Frequently Asked Questions: 

Risk Management  

Q.  If another District uses our vehicle, who’s insurance applies?

A.  The insurance generally follows the vehicle. Therefore, if you lend the vehicle, you are also “lending” your insurance. This increases your risk and Enduris recommends against it. However, it is possible to transfer the risk through a contract or agreement. There is no coverage from Enduris if you lease out your vehicle (charge money for the use of your vehicle). Please contact our office regarding risk transfer through contracts and agreements.

Q. If I use my personal vehicle for District business, am I covered by Enduris?

A.  As a general rule, insurance follows the vehicle. When you use your personal car for District business, Enduris coverage is excess over your personal insurance. Therefore, it is a good practice to have proof of insurance from those employees who use their personal vehicle for District business.

Q.  Should our District allow community groups to use our facility for meetings?

 A.  If you choose to allow the community to have meetings at your facility, the group should provide the District with a completed Facility Use Agreement and proof of insurance naming your District as an additional insured. The Agreement should have indemnification and hold harmless language. See the Administration section of the Risk Management Handbook for sample Facility Use Agreements.    

Q.  Does Enduris have a minimum age for volunteers?

A.  Enduris does not have a minimum age requirement for volunteers of member districts. However, we strongly recommend against using volunteers under 16 years of age due to the level of supervision necessary. We also strongly recommend developing and adopting a written policy for the volunteers. See Volunteer section of the Risk Management Handbook. 

Q.  Are background checks mandatory for hiring employees and/or volunteers?

A.  Yes and no. For some types of entities, the RCW dictates that a background check is mandatory. For members that have volunteers or employees that will be working with children and/or vulnerable adults, a background check should be mandatory. Enduris recommends that members develop policies and procedures to implement background checks. Enduris also recommends that the background check be completed before hiring.

Q.  Do I need to turn our volunteers’ working hours into the Department of Labor and Industries?

A.  Yes. In order for the volunteers to be eligible for medical benefits in the event they are injured while in the course of volunteering for your District, the District needs to report their hours.

Fire districts should report non-responder’s hours to L & I. Volunteers responding to emergency calls are eligible to participate in the state Board for Volunteer Firefighters.

Q.  Will I be covered while sitting on a Board of another agency?

A.  Generally speaking, no. In the Memorandum of Coverage (MOC), the definition of a member is “any elected or lawfully appointed officer, executive officer, official, trustee, director, employee, or volunteers of the member, but only while acting within the scope of his or her duties as such.” (See MOC for further definition)

      The entity in which you are sitting on the board should provide coverage.

Q.  Is there a recommended age limit for a person driving a piece of equipment?

A.  Enduris does not recommend anyone under the age of 18 driving any district equipment and highly recommends operators be over 21 years of age. Enduris members must comply with L & I requirements.

Q.  If our district allows another district to borrow equipment, does there need to be anything in writing?

A.  If they are just borrowing a box of pencils, no. But in most cases the answer is yes.  It is important that the borrower accept responsibility for the equipment and its use. It is also important that they accept the equipment “as is”. There should be a written agreement clearly identifying the dates, terms, responsibility, and use of the equipment.  See sample agreements in the Risk Management Handbook. 

Q.  Can we allow children or adults to ride on our fire truck or vehicle in a parade?

A.  Only if they are legally seated and belted. Minors must have written permission. Hanging off the back or side of the truck is never a good idea.

Q.  Do signs and posted warnings help prevent accidents?

A.  Yes and no. People often walk right by posted signs and do not notice them. However, if an accident occurs and there are no signs, the first thing said is, “it’s not my fault, there were no signs.” There are no hard and fast rules. Most signs are optional, some are mandatory (i.e. no smoking near fuel pumps).

Q.  Does Enduris coverage include insuring “independent contractors?”

A.  To be covered by Enduris, you must be a Member. “Who is a Member” in the Memorandum of Coverage (MOC) is “Any elected or lawfully appointed officer, executive officer, official trustee, director, employee, or volunteer of the Member, but only while acting within the scope of his or her duties as such.” Independent contractors do not meet the definition of Member and are not covered.

Q.  Our entity has never had a claim. Why do we need to appoint an Agent to Receive Claims?

A.  According to RCW 4.96, all governmental entities must appoint an agent to receive claims. This must be done in a resolution and recorded with your County’s Auditor’s office.