Understanding the South Central Interstate Forest Fire Protection Compact
Hello, I’m Oklahoma City attorney Dillan Savage of Wirth Law Office, and I practice primarily in the Oklahoma City, Oklahoma area. Today we are going to be talking about the South Central Interstate Fire Protection Compact.
This is a compact that was put into place as an agreement between states to help one another protect their areas and assist when fires get out of control. Specifically, it involves states in the South Central region of the United States, such as Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, and of course, Oklahoma.
State Obligations and Assistance
Each state under this compact is obliged to have a fire protection plan in place. Whenever a need arises—such as a wild fire in Oklahoma or Mississippi—any state involved in this compact can request assistance from others.
Upon such a request, each participating state is obligated to assist in the protection and fire prevention efforts required. This cooperative approach ensures more effective firefighting measures and quicker responses to wildfire threats.
Cost Responsibilities and Consequences
When it comes to the costs associated with this assistance, those typically fall on the state that has requested aid. For example, if an employee from Oklahoma goes to another state to help fight fires and tragically loses their life in the line of duty, Oklahoma will handle the necessary insurance or other benefits as if the incident occurred in their home state.
This arrangement underscores the importance of mutual support during emergencies, enabling states to protect their populations effectively.
Learn More and Get Help
You can find a lot more details regarding this compact entitled to section 16-35. There is a wealth of information surrounding this compact, so if this is something you’re interested in, I encourage you to take a look at it.
If you found this video to be helpful or believe it could assist someone else, please visit theoklahomacityattorney.com. I’m Oklahoma City business law attorney Dillan Savage with Wirth Law Office, and I appreciate you watching.
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