§ 656. Emergency equipment and apparatus. If, in the protection of human life and property, the sheriff shall deem it necessary to hire any equipment or apparatus together with the operator thereof, he may hire the same during the period of an emergency or catastrophe at a reasonable charge therefor. The same shall be audited and paid as a county charge in the manner prescribed by the board of supervisors, and in the discretion of such board, there may be a direction that the further hiring and payment be approved by the chairman of the board or of a designated committee of such board.