<section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-101" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mutual Aid Agreements by Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a governmental subdivision, by its appropriate designated authority;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a board or fire commission of a fire department or governmental subdivision;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a fire department;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>a fire company;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>a rescue squad; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>an emergency medical services unit, including an entity that provides emergency medical services at any level.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Mutual aid agreement” means an agreement to establish and carry out a plan to assist in extinguishing fires and preserving life and property by providing fire fighting, rescue, or emergency medical equipment, personnel, and services.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Mutual aid agreement” includes a reciprocal agreement entered into in accordance with this section and § 7–103 of this subtitle before July 1, 1989.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-102" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mutual Aid Agreements by Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities"> <text>This subtitle shall be liberally construed in order to effect its purpose to provide mutual aid for a fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity in time of need.</text> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-103" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mutual Aid Agreements by Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities"> <level label="a"> <text>A fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity may enter into and renew a mutual aid agreement in accordance with this section with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Delaware;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>the District of Columbia;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Pennsylvania;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Virginia;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>West Virginia; or</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>a fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity of this State, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a mutual aid agreement may provide that a party that requests assistance under the mutual aid agreement indemnifies and holds harmless a party that provides assistance under the mutual aid agreement from any claim by a third party for property damage or personal injury that arises out of the mutual aid activities, including travel, of the party that provides assistance that occurs outside its own jurisdiction.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The party that requests assistance need not indemnify the party that provides assistance if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the party that provides assistance does not cooperate in defending against a claim made by a third party; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the claim by a third party arises out of a malicious act of the party that provides assistance.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each mutual aid agreement shall provide that each party to the mutual aid agreement shall waive any and all claims against all other parties to the mutual aid agreement if the claim arises out of the activities of a party outside its own jurisdiction under the mutual aid agreement.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-104" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mutual Aid Agreements by Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities"> <level label="a"> <text>A fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity may enter into an agreement with the federal government in accordance with this section to provide fire fighting or rescue activities on property under the jurisdiction of the United States.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An agreement entered into under this section shall be limited to the provision of fire fighting or rescue equipment and personnel or both.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>An agreement entered into under this section shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a waiver by each party of any claim against any other party for compensation for any loss, damage, personal injury, or death that occurs in the performance of the agreement;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a provision to indemnify and hold harmless each party to the agreement from any claim by a third party for property damage or personal injury, within the limitations permitted by federal law, that arise out of the activities of each party to the agreement; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>a provision that entitles the fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity to obtain reimbursement from the appropriate federal authority for all or part of the cost of providing fire protection on property under the jurisdiction of the United States in accordance with federal law.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>If an individual engaging in an activity authorized under this section sustains an injury that arises out of the activity, the individual is entitled to any or all benefits available under the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Act as the primary remedy for reimbursement of expenses for medical bills, loss of earnings, and disability that arises under or as a result of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-105" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mutual Aid Agreements by Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities"> <level label="a"> <text>Each fire department in the State may have members trained in response measures that involve fire and other emergency techniques including, if approved by the Secretary of State Police, the use of helicopters or other equipment of the Department of State Police.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On request of a fire chief at any location in the State, a firefighter or member of the Department of State Police who has been trained in the response measures described in subsection (a) of this section may function at that location.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-106" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mutual Aid Agreements by Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities"> <text>For purposes of a workers’ compensation or other law or benefit that would accrue to an individual, career or volunteer, who is performing a service anywhere for a fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity under a mutual aid agreement, the individual is considered to have performed that service in the course of employment and in the line of duty.</text> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-107" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Mutual Aid Agreements by Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities"> <text>Necessary expenditures for purposes of this subtitle shall be made out of any appropriations usually available to a fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity.</text> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-201" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Members of Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads"> <text>In Part I of this subtitle, “Board” means the Board of Trustees of the Maryland State Firefighters Association.</text> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-202" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Members of Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>A member of a volunteer fire company or volunteer rescue squad is eligible for disability benefits from the Maryland State Firefighters Association if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the member’s fire company or rescue squad recommends that the member receive benefits; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the member is permanently or temporarily disabled:</text> <level label="1"> <text>as a direct result of actively participating in fighting a fire;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>while going to or from a fire;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>while performing other duties necessary to the operation or maintenance of the fire company;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>while actively participating in the emergency medical services unit, or rescue work of a volunteer advanced life support unit or a volunteer fire, ambulance, or rescue company located in the State; or</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>while providing emergency or rescue assistance, whether acting alone or at the direction of or with a fire, ambulance, or rescue company or advanced life support unit.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A benefit under this section shall be paid:</text> <level label="i"> <text>regardless of the district in which the beneficiary was disabled; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>regardless of whether the beneficiary was disabled in this State, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall pay a benefit under this section from the treasury of the Maryland State Firefighters Association in the amount and in the manner that the Board determines until the beneficiary is no longer disabled.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The secretary of the Board shall add the name of each beneficiary under this section to the Disabled Firefighter’s and Rescue Squad Person’s List.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-203" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Members of Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall pay death benefits under this section if a member of a volunteer fire company or member of a volunteer rescue squad dies:</text> <level label="i"> <text>as a direct result of actively participating in fighting a fire;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>while going to or from a fire;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>while performing other duties necessary to the operation or maintenance of the fire company;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>while actively participating in the ambulance, advanced life support, or rescue work of a volunteer advanced life support unit or volunteer fire, ambulance, or rescue company located in the State; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>while providing emergency or rescue assistance, whether acting alone or at the direction of or with a fire, ambulance, or rescue company or advanced life support unit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A benefit under this subsection shall be paid:</text> <level label="i"> <text>regardless of the district in which the decedent died; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>regardless of whether the decedent died in this State, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, or West Virginia.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall pay a benefit under this section from the treasury of the Maryland State Firefighters Association in the amount that the Board determines, but not less than $2,000.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall pay a benefit under this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>to the decedent’s surviving spouse or dependent child;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>if no individual is eligible under item (i) of this paragraph, to the decedent’s surviving dependent parent;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>if no individual is eligible under item (i) or (ii) of this paragraph, to each surviving child of the decedent in equal shares;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>if no individual is eligible under item (i), (ii), or (iii) of this paragraph, to the decedent’s surviving parent; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>if no individual is eligible under item (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of this paragraph, to each surviving sister, brother, or grandparent of the decedent in equal shares.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If there is a surviving spouse or dependent child:</text> <level label="i"> <text>until the surviving spouse remarries, the surviving spouse is entitled to receive a pension from the Maryland State Firefighters Association; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>until the dependent child becomes an adult, each dependent child is entitled to receive a pension from the Maryland State Firefighters Association.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall pay a benefit under this subsection from the treasury of the Maryland State Firefighters Association in the amount, at the times, and in the installments that the Board determines.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The secretary of the Board shall add the name of each beneficiary under this subsection to the Disabled Firefighter’s and Rescue Squad Person’s List.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-204" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Members of Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads"> <level label="a"> <text>The Governor shall include in the State budget each year at least $55,000:</text> <level label="1"> <text>for the purposes set forth in §§ 7-202 and 7-203 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>for scholarships for children of members of volunteer fire companies or volunteer rescue squads who are killed or disabled in the line of duty, as provided in § 18-602 of the Education Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>shall administer the money provided under subsection (a) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>may not use it for administrative costs.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-205" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Members of Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads"> <text>A member of a volunteer fire company or rescue squad who is engaged in a fire fighting or rescue activity with an organized fire or rescue company is considered to be on duty during the activity for the purposes of the Federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Act of 1976.</text> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-208" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Members of Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads"> <text>In Calvert County, the fire and rescue commission shall administer a length of service award program for members of volunteer fire companies and rescue squads, as provided in Title 14 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Calvert County.</text> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-209" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Members of Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Board” means the Board of County Commissioners of Cecil County.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Program” means the Volunteer Length of Service Award Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In Cecil County, the Board may establish and fund a Volunteer Length of Service Award Program for qualified members of volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, and ambulance corps.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board may adopt bylaws for the Program by resolution.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In the bylaws, the Board may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>define terms;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>establish eligibility requirements for certification procedures based on length of service, number of hours of service, amount of training, number of hours of training, prior service, or any other criteria considered relevant by the Board based on requirements and procedures recommended by the Cecil County Firemen’s Association;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>establish appeals procedures for members who contest eligibility requirement determinations by the Board;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>establish a benefits schedule and determine eligibility requirements, including age and length of service requirements;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>delegate record–keeping responsibilities of the Program to the Program administrative committee of the Cecil County Firemen’s Association;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>delegate administration of the Program to the Cecil County treasurer, a committee or board, an insurer, a financial institution, or any other agency, group, or organization that the Board determines is competent to administer the Program;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, establish disability, death, and survivor benefits for qualified individuals;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>establish any other requirements, criteria, or benefits considered by the Board to be in the best interest of Cecil County and the best interest of the volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, and ambulance corps;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>subject to paragraph (4) of this subsection, allocate from the general revenue of Cecil County or from any other source, funds for the Program; and</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>establish any other provision for the administration of the Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A surviving spouse benefit is discontinued when the survivor remarries.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Funds for the Program allocated from the general revenue of Cecil County may not exceed:</text> <level label="i"> <text>$35,000 during the first year of the Program;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>$39,000 during the second year of the Program;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>$44,000 during the third year of the Program;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>$49,000 during the fourth year of the Program;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>$55,000 during the fifth year of the Program; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>an additional $10,000 for each additional year of the Program or whatever amount would make the Program actuarially sound by July 1, 2014.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>To carry out this section, the Board shall adopt the following provisions as part of the Program:</text> <level label="1"> <text>a member who has certified credit volunteer service on or after January 1, 1979 or who discontinued active volunteer service before January 1, 1979 may receive credit for this service after being certified in accordance with this section to have performed 5 years of active volunteer service after January 1, 1979;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>a member who has completed 25 years of certified volunteer service and is under the age of 60 years may be qualified and will be eligible for benefits when the member reaches the age of 60 years if the member is certified to the 25 years of qualified service before January 1, 1984;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>after January 1, 1984, and on or before June 30, 2008, a member who accumulates the proper number of points needed to qualify and certify for 25 years of service and who fails to remain active or maintain membership in a volunteer fire company is not disqualified or otherwise restricted from receiving benefits at the age of 60 years; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>on or after July 1, 2008, a member who accumulates the proper number of points needed to qualify and certify for 25 years of service may receive benefits at the age of 55 years.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-210" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Members of Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads"> <text>In Charles County, the County Commissioners shall administer the length of service award program for members of volunteer fire companies, rescue squads, and mobile intensive care units, as provided in §§ 54-8 through 54-11 of the Code of Public Local Laws of Charles County.</text> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-211" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Members of Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads"> <level label="a"> <text>To encourage volunteer service in Frederick County, the governing body of Frederick County may enact a monetary service award plan based on length of service for members of volunteer fire companies in Frederick County.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The governing body of Frederick County may implement the plan by enacting an ordinance that relates to the provisions and implementation of the plan.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-212" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Members of Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads"> <text>The Board of County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>establish a length of service award program for qualified members of volunteer fire departments and rescue squads; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>adopt bylaws for the program by resolution.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-212.1" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Members of Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads"> <text>By resolution or ordinance, the Board of County Commissioners for Somerset County may establish and fund a volunteer service award program for qualified members of volunteer fire departments, ambulance companies, and rescue squads.</text> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-213" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Members of Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads"> <text>By resolution or ordinance, the Washington County Commissioners may establish and fund a volunteer length of service award program for qualified members of volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, and ambulance corps.</text> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-301" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Members of Fire Companies Appointed as Deputy Sheriffs"> <text>In this subtitle, “commanding officer” means the captain, chief, or other officer in charge of a fire company or ambulance company.</text> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-302" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Members of Fire Companies Appointed as Deputy Sheriffs"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only to Baltimore County, Dorchester County, and Queen Anne’s County.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The sheriff of a county subject to this section may appoint as deputy sheriffs members of fire companies, whether volunteer, career, incorporated, or unincorporated, to exercise the powers of deputy sheriffs at fires and while going to and from fires.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The commanding officer may designate three members of the fire company to be appointed as deputy sheriffs.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The commanding officer may be one of the three members designated under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The sheriff of a county subject to this section shall appoint as deputy sheriff a member of the fire company designated under subsection (c) of this section on request of the designated member.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A request for appointment shall be accompanied by a written certificate of designation signed by the commanding officer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a member of a fire company appointed as deputy sheriff under this section may exercise the powers of deputy sheriffs at fires and while going to and from fires.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The powers of members appointed as deputy sheriffs do not apply and may not be exercised in a municipal corporation that maintains an organized police force.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The appointment of a member of a fire company as deputy sheriff terminates if the member ceases to be a member of the fire company.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The sheriff of a county subject to this section may remove a member appointed as deputy sheriff at any time for just cause.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a member appointed as deputy sheriff dies, resigns, is dismissed, refuses to serve, or is unable to serve, the commanding officer may designate another member of the fire company to be appointed as deputy sheriff.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If the commanding officer designates another member of the fire company to be appointed as deputy sheriff, the sheriff of the county shall appoint that member as deputy sheriff, subject to subsections (d) and (e) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-303" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Members of Fire Companies Appointed as Deputy Sheriffs"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>This section applies only to Allegany County, Caroline County, Carroll County, Dorchester County, Frederick County, Harford County, Kent County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County, and Worcester County.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as modified by this section, the provisions of § 7–302 of this subtitle apply to this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the commanding officer may designate 12 members of a fire company to be appointed as deputy sheriffs.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In Harford County, the commanding officer may designate 20 members of a fire company to be appointed as deputy sheriffs.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The sheriff of a county subject to this section may require a member of a fire company appointed as deputy sheriff to demonstrate a satisfactory level of training in those areas of law enforcement commensurate with the duties of deputy sheriff described in this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the sheriff requires demonstration of a satisfactory level of training, then the sheriff must provide the training, at a time and place that the sheriff considers suitable.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The powers of members of fire companies appointed as deputy sheriffs under this section are limited to those necessary to perform the duties of deputy sheriffs while functioning at:</text> <level label="i"> <text>parades;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>accidents;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>floods;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>other emergencies; or</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>public events conducted by or under the auspices of a fire company or the sheriff’s department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The powers authorized under this subsection may be exercised:</text> <level label="i"> <text>in a municipal corporation, subject to the discretion and control of the chief of the police force of the municipal corporation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in other areas of the county; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>on State roads, subject to the discretion and control of the Department of State Police.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A member appointed as deputy sheriff is deemed to be performing the duties of deputy sheriff when on duty and wearing a badge of authority.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A member appointed as deputy sheriff may not use a weapon in the performance of duties authorized under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>In Allegany County, Caroline County, Carroll County, Frederick County, Harford County, and Talbot County, a member appointed as deputy sheriff may also perform traffic control for public functions held by a municipal corporation, group, or committee on request for and approval of the services by the sheriff.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>A member appointed as deputy sheriff performing the duties of deputy sheriff in an emergency situation to which a fire company or ambulance company has been dispatched by the Allegany County Emergency Management Center in Allegany County, the Frederick County Central Alarm Board in Frederick County, or the Carroll County Emergency Operations Center in Carroll County, is subject to the authority of the commanding officer of that fire company or ambulance company.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If a member appointed as deputy sheriff is not a member in good standing of the fire company or ambulance company that has been dispatched, then the member may not perform the duties described in this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A member appointed as deputy sheriff performing the duties of deputy sheriff at a public event conducted by or under the auspices of a fire company or ambulance company is subject to the authority of the commanding officer of that fire company or ambulance company.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-304" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="Members of Fire Companies Appointed as Deputy Sheriffs"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “fire and ambulance company” means a volunteer, career, incorporated, or unincorporated fire or ambulance company.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies only to Cecil County and Washington County.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The commanding officer may designate to the sheriff of a county up to 20 individuals who are members of the commanding officer’s fire or ambulance company to be appointed as fire police.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A written certificate of designation signed by the commanding officer shall accompany each request for appointment under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Sheriff of Washington County shall appoint individuals to serve as fire police in Washington County from those members designated by the commanding officer under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Sheriff of Cecil County may appoint individuals to serve as fire police in Cecil County from those members designated by the commanding officer under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The powers of individuals serving as fire police are limited to traffic control and scene safety while functioning at:</text> <level label="i"> <text>parades;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>accidents;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>fires;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>floods;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>other emergencies; or</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>public events conducted by a fire or ambulance company or the Sheriff’s department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The powers authorized under this subsection may be exercised:</text> <level label="i"> <text>in a municipal corporation in the county, subject to the discretion and control of the chief of the police force of the municipal corporation; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>in other areas of the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An individual appointed to serve as fire police in Washington County may not use a weapon in the performance of duties authorized under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The appointment of a member of a fire or ambulance company as fire police terminates if the member ceases to be a member of the fire or ambulance company.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The sheriff of a county may remove a member appointed as fire police at any time.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a member appointed to serve as fire police dies, resigns, is dismissed, refuses to serve, or is unable to serve, the commanding officer may designate another member of the fire or ambulance company to be appointed as fire police.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>An individual appointed to serve as fire police in Washington County under this section is deemed an appointed official and shall be treated as an appointed official for purposes of Title 22 and Title 23 of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-401" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to nonemergency transportation or ambulance billing services performed by an ambulance service or by any other provider.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A county or municipal corporation that bargains collectively with fire, emergency medical services, paramedic, and rescue personnel may not contract with a for-profit entity to provide the county’s or municipal corporation’s complete fire suppression or ambulance and rescue services without the enactment of an ordinance or other local law that authorizes the action.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The requirement that a county or municipal corporation enact an ordinance or other local law under subsection (b) of this section may not be satisfied through the enactment of a local budget bill.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-402" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <text>A person may not willfully interfere with or obstruct a firefighter, a rescue squad member, or emergency services personnel while the firefighter, rescue squad member, or emergency services personnel:</text> <level label="1"> <text>is fighting a fire, performing emergency services, or proceeding to a fire or other emergency; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>is dispatched on a call for emergency services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A person may not, with fraudulent design on person or property, falsely represent that the person is a member of a career or volunteer fire department, rescue squad, or emergency services unit of the State or a county or municipal corporation of the State.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A person may not have, use, wear, or display without proper authority, for the purpose of deception, a uniform, shield, button, ornament, identification, or shoulder patch, or a simulation or imitation of these articles, adopted by a career or volunteer fire department, rescue squad, or emergency services unit.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years.</text> </level> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-403" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="4"> <text>If no public water source is available to a fire company to supply water to extinguish a fire or mitigate an emergency incident, a fire company may enter private property to obtain water from a private water source, such as a privately owned pond, lake, river, stream, canal, cistern, or swimming pool, to extinguish the fire or otherwise mitigate the emergency incident.</text> </section> <section article="gps" article_name="Public Safety" number="7-404" title_number="7" title_name="Fire, Rescue, or Emergency Medical Services Entities" subtitle_number="4"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Peer support program” means an evidence–based program provided by a fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity or the International Association of Firefighters that provides evidence–based support from a peer support specialist to a member of a fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Peer support specialist” means a member of a fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity or the International Association of Firefighters who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>has received evidence–based training in peer support, including emotional and moral support to members of fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entities who have been involved in or exposed to an emotionally traumatic experience in the course of duty as a member of a fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>is designated by the fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entity to provide the services described in item (i) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a peer support specialist or peer support participant may not disclose the contents of any written or oral communication regarding a peer support interaction.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the communication contains:</text> <level label="1"> <text>an explicit threat of suicide, the disclosure of which the peer support specialist believes is necessary to avoid a suicide attempt;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>an explicit threat of imminent and serious bodily harm or death to a clearly identified or identifiable individual;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>information relating to the abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult, or abuse or neglect that is otherwise required to be reported by law; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>the admission of criminal conduct;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>the disclosure is authorized by each peer support participant who was a party to the communication; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order or subpoena requiring the disclosure of the communication.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Before the initial peer support interaction with a peer support participant, a peer support specialist shall inform the peer support participant in writing of the confidentiality provisions in this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before October 1, 2024, the Behavioral Health Administration, in consultation with the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems, shall develop a report on best practices and professional standards for evidence–based peer support programs, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>guidelines for establishing and operating peer support programs;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>guidelines for training and certifying peer support specialists;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>a code of ethics for peer support specialists;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>recommendations for continuing education for peer support specialists;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>suggestions on disclosing confidentiality rights to any potential peer support participants;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>information on the different types of peer support programs used by fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entities;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>information regarding any differences in the types of peer support programs offered between each type of entity; and</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>information on the role of senior members of fire, rescue, or emergency medical services entities in supporting access to mental health resources.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Following the completion of the report required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Behavioral Health Administration shall make the following information publicly available on the Administration’s website:</text> <level label="i"> <text>the published report; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>a list of evidence–based peer support specialist training programs.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section>