The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Accessory equipment." Firefighting, ambulance and rescue equipment necessary to carry out the ordinary functions of supporting fires, life and rescue activities.

"Agency." (Deleted by amendment).

"Apparatus equipment." Elevated equipment, pumpers, tankers, ladder trucks, utility or special service vehicles, ambulances, rescue vehicles or other large equipment used for firefighting and emergency services.

"Commissioner." The State Fire Commissioner.

"Communications equipment." Any voice or original transmission system required to support the operation of the volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance service and volunteer rescue squad.

"Establishing." In the context of establishing or modernizing facilities, the term means both the construction of new buildings and the acquisition or renovation of existing structures.

"Facilities." Facilities used to house firefighting equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles. The term shall not include meeting halls, social rooms or any other facilities not directly related to firefighting.

"National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards." 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), except that:

(1) New apparatus shall be constructed to meet or exceed the standards in effect at the time of manufacture.

(2) Used firefighting 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 June 25, 1999, meet the National Fire Protection Association standards for apparatus in effect at the time of original manufacture, except 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, except that 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 at the time that the loan funds are advanced.

"Office." The Office of the State Fire Commissioner.

"Protective equipment." Any equipment used by firefighters, 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." Any vehicle, whether a motor vehicle or a watercraft, used for rescue services.

"Utility or special service vehicle." 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 firefighting activities.

"Volunteer ambulance service." 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." Any nonprofit chartered corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth which provides fire protection services and other voluntary emergency services within this Commonwealth. Voluntary emergency services provided by a volunteer fire company may include voluntary ambulance and voluntary rescue services.

"Volunteer rescue service." Any nonprofit chartered corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth which provides rescue services in this Commonwealth.

"Volunteer Companies Loan Fund." The fund established under section 7365 (relating to Volunteer Companies Loan Fund).

(Dec. 23, 2013, P.L.1256, No.129, eff. 60 days)

2013 Amendment. Act 129 added the defs. of "commissioner" and "office" and deleted the def. of "agency."