(a) A request for assistance from the fund shall be submitted to the director.
(a-1) A volunteer fire department whose equipment is damaged or lost in responding to a declared state of disaster under Section 418.014 in an area subject to the declaration may submit a request for emergency assistance from the fund for:
(1) the replacement or repair of damaged or lost personal protective equipment or other firefighting equipment; and
(2) the purchase of a machine to clean personal protective equipment.
(b) On receiving a request for assistance, the director shall determine whether to provide assistance and the amount of the assistance to be provided, if any, based on the criteria developed under Section 614.102. A written copy of the decision shall be sent to the requestor.