Life and rescue - Emergency workers

     Applies to employees of nongovernmental employers provided in response to a request for assistance by a state or local official in the "life and rescue phase" of a declared emergency. This classification is only applicable for reporting the exposures (worker hours and claims) of nongovernmental employees occurring during this phase of the declared emergency. The phrase "life and rescue phase" is defined in RCW 51.16.220 as being the first seventy-two hours after a natural or man-made disaster has occurred. To qualify for this special classification, a state or local official such as, but not limited to, the governor; a county executive; a mayor; a fire marshal; a sheriff or police chief must declare an emergency and must request help from private sector employers to assist in locating and rescuing disaster survivors.