A.  The legislature finds and declares that volunteer fire departments make up the vast majority of fire departments in the state, and the number of volunteers is declining.  Participation in volunteer fire departments is vital to public safety; therefore, it is crucial to the future of emergency services in this state to encourage  participation in volunteer fire departments.

B.  It is the purpose of this Part to provide for the creation of the Volunteer Firefighters’ Tuition Reimbursement Fund, wherein the state may financially reimburse eligible students who volunteer with volunteer fire departments.

Acts 2013, No. 310, §2.