---
title: O.C.G.A. § 25-3-21. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 25-3-21
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 25-3-21 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/25-3-21
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/25-3-21.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/25-3-21/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t25-t26-(v21)-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=82f520c4_0#page=8
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/25-3.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/25-3-20.md
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: FIRE PROTECTION AND SAFETY / LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS GENERALLY / MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 25-3-21. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) “Executive director” means the executive director of the Georgia Firefighter Standards and Training Council.

(2)(A) “Fire department” means any fire department, including, but not limited to, a fire department solely utilizing volunteer firefighters, which is authorized to exercise the general and emergency powers enumerated in Code Sections 25-3-1 and 25-3-2.

(B) “Fire department” also means any department, agency, organization, or company operating in this state with the intent and purpose of carrying out the duties, functions, powers, and responsibilities normally associated with a fire department. These duties, functions, powers, and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the protection of life and property against fire, explosions, or other hazards.

(3) “Firefighter” means any able-bodied person at least 18 years of age who has been duly appointed by a legally constituted fire department and who has the responsibility of preventing and suppressing fires, protecting life and property, and performing other duties enumerated in Code Sections 25-3-1 and 25-3-2.

## History

Code 1981, § 25-3-21, enacted by Ga. L. 1984, p. 1000, § 3; Ga. L. 1985, p. 1493, § 1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 341, § 1; Ga. L. 2025, p. 332, § 6-1/SB 96, effective July 1, 2025.

## Amendments

The 2025 amendment, effective July 1, 2025, inserted “, including, but not limited to, a fire department solely utilizing volunteer firefighters,” in subparagraph (2)(A); and in subparagraph (2)(B), inserted a comma following “include” and “not limited to”.