Volunteer Emergency Services Providers; Tire Purchases

Subdivision 1. Definitions. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the meanings given. (b) "Fire department" has the meaning given in section 299N.01, subdivision 2. (c) "Municipality" means a statutory or home rule charter city or a town. (d) "Volunteer emergency services provider" means a volunteer firefighter, as defined in section 299N.03, subdivision 7; volunteer ambulance attendant, as defined in section 144E.001, subdivision 15; volunteer paramedic; or any other volunteer emergency medical personnel performing emergency medical services for a municipality or fire department. Subd. 2. Tire purchases. A municipality or fire department may authorize a volunteer emergency services provider who has performed services for the municipality or fire department for at least three years and who is currently performing services for the municipality or fire department to purchase up to four vehicle tires for one personal vehicle owned by the volunteer emergency services provider every three years under a contract for tires from which the municipality or fire department purchases vehicle tires. The volunteer emergency services provider must pay for any tires purchased under this section, including all applicable taxes and fees. Subd. 3. Authorization requirements. (a) The authorization by a municipality or fire department to purchase tires under this section must be in writing on the municipality's or fire department's letterhead and include the following: (1) the volunteer emergency services provider's name; (2) the number of years the volunteer emergency services provider has performed services for the municipality or fire department; (3) the license plate number of the personal vehicle on which the tires will be placed; and (4) a reference to the contract under which the municipality or fire department purchases vehicle tires. (b) The municipality or fire department must document how many tires each volunteer emergency services provider purchases during the periods specified in this section.