Frequently Asked Questions
- What does disaster service mean?
- Who is included in the disaster service worker status?
- What is the scope of duties of employee disaster service workers?
- How are public employee's assigned disaster service activities?
- What is the oath or affirmation referred to in the governmental code?
- When do public employees take the oath or affirmation?
- Do public employees acting as disaster service workers get paid?
- Can Disaster Service Workers be sued for actions taken while performing duties?
1. What does disaster service mean?
Disaster service means all activities authorized by and carried out pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act to aid in the response and recovery phases of a disaster or emergency, including approved and documented training necessary or proper to engage in such activities.
2. Who is included in the disaster service worker status?
All public employees are included in the disaster service worker status which are all persons employed by any county, city, state agency or public district.
3. What is the scope of duties of employee disaster service workers?
Any public employee performing duties as a disaster service worker shall be considered to be acting within the scope of disaster service duties while assisting any unit of the organization or performing any act contributing to the protection of life or property or mitigating the effects of an emergency.
4. How are public employees’ assigned disaster service activities?
Public employers are assigned disaster service activities by their superiors or by law to assist the agency in carrying out its responsibilities during times of disaster.
5. What is the oath or affirmation referred to in the governmental code?
Before entering upon the duties of employment, all public employees take and subscribe to the oath or affirmation set forth in the California Constitution that declares them to be Disaster Service Workers in time of need. The oath or affirmation reaffirms an employee’s willingness to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California. CSUCI employees sign an Oath or Affirmation of Allegiance during the hiring process, and documentation of the Affirmation is kept in the employee’s personnel file.
6. When do public employees take the oath or affirmation?
Most public employees sign the oath or affirmation during the hiring process and it is kept with the employer.
7. Do public employees acting as disaster service workers get paid?
Public employees acting as disaster service workers get paid only if they have taken and subscribed to the oath or affirmation.
8. Can Disaster Service Workers be sued for actions taken while performing duties?
Public employee disaster service workers for nonprofit organizations and government cannot be held liable for their actions during a disaster while acting within the scope of their responsibilities.