1. A “fire protection district” is a political subdivision which is organized and empowered to supply protection by any available means to persons and property against injuries and damage from fire and from hazards which do or may cause fire, and which is also empowered to render first aid for the purpose of saving lives, and to give assistance in the event of an accident or emergency of any kind. The district must consist of contiguous tracts or parcels of property containing all or parts of one or more counties, and may include within its boundaries, or may be contiguous with, any city, town or village.

2. The word “board” as used in this chapter shall mean the board of directors of a fire protection district.

3. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, all elections herein provided for shall be held and conducted and the returns thereof made, examined, and cast up in the same manner and in all respects as in elections for state and county officers.