812                                       LAWS OF MARYLAND                             [Ch. 4

AIL LIABILITY, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED
HEREINAFTER, THAT MAY ARISE EITHER UNDER THE LAWS OF
THE REQUESTING STATE OR UNDER THE LAWS OF THE AIDING
STATE OR UNDER THE LAWS OF A THIRD STATE ON ACCOUNT OF
OR IN CONNECTION WITH A REQUEST FOR AID, SHALL BE
ASSUMED AND BORNE BY THE REQUESTING STATE.

ANY MEMBER STATE RENDERING OUTSIDE AID PURSUANT
TO THIS COMPACT SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY THE MEMBER
STATE RECEIVING SUCH AID FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE TO, OR
EXPENSE INCURRED IN THE OPERATION OF ANY EQUIPMENT
ANSWERING A REQUEST FOR AID, AND FOR THE COST OF ALL
MATERIALS, TRANSPORTATION, WAGES, SALARIES, AND
MAINTENANCE OF EMPLOYEES AND EQUIPMENT INCURRED IN
CONNECTION WITH SUCH REQUEST; PROVIDED, THAT NOTHING
HEREIN CONTAINED SHALL PREVENT ANY ASSISTING MEMBER
STATE FROM ASSUMING SUCH LOSS, DAMAGE, EXPENSE OR
OTHER COST OR FROM LOANING SUCH EQUIPMENT OR FROM
DONATING SUCH SERVICES TO THE RECEIVING MEMBER STATE
WITHOUT CHARGE OR COST.

EACH MEMBER STATE SHALL PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT
OF COMPENSATION AND DEATH BENEFITS TO INJURED
EMPLOYEES AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF DECEASED
EMPLOYEES IN CASE EMPLOYEES SUSTAIN INJURIES OR ARE
KILLED WHILE RENDERING OUTSIDE AID PURSUANT TO THIS
COMPACT, IN THE SAME MANNER AND ON THE SAME TERMS AS
IF THE INJURY OR DEATH WERE SUSTAINED WITHIN SUCH
STATE.

FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS COMPACT THE TERM
"EMPLOYEE" SHALL INCLUDE ANY VOLUNTEER OR AUXILIARY
LEGALLY INCLUDED WITHIN THE FOREST FIRE FIGHTING
FORCES OF THE AIDING STATE UNDER THE LAWS THEREOF.

THE COMPACT ADMINISTRATORS SHALL FORMULATE
PROCEDURES FOR CLAIMS AND REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THE
PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE MEMBER STATES.

ARTICLE VI

NOTHING IN THIS COMPACT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO
AUTHORIZE OR PERMIT ANY MEMBER STATE TO CURTAIL OR
DIMINISH ITS FOREST FIRE FIGHTING FORCES, EQUIPMENT,
SERVICES OR FACILITIES, AND IT SHALL BE THE DUTY AND
RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH MEMBER STATE TO MAINTAIN
ADEQUATE FOREST FIRE FIGHTING FORCES AND EQUIPMENT TO
MEET DEMANDS FOR FOREST FIRE PROTECTION WITHIN ITS
BORDERS IN THE SAME MANNER AND TO THE SAME EXTENT AS