42 USC § 1856m - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t42/s1856m"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "42 USC § 1856m - Definitions"
title_number: 42
title_name: "THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE"
section_number: "1856m"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 15
chapter_name: "RECIPROCAL FIRE PROTECTION AGREEMENTS"
subchapter_number: "II"
subchapter_name: "WILDFIRE SUPPRESSION WITH FOREIGN FIRE ORGANIZATION"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 100–428, § 2, as added Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title IV, § 411(2), Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1039.)"
---


# § 1856m. Definitions

In this subchapter:

**(1)** **Assume any and all liability** The term “assume any and all liability” means—

**(A)** the payment of—

**(i)** any judgment, settlement, fine, penalty, or cost assessment (including prevailing party legal fees) associated with the applicable litigation; and

**(ii)** any cost incurred in handling the applicable litigation (including legal fees); and

**(B)** with respect to a Federal firefighter, arranging for, and paying the costs of, representation in the applicable litigation.

**(2)** **Federal firefighter** section 1856n of this title

The term “Federal firefighter” means an individual furnished by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior under an agreement entered into under .

**(3)** **Foreign fire organization** The term “foreign fire organization” means any foreign governmental, public, or private entity that has wildfire protection resources.

**(4)** **Foreign firefighter** section 1856n of this title

The term “foreign firefighter” means an individual furnished by a foreign fire organization under an agreement entered into under .

**(5)** **Wildfire** The term “wildfire” means any forest or range fire.

**(6)** **Wildfire protection resources** The term “wildfire protection resources” means any personnel, supplies, equipment, or other resources required for wildfire presuppression and suppression activities.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 100–428, § 2, as added Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title IV, § 411(2), Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1039.)

## Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 1856m, , , , related to definitions, prior to repeal by , , .

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Short Title of 1989 Amendment

> “This Act [repealing
> 
> ] may be cited as the ‘Wildfire Suppression Assistance Act’.”

, , , provided that:

### Short Title

> “This Act [enacting this subchapter] may be cited as the ‘Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act’.”

, , , as amended by , , , provided that: