Fire protection districts have broad corporate powers, but they may not own or operate waterworks systems.
§1500. Districts as public corporations; powers A. Fire protection districts shall constitute public corporations and as such shall have all the powers of public corporations, including perpetual existence and the right and power to incur debt and contract obligations, to sue and be sued, and to have a corporate seal. Such districts shall also be authorized to do and perform all acts in their corporate capacity and in their corporate names necessary and proper for the purposes of acquiring, maintaining, and operating buildings, machinery, equipment, water tanks, water hydrants, water lines, and such other things, including both movable and immovable property, as might be necessary or proper for effective fire prevention and control or considered necessary by the governing body of the district for the protection of the property within the limits of the district against fire. However, districts may not own and operate systems of waterworks. B. Districts may utilize their equipment to transport any injured or ill person to a hospital or other place of medical care in an emergency situation where there is no reasonable expectation of the prompt response of an ambulance or industrial ambulance. C. Districts may enter into such contracts as they consider necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes for which they were created, including, specifically, contracts with private or public entities pursuant to which water for fire protection purposes shall be made available and paid for by the districts. D. Districts may do such things and enter into such contracts and agreements with the United States or with any state or federal agency or instrumentality as are necessary to procure aid and grants to assist them in carrying out the purposes for which they were created. Amended by Acts 1962, No. 470, §1; Acts 1975, No. 17, §1; Acts 1987, No. 90, §1.