OAR 629-170-0010: Purpose

(1) OAR 629-170-0001 through 629-170-0040 are intended to provide procedures to guide the exercise of authority granted in ORS 477.128 for the State Forestry Department to pay costs and reasonable attorney fees for defense of a firefighter charged with a crime resulting from actions or omissions occurring in the course of fire abatement duties. (2) Moreover, these rules and ORS 477.128 are intended to demonstrate to agency and association personnel that, if they make a dedicated effort to train and gain the critical experience required to be placed in positions of authority for fire suppression activities, and carry out their responsibilities in a conscientious manner, the department will support and assist in defending them.