetts Fire Department for a minimum of five years.

Supporters said this would ensure that anyone appointed to one of these high positions has some hands-on experience as a firefighter and has come up through the ranks.

Rep. Dan Hunt (D-Boston), the sponsor of the measure, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call to comment on his bill and its passage.