Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1953 NO. 121 >

1. A fire district may own and operate an ambulance service. 2. A fireman's association may own and operate an ambulance service.

AGO 1962 NO. 140 >

(1) Under the provisions of § 9, chapter 255, Laws of 1961, if after an examination of and report on the condition of the firemen's pension fund by an actuary, it is determined that the condition of the fund is such as not to require all or part of the millage levy therein provided for, such millage may be omitted or levied and used for other municipal purposes. (2) The word "actuary" as used in RCW 41.16.060 means the computing officer of an insurance company; a person skilled in calculating the value of life interests, annuities, and insurance.  Whether or not an individual qualifies as an actuary is a question of fact since there is no legal provision in this state for crediting or qualifying an actuary for the purposes of RCW 41.16.060. (3) and (4) Examination and report of an actuary specified by RCW 41.16.060 contemplates an examination and report as to the actuarial soundness of the firemen's pension fund; not merely the anticipated cash disbursements or operating expenses of the fund for an ensuing fiscal year.

AGO 1960 NO. 148 >

RCW 41.18.060 gives the municipal firemen's pension board discretion to provide a disabled fireman with medical, hospital and nursing care as long as the disability exists.

AGO 1955 NO. 153 >

A paid fireman employed prior to January 1, 1947, who is a member of the pension system established by the Laws of 1909, is not entitled to a refund of his pension contributions if he resigns prior to twenty years' service.

AGO 1955 NO. 158 >

1. Elected officials, except where paid on fee basis, are eligible. 2. Superior court judges are ineligible. 3. Sheriff's department, harbor and fire patrols, airport guards, juvenile court employees, county engineer's traffic control officer, and other county law enforcement personnel are eligible. 4. Employees of superior court and Seattle‑King County health department are eligible. 5. Agricultural extension agents and horticultural inspectors are ineligible; other personnel in those departments are eligible.

AGO 1960 NO. 164 >

A fireman continuously employed by a city from September 1, 1942 until May 31, 1957, is not entitled to a refund of his contributions to the pension fund for the period from October 1, 1942 to March 11, 1947 irrespective of whether or not he filed a written notice under the provisions of RCW 41.18.160.

AGO 1958 NO. 207 >

(1) City clerk of first class city can designate fire station in the legislative district within the city as the fixed place for registering voters.  (2) City clerk is authorized to appoint an on-duty fireman as deputy registrar and pay him the minimum fee of 20 cents for each elector registered.  (3) A deputy registrar may register electors by going from door to door without specific authorization of the city clerk, but the city clerk is legally authorized to remove a deputy registrar at his discretion.

AGO 1954 NO. 261 >

1.  Firemen employed prior to January 1, 1947, are entitled to have their payroll deduction for support of the Firemen's Pension Fund reduced from 5% to 4% upon becoming eligible for retirement and continuing active employment.  2.  If a five percent deduction has been erroneously continued the pension board may legally reimburse the fireman for the excessive deduction from the pension fund.

AGO 1954 NO. 262 >

In order to qualify for the six months full salary benefit provided in Rem. Rev. Stat. Supp. § 9565, a temporarily disabled "prior fireman" must be so disabled as to require nursing and medical care.