The director can set guidelines for volunteer fire department assistance in wildfire response, and the Texas Forest Service can pay or reimburse volunteers and departments when resources allow.
Sec. 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, 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.