Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1954 NO. 270 >

1.  The failure of a fire protection district to enroll a fireman under the provisions of chapter 41.24 RCW does not preclude such fireman from receiving medical benefits under that chapter. 2.  The requirements that a volunteer fire department be regularly organized, and that it be operated and maintained by a municipal corporation, in order to be within the coverage of the pension and relief provisions of chapter 41.24 RCW, are met if the fire department is a functioning fire‑fighting unit, if it is recognized by the officers of the fire protection district as having a part in the fire protection scheme of the district, and if it shares in the funds of the district. 3.  A fire protection district is not liable to a volunteer fireman for the amount of medical expenses incurred by such fireman due to injuries sustained in the course of his duties as a fireman.