(a) For the purposes of workers' compensation any injury, disability or death incurred by a firefighter by reason of the firefighter's participation in authorized training, proceeding to or engaging in a fire suppression or rescue operation, or the protection or preservation of life or property, anywhere in the state is considered to have arisen out of and been sustained in the course of employment, and the fire department or regularly organized volunteer fire department of the firefighter's primary employment or registration is considered to be the employer, except when the injured, at the time of injury or death, is acting for compensation from another.
(b) Nothing in this section requires the extension of benefits to a firefighter employed by a municipality which by law or regulation expressly prohibits the activity giving rise to the injury, disability, or death.