Tex.
Educ. Code Section 88.123
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 (Definitions), Chapter 419 (Texas Commission on Fire Protection), 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.
Source:
Section 88.123 — Volunteer Fire Department Assistance, https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.88.htm#88.123 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).
