Frequently Asked Questions
According to California state law, all CSUN and faculty, as employees of the state of California, are declared to be disaster service workers.
1.What does disaster service mean? Disaster service means all activities authorized by and carried out pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act.
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.
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.
California Public Employee Disaster Service Workers (DSW) California Government Code Section 3100-3109 It is hereby declared that the protection of the health and safety and preservation of the lives and property of the people of the state from the effects of natural, man-made, or war caused emergencies which result in conditions of disaster or extreme peril to life, property and resources is of paramount state importance...in protection of its citizens and resources, all public employees are hereby declared to be disaster service workers... All disaster service workers shall, before they enter upon the duties of their employment, take and subscribe to the California State Loyalty Oath or Affirmation.
For additional information visit the California Emergency Services Act website.
