(1) Authorized officials using emergency workers have the responsibility to ensure those emergency workers meet basic qualifications as stated in these rules. Authorized officials organizing and using emergency workers are responsible for assembling the proper combination of emergency workers with the skills and abilities to accomplish the mission being undertaken. It is acknowledged that authorized officials must use judgment and experience in assessing the scene and the requirements for the missions.

(2) Authorized officials may also require emergency workers to demonstrate proficiency in the skills required to carry out their assignments.

(3) Authorized officials shall ensure that all emergency workers are aware of their duty to comply with the personal responsibilities contained in WAC 468-200-200. This shall be accomplished at the time of registration with the aviation division and should be reemphasized to the worker at periodic intervals.

(4) The state recognizes that many situations to which emergency workers are asked to respond are inherently hazardous. It is incumbent upon authorized officials utilizing emergency workers to ensure that workers are not needlessly endangered in mission activities or training events. The emergency worker must also recognize potentially hazardous operations and not accept the assignment unless the worker is confident that their training and skill level will allow the task to be accomplished safely.

(5) All prudent and reasonable safety procedures, techniques, equipment, and expertise shall be used to ensure the safety of emergency workers at all times while going to, preparing for, performing, recovering from, and returning from, missions or training events.