323.72 Structural collapse emergency response.

(1) A regional structural collapse team shall assist in the emergency response to a structural collapse incident in a region of this state designated by the division. Whenever a regional structural collapse team assists in an emergency response under this subsection, it shall determine under the rules promulgated under sub. (5) whether an emergency requiring the team's response existed. If the regional structural collapse team determines that such an emergency existed, it shall make a good faith effort to identify the person who is required to reimburse the division under sub. (3) and shall provide that information to the division. The division shall contract with local agencies, as defined in s. 323.70 (1) (b), to establish no more than 4 regional structural collapse teams. A member of a regional structural collapse team shall meet the highest standards for a structural collapse team under the National Fire Protection Association standards NFPA 1006 and 1670.

(2) The division shall reimburse a regional structural collapse team for costs incurred by the team in responding to an emergency involving a structural collapse incident if the team determines that a structural collapse emergency requiring a response existed as provided under the rules promulgated under sub. (5). Reimbursement under this subsection is limited to amounts collected under sub. (3). Reimbursement under this subsection is available only if the regional structure collapse team has identified the person who is required to reimburse the division under sub. (3) and provided that information to the division.

(3) A person shall reimburse the division for costs incurred by a regional structural collapse team in responding to an emergency if the team determines under the rules promulgated under sub. (5) that an emergency requiring the team's response existed and that one of the following conditions applies:

(a) The person possessed or controlled a structure that was involved in the structural collapse.

(b) The person caused the structural collapse.

(4) A member of a regional structural collapse team who is acting under a contract under sub. (1) is considered an employee of the state for purposes of worker's compensation benefits.

(5)

(a) The division shall promulgate rules establishing standards to be used to determine if a regional structural response team has made a good faith effort to identify the person who is required to reimburse the division under sub. (3).

(b) The division shall promulgate rules that establish the procedures that a regional structural collapse team shall follow to determine if a structural collapse emergency requiring the team's response existed.

History: 2009 a. 43 s. 1; Stats. 2009 s. 323.72; 2011 a. 258 s. 67.