87.03.870 - Mutual aid agreements for emergency interdistrict assistance -- Authority -- Liability. - Washington Statutes

Mutual aid agreements for emergency interdistrict assistance — Authority — Liability.

(1) Under the interlocal cooperation act, chapter 39.34 RCW, an irrigation district may enter into a mutual aid agreement with any other irrigation district to provide emergency interdistrict assistance to respond to a breach or other failure of an irrigation water conveyance system when the required response exceeds the existing resources available to the district requesting assistance. Assistance may be provided without compensation.

     (2) Whenever the employees of an irrigation district are rendering outside aid pursuant to the authority contained in this section, the employees have the same powers, duties, rights, privileges, and immunities as if they were performing their duties in the irrigation district in which they are normally employed. Supervision of the employees may be temporarily delegated as provided by the mutual aid agreement.

     (3) The irrigation district in which any equipment is used pursuant to this section is liable for any loss or damage caused to the equipment and shall pay any ordinary expense incurred in the daily operation and maintenance of the equipment. No claim for loss, damage, or expense may be allowed unless, within sixty days after the loss, damage, or expense is sustained or incurred, an itemized notice of the claim under oath is served by mail or otherwise upon the secretary of the irrigation district where the equipment was used.

[1996 c 214 § 3.]