Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2005

H.R. 1088, the Good Samaritan Volunteer Firefighter Assistance Act of 2005, aims to increase the amount of equipment available to volunteer fire departments by reducing the legal risks for donors. The bill provides that individuals, businesses, or government entities that donate fire control or rescue gear to volunteer companies cannot be held civilly liable for injuries or damages caused by that equipment after it is donated.

This protection does not apply to equipment manufacturers or in cases where a donor engages in intentional misconduct or gross negligence. By preempting state laws that offer less protection, the bill seeks to encourage the donation of functional, used equipment to resource-strapped rural and volunteer stations without the fear of costly lawsuits.