760 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 602

of any other political subdivision may, or if so ordered by the
Governor and/or the Maryland Council of Defense acting
through such person or persons as it may designate, shall as-
sign and make available for duty and use in such county, city,
town, village or fire district, under the direction and command
of such officer as may be designated for the purpose, any part
of the fire-fighting forces and equipment under his control;
provided that any equipment made available by loan, or other-
wise, to any county, city, town, village, or fire district in the
State, by the United States Government or any agency thereof,
shall at all times be subject to the order of the United States
Government or such agency in accordance with the terms and
conditions upon which such equipment shall have been made
available.

(b) Power s ? Duties, Rights, Privileges and Immunities.
Whenever the fire-fighting forces of any county, city, town,
village or fire district are rendering outside aid pursuant to
this Act, the officers and members of such fire-fighting forces
shall have the same powers, duties, rights, privileges, and im-
munities as if they were performing their duties in the political
subdivision in which they are normally employed.

(e) Loss, Damage or Expense. The county, city, town,
village or fire district in which any equipment is used pur-
suant to this Act shall be liable for any loss or damage thereto
and shall pay any expense incurred in the operation and main-
tenance thereof. No claim for any such loss, damage or ex-
pense shall be allowed unless, within sixty days after the same
is sustained or incurred, an itemized notice of such claim,
under oath, is served by mail or otherwise upon the chief fiscal
officer of such county, city, town, village or fire district, where
the equipment was used.

(d) Liability for Acts or Omissions. Neither the State
nor the political subdivision of the State whose fire-fighting
forces are rendering outside aid pursuant to this Act shall be
liable on account of any act or omission on the part of such
forces while so engaged, or on account of the maintenance or
use of any equipment or supplies in connection therewith;
nor shall any commissioner, chief or other superior officer of a
fire department, fire company or other fire-fighting forces, act
ing pursuant to this Act, be liable on account of any act or
omission, on the part of any of his subordinates while such
subordinates are rendering outside aid pursuant to this Act
under the command of an officer other than himself.

(e) Reimbursement for Salaries and Expenses. The politi-
cal subdivision which is aided pursuant to this Act shall re-
imburse the political subdivision furnishing such aid for the