(a) There is established within the General Fund a separate account to be known as the forest fire-fighting equipment account, for the purpose of providing money for the purchase by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection of forest fire-fighting equipment, including, but not limited to, backpack pumps, rakes, brooms and shovels. The commissioner may sell such equipment to any fire company that may be called upon to fight forest fires. The amount paid by the fire company for such equipment shall be the approximate cost of the equipment to the commissioner. Any revenue received for the sale of equipment shall be credited to said account and may be used for additional purchases of equipment. Any administrative costs incurred in carrying out the provisions of this section shall be paid from the account.
(b) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section, including criteria for eligibility of fire companies and application procedures for the purchase of fire-fighting equipment.
(P.A. 84-347, S. 1, 5; P.A. 86-312, S. 9, 21; P.A. 11-80, S. 1.)
History: P.A. 86-312 changed equipment “fund” from a revolving fund to a separate “account” within the general fund; pursuant to P.A. 11-80, “Commissioner of Environmental Protection” was changed editorially by the Revisors to “Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection”, effective July 1, 2011.
Structure Connecticut General Statutes
Title 23 - Parks, Forests and Public Shade Trees
Section 23-33. - Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection to be State Forest Fire Warden.
Section 23-34. - Prosecutorial powers of State Forest Fire Warden.
Section 23-35. - Fire-fighting crews.
Section 23-36. - Powers and duties of State Forest Fire Warden.
Section 23-37a. - Forest fire-fighting equipment for fire companies.
Section 23-37b. - Forest fire-fighting equipment account.
Section 23-37c. - Termination of forest fire-fighting equipment account.
Section 23-38. - Posting of notices containing fire laws.
Section 23-39. - Compensation of wardens and firefighters.
Section 23-40. - Patrol personnel.
Section 23-41. - Disposal of receipts.
Section 23-42. - Liability of railroads for damages caused by sparks.
Section 23-43. - Determination of railroad fire hazards.
Section 23-44. - Protection from railroad fire hazards.
Section 23-45. - Regulations by commissioner. Violations. Penalty.
Section 23-46. - Removal of cut brush along highways. Penalty.
Section 23-47. - Forest fire hazards.
Section 23-48. - Kindling fire in the open. Penalty.
Section 23-49. - Permits for kindling fires. Exemptions.
Section 23-49a. - Declaration of burning ban; special burning permit; penalty; exemptions.
Section 23-50. - Closing of forests by the Governor.
Section 23-51. - Abandoned highways may be maintained for fire prevention.
Section 23-52. - Recovery of expenses for extinguishing fires.