Section 3. Definitions.--As used in this act:
"Accessory equipment" means fire fighting, ambulance, rescue equipment necessary to carry out its ordinary functions of supporting fires, life, and rescue activities.
"Agency" means the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. (Def. added Feb. 5, 2004, P.L.50, No.5)
"Apparatus equipment" means elevated equipment, pumpers, tankers, ladder trucks, utility or special service vehicles, ambulances, rescue vehicles or other large equipment used for fire fighting and emergency. (Def. amended June 13, 1980, P.L.217, No.65)
"Communications equipment" means any voice or original transmission system required to support the operation of the volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance service and volunteer rescue squad.
"Department" (Def. deleted by amendment Feb. 5, 2004, P.L.50, No.5)
"Establishing," in the context of establishing or modernizing facilities, means both the construction of new buildings and the acquisition or renovation of existing structures. (Def. added Oct. 31, 1995, P.L.340, No.55)
"Facilities" means facilities used to house fire fighting equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles and shall not include meeting halls, social rooms, or any other facilities not directly related to fire fighting.
"National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards" means apparatus and equipment, including personal protective equipment, shall be deemed to meet the requirements of compliance with the applicable standards of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provided:
(1) New apparatus shall be constructed to meet or exceed the standards in effect at the time of manufacture.
(2) Used fire fighting apparatus shall:
(i) in no instance meet lesser requirements than the standards for apparatus adopted by the National Fire Protection Association in 1991; and
(ii) beginning with the effective date of this amendatory act, meet the National Fire Protection Association standards for apparatus in effect at the time of original manufacture, provided, however, that no loans shall be considered or made for apparatus that cannot meet the National Fire Protection Association standards in effect no more than 12 years prior to the date of the application for loan financing.
(3) New equipment shall meet or exceed the standards in effect at the time of original manufacture.
(4) Used equipment shall meet or exceed the standards in effect at the time of original manufacture; however, no loans for used equipment shall be considered or made for equipment more than five years old at the time of application for loan assistance.
(5) In every instance, used equipment and apparatus shall meet the applicable National Fire Protection Association standards, as required above, at the time loan funds are advanced.
(Def. added June 25, 1999, P.L.231, No.32)
"Protective equipment" means any equipment used by fire fighters, volunteer ambulance service personnel or volunteer rescue service personnel, to protect their person from injury while performing their functions, including but not limited to helmets, turnout coats and pants, boots, eyeshields, gloves and self-contained respiratory protection units.
"Rescue vehicle" means any vehicle, whether a motor vehicle or a watercraft, used for rescue services. (Def. added July 11, 1990, P.L.415, No.100)
"Utility or special service vehicle" means a vehicle carrying accessory equipment including but not limited to ladders, oxygen equipment, generators and adaptors, floodlights, smoke ejectors, and other equipment necessary to perform the ordinary functions of supporting fire fighting activities. (Def. added June 13, 1980, P.L.217, No.65)
"Volunteer ambulance service" means any nonprofit chartered corporation, association, or organization located in this Commonwealth and which is regularly engaged in the service of providing emergency medical care and transportation of patients.
"Volunteer fire company" means any nonprofit chartered corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth which provides fire protection services and other voluntary emergency services within the Commonwealth. Voluntary emergency services provided by a volunteer fire company may include voluntary ambulance and voluntary rescue services.
"Volunteer rescue service" means any nonprofit chartered corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth which provides rescue services in the Commonwealth.
"Volunteer Companies Loan Fund" means the fund established under this act.