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GOVERNMENT / FIRST RESPONDERS

FIRE DEPARTMENTS
 

AFRS provides certified FIRE/FAA/FEMA pilots to augment your winning team.

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We respond, launch, and feed your incident command vital information they need to make informed decisions about your operation.

Our public safety grade drones can operate in extreme weather conditions (rain, snow, freezing temps).
 

Fire Ground Safety

  • Eye in the sky allows your team to quickly identify ground threats night or day

  • Pinpoint temperature measurements allows AFRS to evaluate exposure risks

  • AFRS thermal punches through smoke to identify heat threats

  • Live streaming of unique scenes to remote experts (hazmat, derailments, etc)

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Communication Amenities

  • Mobile self healing data.  Utilizes multiple cellular providers and Firstnet

  • Can expose secure internet to incident command and the public

  • LRAD technology speaker allows broadcast messages from the sky.   Directs public to firstaid, shelters, food, water when traditional landline/LTE phones are down.


Training

  • Air analysis of ground operations improves training

  • Cloud storage allows staff to review on-site or remote

  • Efficiency of operations is easily evaluated from cloud storage

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Fire Prevention/Detection

  • Onboard laser pinpointing can quickly identify the exact coordinates of unauthorized open burns

  • Long distance visual capabilities can identify community fire hazards

  • Intelligence about community fire hazards can lead to "teachable moments" to encourage safety VS  regulatory enforcement
     

Search/Rescue

  • Our high resolution thermal can quickly identify lost persons in wooded areas as well as roadway ejections

  • 3D terrain mapping (night/day) allows evaluation before sending in equipment or personnel

  • We can easily update old satellite maps with current view with higher resolution

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Hazmat

  • Long range cameras allow placard reading from a distance (warm/cold zone)

  • Labeling on containers or railcars can be read at great distances

  • Plumes or ground based clustering of gas can be spotted from great distances

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FEMA Pre-Planning

  • Pre incident scene mapping allows your team to have updated air mapping VS stale satellite maps

  • AFRS will participate in your mock training exercises to help scene integration

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Fire Inspection/Investigation

  • All video is stamped with coordinates, aircraft ID, and other relevant information for investigative needs

  • Measurements and distance can be done through our cloud based tools

  • Our pilots are certified FIRE/FEMA/FAA - This maintains compliance

  • Chain of custody maintained by serial numbered SD card footage

PEACE OFFICERS
 

AFRS provides certified FIRE/FAA/FEMA pilots to augment your winning team.

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We respond and launch to any situation where your team believes you will require advanced fire services.

 

In short... AFRS will assist your peace officers with any task where you would normally summon a fire department.

Chain of custody is maintained by the peace officer in charge taking possession of our SD card directly from the aircraft.  
 

Examples where AFRS would assist are:

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Lost Persons

  • Locating lost suspects in wooded, commercial, residential areas

  • Locating elderly or persons suffering from mental disabilities

  • Bail outs where suspects have fled and a search is required

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Active Scenes

  • Barricaded suspects

  • Active shooters

  • Suspicious packages

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Communication Amenities

  • Mobile self healing data.  Utilizes multiple cellular providers and Firstnet

  • LRAD technology speaker allows broadcast messages from the sky.   Communicating to persons in wooded areas, barricaded persons, etc.

  • LRAD speaker helps mitigate Canine injuries by alerting public to released canines

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MUNICIPAL OPERATIONS
 

AFRS provides certified FIRE/FAA/FEMA pilots to augment your winning team.   AFRS maintains staff that are cross trained by DHS on various infrastructure needs.

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AFRS is authorized to provide services related to protection of our national infrastructure.   This includes water ways, water works, utilities, and roadways.

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Examples where AFRS would assist are:

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Mapping

  • AFRS can perform large scale 2D/3D mapping of your community

  • Terrain mapping allows your team to realize dynamic mapping abilities

  • Our aircraft are dual RTK capable and linked with the state.  Providing centimeter accuracy

  • Our cloud based tools allow your team to perform close to life measurements for planning needs

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Roadways/Bridges

  • Our thermal cameras have the ability to detect potholes before they impact travelers

  • Our high resolution cameras can easily capture pictures or video your engineers may require

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Waterways/Wetlands/Runoff

  • AFRS high resolution mapping and video abilities allow amazing analysis of water

  • Easily identify creeks and newly formed waterways

  • Identify runoff and erosion

  • Identify blocked waterways

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Utilities

  • AFRS high resolution cameras allow temperature analysis of utility components

  • Facilities can easily be viewed (towers, valves, remote equipment)

  • Thermal abilities allow you to spot equipment operating out of specification

PUBLIC OUTREACH
 

AFRS believes in helping the public with their needs.

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As long as time permits and we are not on an emergency call - We will do our best to schedule public outreach.

AFRS does NOT charge for public relations/outreach tasks.

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Examples where AFRS would assist are:

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Lost Pets

  • Is your loving family dog missing?   We may be able to help.

  • AFRS amazing thermal and camera abilities allows us to locate lost pets in some circumstances.

  • We work in conjunction with your ground team to provide you the exact coordinates of the lost pet if found.

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Missing Livestock

  • Similar to pets, if your livestock has wondered away... We may be able to help.

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Schools

  • AFRS will provide public demonstrations of our emergency robotic abilities to your students.

  • AFRS will share with your students what it's like being a fire pilot and the training required.

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Large Events/Security

  • AFRS will consider providing air support for your large event.

  • We can stay in the air constantly with brief changes of batteries and safety inspections.

  • AFRS will allow your peace officer or security team to review our live video feeds so they can determine risks or threats

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IMPORTANT - PUBLIC RELATIONS 
All requests for public relations should be phoned in to 614.642.4900 (option 2 administration).   

The officer on duty has complete discretion to accept or decline based on our availability or commitments.   

All emergency runs take precedence over public relations work and pilots may have to leave at a moments notice.

Fire Department
Peace Officers
Municipal Opperations
Public Outreach

WHY USE AFRS

Why Use AFRS
TRAINING

AFRS Leadership

  • Over 100 certifications from homeland security and public safety entities

  • Training spans topics related to: drone operations, counter drone operations, medical drone operations, hazmat, NCBRT, SAR, logistics and emergency management

  • Leadership leverages their knowledge to create internal policy and training needs

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Uniform Training

  • AFRS provides universal training for all internal Fire Pilots

  • Our SOPs and Regulations are based from regulatory guidelines and public safety knowledge

  • Internal training promotes a uniform experience for all consumers of AFRS

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AFRS Fire Pilots

  • OH-Fire1/2, FEMA, and FAA  certifications/licenses

  • FAA night operations certification

  • Emergency Vehicle Operations certification

  • Internal training related to unmanned vehicle operation, safety, and tactics

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SAVINGS

​AFRS Savings

  • We handle the staffing challenges (life insurance, LOD benefits, scheduling, etc)

  • We bear the burden of regulatory violations

  • We handle the cost of public safety vehicle maintenance, fuel, and unmanned vehicle maintenance
     

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REGULATORY

Our department has qualified immunity?   What do you mean fines?

  • Your qualified immunity does not extend to federal regulatory bodies

  • The FAA has issued stiff fines in the past

  • Violating FAA rules or laws could result in an undue hardship on tax payers and political pressure to terminate your drone program
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FAA

  • AFRS has met with the FAA and utilized their wisdom to create our SOPs and internal regulations

  • We stay up to date on changes regarding operation of unmanned aircraft

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Third Parties

  • AFRS maintains agreements with authorized third parties of FAA data

  • Data feeds allow us to instantly see flight restricted areas in near real time

  • Data feeds help us mitigate risk

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INSURANCE

Is your department covered?

  • Your department insurance may not cover unmanned vehicle injuries or property damage

  • Finding out after the fact can be costly and result in liability for your municipality

  • The public may suffer from the loss of your drone program

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AFRS Specializes in Emergency Robotics

  • Our insurance specifically covers public safety drone operation

  • We carry over 3 million in coverage

  • Our insurance covers both air and underwater unmanned operations

  • AFRS legislative immunity covers fire, search, rescue operations

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RESPONSE TIME

  • Our coverage areas are planned out with <30 minute response times

  • For life safety needs AFRS can utilize public safety response
    **NOTE:  Coverage times vary due to traffic and unforeseen obstructions.  Due regarding and response safety is paramount to response time.
     

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LAUNCH TIMES

  • When on scene and committed to launch, we strive for < 2 minute launch times (including boot up times, aircraft inspection, FAA authorization, and establishing launch zone safety)

  • We inspect our equipment at each shift change to lessen technical surprises on scene
     

Common Questions
OPERATION

What is the legal structure of AFRS?

  • AFRS legal authority is derived from ORC 9.60 and other state/federal statutes

  • AFRS and it's members maintain the same immunity as government fire agencies

  • Ohio legislation permits government and private fire companies to serve a community

  • Municipalities and private organizations can contract with AFRS

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What are your response times?

  • GPS/AVL CAD dispatch allows us to locate the nearest AFRS unit to your incident

  • Our estimated response for air support is approximately 30 minutes within our coverage areas
    *** Our response times are NOT guaranteed as there are many factors that can impact our arrival or availability.

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What training do AFRS field operators have?

  • AFRS field staff must have current: OH-Fire, FEMA, and FAA  certifications/licenses

  • All AFRS pilots have night ops authorization from the FAA

  • All AFRS pilots are internally trained on thermography, safety, and regulatory matters

  • Emergency vehicle operations
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What training does AFRS leadership have?​

  • Training spans a wide range of homeland security disciplines: critical infrastructure protection, dams and waterways, large scale event safety, underground pipelines, bombing prevention, bio/nuclear matters

  • Our board bylaws require fire, ems, peace officer, or military experience

  • Leadership has backgrounds in public safety, commercial aviation, unmanned aircraft, and homeland security training.
     

How do AFRS field operations integrate with your incident needs?

  • AFRS field operators are trained in FEMA ICS and NIMS

  • AFRS maintains radio contract with MARCS public safety radio system

  • AFRS respects the authority having jurisdiction and IC structure

  • AFRS has the ability to live stream the emergency scene to your IC team. (Firstnet data dependent)
     

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CONTRACTS / MUTUAL AID

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What about the Intrastate Mutual Aid law?

  • AFRS IS NOT bound to the < 8 hour billing restrictions for mutual aid

  • AFRS IS authorized to provide mutual aid by contract or verbal request

  • Verbal requests require written confirmation within 72 hours (ORC)

  • Contracted response is preferred.  Please reach out to us today to discuss the needs of your community

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How long is the contract for?

  • Ohio removed the three year contract barriers

  • AFRS permits 1-5 year contracts

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Can we bill insurance (home/auto/health) for AFRS?

  • AFRS is a legally authorized to provide fire/search/rescue service under state and federal statutes

  • The NFPA now recognizes unmanned vehicles and provides guidance for the operation of this vital fire/recue equipment

  • Billing for AFRS services should be no different than billing for any other resource your team may utilize on scene
     

When are accounts payable?​

  • If cost is due to AFRS - We provide 90 days net.

     

SCENARIOS

Can AFRS be used by any municipal resource (Police/Maintenance/Water/Sewer)

  • YES! - AFRS responds with public safety grade robotic equipment

  • AFRS will assist your municipality with any matters related to emergencies, national infrastructure, public welfare, or public safety

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Can AFRS be used to fly/dive our private business?

  • YES! - If your situation is believed to create a risk to the public welfare or health

  • YES! - If your business is directly part of our national infrastructure

NOTE:  If your needs are outside national infrastructure or fire related needs - We may consider your needs as part of public relations.

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Can AFRS review damaged bridges?

  • IF EMERGECY, YES! - AFRS is primarily geared for "public safety" or "critical infrastructure" protection

  • AFRS CAN stream the scene to YOUR trained professionals online so they can make informed decisions

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Can AFRS fly our pipelines or utility/communication infrastructure?

  • YES! - AFRS CAN stream the emergency scene to YOUR trained professionals online

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What are public relation matters AFRS may help with?

  • Lost pets when the animals or livestock

  • Locate trespassers or encampments on land

  • School presentations

  • Public demonstrations and speaking engagements
     

*NOTE:  All public relation matters are at the sole discretion of the officer on duty.   AFRS does NOT charge for public relation matters.

Do You Qualify

DO YOU QUALIFY?

You qualify for AFRS advanced fire/rescue services if:​

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  • You are a political subdivision within the state of Ohio (villages, cities, townships, counties, etc)

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OR

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  • You are a state or federal agency within Ohio.

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OR
 

  • You are a community member and AFRS elects to perform public relations to fit your needs.
     

OR

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  • You are a private organization who is considered an essential service or part of our national infrastructure and has facilities or business within the boundaries of Ohio.  (Utilities, infrastructure, transportation, agriculture)

Cost

WITHOUT AFRS

A typical in-house government drone program may cost:

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1st Year

  • Initial cost of air drone with batteries ($16,000)

  • Salary of your single public safety pilot ($55,000)

  • Pension, health, dental, life, LOD ($10,000)

  • Regulatory fines that may range from (10K-75K)

  • Extra drone insurance ($1,200)

  • Training ($800)​

   Total 1st year: $82,000 for ONE PILOT without using AFRS

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2+ Years

  • Salary of your single pilot ($55,00)

  • Pension, health, dental, life, LOD ($10,000)

  • Regulatory fines that may range from (10K-75K)

  • Extra drone insurance ($1,200)

  • Drone maintenance ($500)

​   Total for subsequent years: $66,700 for ONE PILOT without using AFRS

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*Above based on indeed salary for PD/FD + industry standard costs.

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Other Factors that may impact in-house government drone programs:​

  • Depreciation of unmanned equipment

  • Future upgrade costs

  • Maintenance (props, batteries, etc) - Adhering to manufactures recommendations

  • Vehicle maintenance, fuel, retro fitting costs

  • Limited pilot resources (if your certified staff are sick/vacation your drone is grounded)

  • Mandatory data retention periods and cloud storage fees

WITH AFRS

AFRS shared emergency robotic services allows you to enhance your safety plan without worrying about the woes of operating your own in-house drone program.​

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AFRS takes care of the regulatory concerns, staffing, training, drone maintenance, and all the other things that go along with operating a successful public safety drone program.

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AFRS funding comes from a combination of private donors and the communities we service.   This model of funding helps provide enhanced public safety services at a cost everyone can afford.

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When you summon AFRS, you receive a certified firefighter who is also cross licensed as a FAA pilot and trained in FEMA to easily adapt to your incident command structure.

AFRS staff carry the same legal immunity as government fire and we are fully insured for emergency operations that utilize robotic equipment.

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Put simply... You call, we fly.
 

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CONTRACT PRICING

By entering a contract with AFRS, you wash your hands of all responsibility of operating a drone program.  This means no insurance costs, no fines for violating FAA rules, and no staffing or equipment maintenance concerns.

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Villages, Unincorporated Regions, and Parks
$150.00 per month - Cloud data storage fees (mandatory data storage requirements)

Includes 4 hours of service per month.

$25.00 an hour thereafter.

If major emergency greater than 4 hours - Custom contract terms apply.

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Cities and Counties
$200.00 per month (base cost <=10,000 population) - Cloud data storage fees

Population Rates:
Add $50.00 per month for each 10,000 people above base.

Example:
10,001 to 20,000 = $250.00 per month
20,001 to 30,000 = $300.00 per month
30,001 to 40,000 = $350.00 per month
Includes 4 hours of service per month.

$45.00 an hour thereafter.

If major emergency greater than 4 hours - Contact will outline.

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WITHOUT CONTRACT - DIRECT CALL

First time gov callers = 2 hours is free, $100.00 an hour thereafter.

Must have request in writing within 72 hours per ORC.

We strongly encourage contract rates VS cold calling.​

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NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE

Infrastructure Urgency = $150.00 per hour.
Contract options are available.
Infrastructure NON-Emergency (2D/3D Mapping/Inspections) = Hourly fee based on needs.

PRIVATE BUSINESS
Private business needs outside the national infrastructure may be considered public outreach.   Each case is considered on a case by case basis.  Please phone us at 614.642.4900 (admin option) to see if we can accommodate your needs.
 

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Feel free to reach out to our administrative staff to learn more about making AFRS happen for your community.​  We will happily schedule a demonstration for your community leaders and agency heads.

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Contact us at 614-642-4900 (2 admin option) to schedule a demonstration.​

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Below you will find relevant notes and ORC that may assist you when forming your questions for AFRS staff.

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NOTES

1 - AFRS ONLY PROVIDES ADVANCED EMERGENCY ROBOTIC FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES.  WE DO *NOT* PROVIDE SUPRESSION SERVICES AT THIS TIME.

2 - AFRS IS NOT DESIGNED TO REPLACE YOUR EXISTING FIRE DEPARTMENT.   AFRS AUGMENTS YOUR WINNING TEAM WITH UNMANNED VEHICLE EQUIPMENT AND CERTIFIED STAFF TO EXECUTE THE MISSION.

3 - AFRS ABSORBS THE BURDEN RELATED TO UNMANNED OPERATIONS.   
EXAMPLES INCLUDE: UNMANNED VEHICLE INSURANCE, LIABILITY INSURANCE, STAFFING, TRAINING, PUBLIC SAFETY VEHICLES, REPORTING, AND REGULATORY MATTERS WITH THE FAA.

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4 - AFRS IS A "FIRE COMPANY" AS DEFINED BY ORC 9.60 AND OPERATES AS A SHARED RESOURCE FOR GOVERNMENT AND COMPONENTS OF OUR NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE.   

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5 - AFRS OPERATES SIMILAR TO A JOINT FIRE DISTRICT.  WE SPECIALIZE IN NFPA/FEMA COMPLIANT PUBLIC SAFETY ROBOTICS FOR FIRE PROTECTION, FIRE DETECTION, AND SEARCH/RESCUE MATTERS.

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REFERENCE - ORC 9.60 

https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-9.60


(5) "Private fire company" means a nonprofit group or organization owning and operating firefighting equipment not controlled by a firefighting agency.


(B) Any firefighting agency, private fire company, or emergency medical service organization may contract with any governmental entity in this state or another jurisdiction to provide fire protection or emergency medical services, as appropriate, whether on a regular basis or only in times of emergency, upon the approval of the governing boards or administrative heads of the entities that are parties to the contract.


(C) Any governmental entity in this state may contract with any firefighting agency, private fire company, or emergency medical service organization of this state or another jurisdiction to obtain fire protection or emergency medical services, as appropriate, whether on a regular basis or only in times of emergency, upon the approval of the governing boards or administrative heads of the entities that are parties to the contract.

DONATIONS

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