---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 1856m"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "1856m"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/1856m"
units:
  - "Chapter 15A — Reciprocal Fire Protection Agreements"
  - "Subchapter II — Wildfire Suppression with Foreign Fire Organization"
---

# §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](#2), arranging for, and paying the costs of, representation in the applicable litigation.
- (2) **Federal firefighter—** The term “Federal firefighter” means an individual furnished by the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of Agriculture or the [Secretary](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=2) of the Interior under an agreement entered into under [section 1856n of this title](/usc/42/1856n.md).
- (3) **Foreign fire organization—** The term “foreign fire organization” means any foreign governmental, public, or private entity that has [wildfire protection resources](#6).
- (4) **Foreign firefighter—** The term “foreign firefighter” means an individual furnished by a [foreign fire organization](#3) under an agreement entered into under [section 1856n of this title](/usc/42/1856n.md).
- (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](#5) 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.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 1856m, Pub. L. 100–428, § 2, Sept. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 1615, related to definitions, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title IV, § 411(2), Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1039.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Short Title of 1989 Amendment

Pub. L. 101–11, § 1, Apr. 7, 1989, 103 Stat. 15, provided that: “This Act [repealing section 1856p of this title] may be cited as the ‘Wildfire Suppression Assistance Act’.”

### Short Title

Pub. L. 100–428, § 1, Sept. 9, 1988, 102 Stat. 1615, as amended by Pub. L. 112–74, div. E, title IV, § 411(1), Dec. 23, 2011, 125 Stat. 1039, provided that: “This Act [enacting this subchapter] may be cited as the ‘Emergency Wildfire Suppression Act’.”