The governing authorities of any municipality having a population in excess of 140,000 people by virtue of the 1960 census are hereby authorized to purchase insurance coverage to protect firemen working under the direction of the municipal authorities, against any suit or claims growing out of any action of such firemen guilty of false arrest, false imprisonment, false or improper service of process, malicious prosecution or any other claim resulting from such officers’ performance of official duties.
Such municipal authorities shall have the right to pay out of the general fund of such municipality any premiums which may become due on the aforesaid insurance policies.