1. (A) This chapter may be cited as the "South Carolina Firefighters Employment and Registration Act".

2. (B) For purposes of this chapter:

   1. (1) "Employer" means any fire department or other entity which puts an individual or employee in service as a firefighter or assigns any person to work or to official duties as a firefighter whether or not the firefighter receives financial compensation.
   2. (2) "Employment date" means the date the fire chief certifies the firefighter is trained and prepared to perform firefighting duties.
   3. (3) "Fire chief" means the highest ranking officer or official in charge of a fire department, whether or not called by some other title.
   4. (4) "Fire department" means any organization providing rescue, fire suppression, and related activities including any public or government sponsored organizations engaged in rescue, fire suppression, and related activities.
   5. (5) "Firefighter" means any person, male or female, paid or unpaid, who engages in rescue, fire suppression, or related activities under the supervision of a fire chief or fire department.
   6. (6) "Firefighting duties" means duties relating to rescue, fire suppression, public safety, and related activities as assigned by a fire chief.

HISTORY: 2001 Act No. 60, Section 1.