ASSISTANCE IN MAN-MADE OR NATURAL DISASTER

(a) The governing body of a municipality, the chief of the fire department, or an emergency management director or coordinator designated for the municipality under Section 418.1015, Government Code, may request or accept any care, assistance, or advice described by Section 79.003(a), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, including the loan or operation of construction equipment or other heavy equipment by the owner or operator of the equipment, as applicable, or the donation of resources to the extent the governing body, chief, or emergency management director or coordinator believes necessary to address a man-made or natural disaster. (b) The commissioners court of a county, the county judge, the county fire marshal, an incorporated volunteer fire department under contract with a county under Section 352.001, a volunteer fire department described by Section 352.005, as applicable, or an emergency management director or coordinator designated for the county under Section 418.1015, Government Code, may request or accept any care, assistance, or advice described by Section 79.003(a), Civil Practice and Remedies Code, including the loan or operation of construction equipment or other heavy equipment by the owner or operator of the equipment, as applicable, or the donation of resources to the extent the commissioners court, county judge, county fire marshal, volunteer fire department, or emergency management director or coordinator believes necessary to address a man-made or natural disaster. (c) A person as defined by Section 79.001, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, who provides care, assistance, or advice to a municipality or county in the manner described by this section is immune from civil liability as provided by Section 79.003, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. (d) Subsection (a) or (b) does not authorize the acceptance of care, assistance, or advice in violation of any other law or contractual agreement that prohibits the acceptance of that care, assistance, or advice.