O.C.G.A. § 25-3-21 (2019)
Definitions
As used in this article, the term:
(1) “Executive director” means the executive director of the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council.
(2)(A) “Fire department” means any fire department which is authorized to exercise the general and emergency powers enumerated in Code Sections 25-3-1 and 25-3-2.
(B) “Fire department” also means any department, agency, organization, or company operating in this state with the intent and purpose of carrying out the duties, functions, powers, and responsibilities normally associated with a fire department. These duties, functions, powers, and responsibilities include but are not limited to the protection of life and property against fire, explosions, or other hazards.
(3) “Firefighter” means any able-bodied person at least 18 years of age who has been duly appointed by a legally constituted fire department and who has the responsibility of preventing and suppressing fires, protecting life and property, and performing other duties enumerated in Code Sections 25-3-1 and 25-3-2.
History
Code 1981, § 25-3-21, enacted by Ga. L.
1984, p. 1000, § 3; Ga. L. 1985, p. 1493, § 1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 341, § 1.
Annotations
OPINIONS OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL Volunteer fire department. - Volunteer fire department is a “fire department” within the meaning of O.C.G.A. § 25-3-21 and must therefore comply with the minimum requirements established for the operation of fire departments pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 25-3-20 et seq. 1986 Op. Att’y Gen. No. 86-8. Use of inmates in fire departments. - Inmate firefighters should be considered volunteer firefighters as defined in O.C.G.A. § 25-4-2 and not a separate cat-
egory. The Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council has the authority to set minimum requirements for volunteer firefighters, the category to which inmates belong, serving as firefighters on fire departments as defined in O.C.G.A. § 253-21 and to establish and modify by rule and regulation minimum requirements for such fire departments generally, regardless of whether the departments are staffed solely or partially with inmate firefighters. 2012 Op. Att’y Gen. No. 12-4.