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

"Advanced life support services." The term shall have the meaning given to it in Chapter 81 (relating to emergency medical services system).

"Agency." The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

"Basic life support services." The term shall have the meaning given to it in Chapter 81 (relating to emergency medical services system).

"Career emergency medical services." As follows:

(1) A for-profit chartered emergency medical service corporation, association or organization which meets all of the following:

(i) Is located in this Commonwealth.

(ii) Is licensed by the Department of Health.

(iii) Is not associated or affiliated with a hospital, unless recognized in accordance with section 7823(b.1) (relating to award of grants).

(iv) Is regularly engaged in the provision of emergency medical services, including basic life support or advanced life support services and advanced life support squads as defined in 28 Pa. Code § 1027.1 (relating to general provisions).

(2) The term shall not include a corporation, association or organization that is primarily engaged in the operation of invalid coaches which are intended for the routine transport of individuals who are convalescent or nonambulatory and who do not ordinarily require emergency medical treatment while in transit.

"Commissioner." The State Fire Commissioner.

"Emergency medical services company" or "EMS company." A career or volunteer emergency medical services company.

"Facility." A structure or portion thereof intended for the purpose of storage or protection of firefighting apparatus, ambulances and rescue vehicles and related equipment and gear. The term does not include meeting halls, social halls, social rooms, lounges or any other facility not directly related to firefighting or the furnishing of ambulance or rescue services.

"Fire company." A volunteer fire company or a municipal fire company located in this Commonwealth.

"Grant program." The Fire Company Grant Program established in Subchapter B (relating to fire company grant program) or the Emergency Medical Services Grant Program established in Subchapter C (relating to emergency medical services grant program).

"Invalid coach." The term shall have the meaning given to it in Chapter 81 (relating to emergency medical services system).

"Volunteer EMS company." Any nonprofit chartered corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth, which is licensed by the Department of Health and is not associated or affiliated with any hospital, unless recognized in accordance with section 7823(b.1) (relating to award of grants), and which is regularly engaged in the provision of emergency medical services, including basic life support or advanced life support services and advanced life support squads as defined in 28 Pa. Code § 1027.1 (relating to general provisions). The term shall not include any corporation, association or organization that is primarily engaged in the operation of invalid coaches which are intended for the routine transport of persons who are convalescent or otherwise nonambulatory and do not ordinarily require emergency medical treatment while in transit.

"Volunteer fire company." A nonprofit chartered corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth which provides fire protection or rescue services and which may offer 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 company." A nonprofit chartered corporation, association or organization located in this Commonwealth that provides rescue services as part of the response to fires or vehicle accidents within this Commonwealth.

(June 29, 2012, P.L.663, No.78, eff. imd.; June 30, 2016, P.L.432, No.60, eff. imd.)