Responding to fires or emergencies beyond corporate boundaries, exception — liabilities for claims, death or injuries — charges for responding

1. Fire protection districts, when asked to respond to fires or other emergencies beyond its corporate boundaries may charge for those services rendered. 2. When formal mutual aid agreements are in place with adjoining areas and departments, this provision is not applicable except by formal agreement and contract with the adjoining department. 3. In responding to fires or other emergencies outside the corporate boundaries of a fire protection district, the fire protection district responding and its firefighters shall be subject to the same liabilities for claims for death or injury to persons or property as those subjected to when responding to fires or emergencies within their respective fire protection district. 4. In responding to fires or emergencies outside the corporate boundaries of the fire protection district, the fire protection district responding may charge up to the following fees: (1) One hundred dollars for responding to each fire call or alarm; (2) Five hundred dollars for each hour or a proportional sum for each quarter hour spent in combating a fire or emergency. 5. No property owner shall be liable for fees or charges under this section if the property owner has previously entered into an agreement with the fire protection district in writing, prior to the occurrence of the fire or emergency.