Section 3. Statement of Purpose.--The purpose of the Legislature in enacting this statute is to encourage individuals to take part in the fire service as volunteer firefighters, by establishing criteria and standards for the orderly administration and conduct of the affairs of firefighters' relief associations, so as to ensure, as far as circumstances will reasonably permit, that funds shall be available for the protection of volunteer firefighters and their heirs:
(1) To provide financial assistance to volunteer firefighters who may suffer injury or misfortune by reason of their participation in the fire service;
(2) To provide financial assistance to the widow, children, and/or other dependents of volunteer firefighters who lose their lives as a result of their participation in the fire service;
(3) To provide, either by insurance or by the operation of a beneficial fund, for the payment of a sum certain to the designated beneficiaries of a participating member in such fund following the death of such member for any cause, and to establish criteria which members must meet in order to qualify as participants in such death benefit fund;
(4) To provide safeguards for preserving life, health and safety of volunteer firefighters, so as to ensure their availability to participate in the fire service;
(5) To provide financial assistance to volunteer firefighters who, after having actively participated in the fire service for a specified minimum term, are no longer physically able to continue such participation and are in need of financial assistance;
(6) To provide funds to aid the rehabilitation of volunteer firefighters who have suffered an impairment of their physical capacity to continue to perform their normal occupations; and
(7) In any event, to provide sufficient funds to ensure the efficient and economical handling of the business of the association in accomplishing the objectives hereinabove set forth.
(3 amended Dec. 22, 1993, P.L.547, No.78)