Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1999 NO. 6 >

There is no statute barring a person over 18 years of age but less than 21 years of age from serving as a law enforcement officer, a prison guard, a firefighter, or a paramedic, provided that the person otherwise meets all qualifications for the job in question.

AGO 1994 NO. 12 >

1.  If, through annexation or incorporation, a city acquires more than 60 percent, but less than 100 percent, of the assessed valuation of the real property of a fire protection district, all of the district's assets and a proportionate share of the district's liabilities, pension fund assets and liabilities excepted, are transferred to the city.  2.  If, through annexation or incorporation, a city acquires more than 60 percent, but less than 100 percent, of the assessed valuation of the real property of a fire protection district which has existing liabilities for pension obligations established pursuant to chapter 41.16 or 41.18 RCW, and has funds dedicated for the payment of such obligations, both the liabilities and the assets are retained by the fire protection district.

AGO 2006 NO. 19 >

An increase in salary generally payable to all current firefighters, such as additional payment to all firefighters for qualifying as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), is “basic salary” for purposes of calculating the pensions of firefighters retired under RCW 41.18; by contrast, employer contributions to a deferred compensation plan would not meet the “basic salary” definition of the same statute.

AGO 1989 NO. 20 >

Because of RCW 41.08.040 and RCW 41.12.040, the secretary/chief examiner of a civil service commission created under chapter 41.08 or chapter 41.12 RCW must be either an existing employee of the city or a city resident; these provisions were left undisturbed when the current versions of RCW 41.08.075 and 41.12.075 were enacted.