Section 2. Definitions.--As used in this act:
(1) A volunteer firefighters' relief association is an organization formed primarily for the purpose of affording financial protection to volunteer firefighters against the consequences of misfortune suffered as a result of their participation in the fire service. Such an association may also serve other purposes, as hereinafter set forth, provided only that adequate provisions be first made to serve its primary purpose. It may comprehend within its membership the members of one or more fire companies.
(2) The fire service comprehends the service of organized groups of individuals, not only in training for and in active duty in the protection of the public against fire, but also in the training for and the performance of such other activities as are commonly undertaken by fire companies and their affiliated organizations, including, inter alia, fire prevention, first aid, rescue and salvage, ambulance service, fire police work, radio communications, assistance at accidents, control of crowds both on the fire grounds and at occasions of public or general assembly, animal rescue, abatement of conditions due to storm, flood, or general peril, abatement or removal of hazards to safety, and participation in public celebrations, parades, demonstrations, and fund-raising campaigns.
(3) Volunteer firefighter comprehends any member of a fire company, organized and existing under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and also any member of any fire police unit, rescue squad, ambulance corps, or other like organization affiliated with one or more fire companies, and refers to any individual who is a member of such a fire company or affiliated organization and who participates in the fire service, but does not look to that service as his primary means of livelihood. A person shall not lose his or her status as a volunteer firefighter solely because he or she may also be a paid firefighter, as long as he or she is acting within the scope of his or her responsibilities as a member of a volunteer fire company at the time and not within the scope of his or her responsibilities as a paid firefighter.
(2 amended Dec. 22, 1993, P.L.547, No.78)