Texas § ED.88.123 - VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSISTANCE

§ ED.88.123. VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSISTANCE

VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSISTANCE. (a) In this section: (1) "Partially paid fire department" means a fire department operated by its members, some of whom are volunteers and some of whom are paid. (2) "Volunteer fire department" means a fire department operated by its members, including a partially paid fire department, that is operated on a not-for-profit basis. (3) "Volunteer firefighter" means a member of a volunteer fire department. (b) The director may establish guidelines within which local volunteer fire departments may assist the Texas Forest Service in responding to a wildfire after other local firefighting resources have been exhausted. (c) To the extent that resources are available, the Texas Forest Service may: (1) compensate a volunteer firefighter or a volunteer fire department for labor and expenses related to the assistance provided by the firefighter or department under Subsection (b); and (2) reimburse a volunteer fire department for equipment provided by the department under Subsection (b). (d) The director shall determine: (1) the rate at which a volunteer firefighter or a volunteer fire department may be compensated or reimbursed under this section; (2) the types of labor and expenses for which a volunteer firefighter or a volunteer fire department may be compensated under this section; (3) the types of equipment for which a volunteer fire department may be reimbursed under this section; and (4) the minimum qualifications a volunteer firefighter must meet in order to be compensated under this section, which may include certification under a program administered by: (A) the State Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas; or (B) the Texas Forest Service according to standards determined by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group. (e) A volunteer firefighter who receives compensation under this section is not subject to the certification requirements of Subchapter B , Chapter 419 , Government Code. (f) The Texas Forest Service may request reimbursement from the legislature for a payment made to a volunteer firefighter or a volunteer fire department under this section. (g) The Texas Forest Service may issue National Wildfire Coordinating Group certification to a volunteer firefighter under terms determined by the director. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 52 (S.B. 646 ), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2011.