2025 Session
Last amended: 1929 session
§ 438.08 — Municipalities to Fight Fires Outside of Limits
Plain-Language Summary
This section allows a city council to authorize its fire department to fight fires outside city limits, even across state lines. A five-sevenths vote of the council is needed to approve this.
438.08 MUNICIPALITIES TO FIGHT FIRES OUTSIDE OF LIMITS.
The council or any other body of any municipality having control of its fire department may by resolution adopted by a five-sevenths vote authorize its fire department, or any portion thereof, to attend and serve at fires outside of the limits of the municipality either within or without the state. In case the fire department is controlled by an individual this authorization shall be by written notice posted at the headquarters of the fire department.
History:
History: History: (1919-1) 1929 c 232 s 1
Practical Notes
Cities can send their firefighters to help with fires in other areas, including other states, if the council votes to allow it. This is the legal basis for mutual aid agreements between fire departments. The council needs a supermajority (five-sevenths) vote to authorize this.