Volume 69 · 67
Public Law 84–46
To authorize the execution of agreements between agencies of the United States and other agencies and instrumentalities for mutual aid in fire protection, aud for other purposes.
Approved May 27, 1955
Statutory text
AN ACT
To authorize the execution of agreements between agencies of the United States and other agencies and instrumentalities for mutual aid in fire protection, aud for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That as used in this Act—
The term “agency head” means the head of any executive department, military department, agency, or independent establishment in the executive branch of the Government;
The term “lire protection” includes personal services and equipment required for fire prevention, the protection of life and property from fire, and fire fighting; and
The term “fire organization” means any governmental entity or public or private corporation or association maintaining fire protection facilities within the United States, its Territories and possessions, and any governmental entity or public or private corporation or association which maintains fire protection facilities in any foreign country in the vicinity of any installation of the United States.
Sec. 2.
Each agency head charged with the duty of providing fire protection for any property of the United States is authorized to enter into a reciprocal agreement, with any fire organization maintainingfire protection facilities in the vicinity of such property, for mutual aid in furnishing fire protection for such property and for other property for wliich such organization normally provides fire protection. Each such agreement shall include a waiver by each party of all claims against every other party for compensation for any loss, damage, personal injury, or death occurring in consequence of the performance of such agreement. Any such agreement may provide for the reimbursement of any party for all or any part of the cost incurred by such party in furnishing fire protection for or on behalf of any other party.
Any agreement heretofore executed which would nave been authorized by this Act, if this Act had been in effect on the date of execution thereof, is hereby ratified and confirmed.
Sec. 3.
In the absence of any agreement authorized or ratified by
Emergency as distance.
section 2, each agency head is authorized to render emergency assistance in extinguishing fires and in preserving life and property from fire, within the vicinity of any place at which such agency maintains fire-protection facilities, when the rendition of such assistance is determined, under regulations prescribed by the agency head, to be in the best interest of the United States.
Sec. 4.
Any service performed under section 2 or section 3 of this
Service.
Act, by any officer or employee of the United States or any member of any armed force of the United States shall constitute service rendered in line of duty in such office, employment, orforce. The performance of such service by any other individual shall not constitute such individual an officer or employee of the United States for the purposes of the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act, as
amended.
Sec. 5.
Funds available to any agency head for fire protection
Funds.
on installations or in connection with activities under the jurisdiction of such agency may be used to carry out the purposes of this Act. All sums received by any agency head for fire protection rendered pursuant to this Act shall be covered into the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
Approved May 27, 1955.