Funds paid to the county firefighters and rescue squad association, to be distributed to volunteer fire departments and emergency medical service squads, shall only be expended for fire protection and emergency medical services, including training, supplies, and equipment. The funds may also be expended to purchase insurance, including liability insurance, to insure coverage of acts or omissions which are directly related to the functions of a volunteer fire department or emergency medical service squad which are committed by a volunteer fire department or emergency medical service squad and the personnel of a volunteer fire department or emergency medical service squad. The funds may not be expended for salaries, food, drink, social activities, or fund-raising activities. After receiving the funds, the volunteer fire departments and emergency medical service squads shall keep accurate records to verify that the funds were properly expended. Should the Dale County Commission, in its sole discretion, find or determine that funds provided by this part have been improperly expended by any eligible volunteer fire department or emergency service squad, the department that has improperly expended the funds shall reimburse and refund to the Dale County Commission all such funds found by the county commission to have been improperly expended and, in addition thereto, shall pay a penalty amount equal to 10 percent of all improperly expended funds. Any volunteer fire department or emergency medical service squad that fails to comply with this part, at the discretion of the Dale County Commission, may be deemed to have forfeited the funds generated by this part and shall be subject to Section 45-23-141.10.
Last modified: May 3, 2021