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HomeGovernment CodeDiv. 1Pt. 1Ch. 1Art. 4§ 50086 Volunteer Rescue Immunity

§ 50086 Volunteer Rescue Immunity

Government Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 50086 Volunteer Rescue Immunity

Key Takeaways

  • •If you're called by police, fire, or park rangers to help in a search or rescue, and you have proper first aid training, you won’t get in trouble if something goes wrong while you’re helping.
  • •This protection only applies if you’re helping in good faith (meaning you’re trying your best to help, not being careless).
  • •The help you give can include first aid, medical care, rescue steps, or even moving the person to safety.

Example

You’re hiking and a park ranger asks you to help find a lost hiker. You have first aid training, so you help give them water and bandage a cut until the paramedics arrive.

If the lost hiker later says you made their injury worse, this law protects you from being sued because you were trying to help in good faith.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 50086 Volunteer Rescue Immunity

No person who is summoned by a county sheriff, city police department, fire department, park ranger, or other local agency to voluntarily assist in a search or rescue operation, who possesses first aid training equivalent to the Red Cross advanced first aid and emergency care training standards, and who in good faith renders emergency services to a victim prior to or during the evacuation or extrication of the victim, shall be liable for any civil damages as a result of any acts or omissions by such person in rendering such emergency services. For the purposes of this section, “emergency services” includes, but is not limited to, first aid and medical services, rescue procedures, and transportation or other related activities necessary to insure the safety of the victim who is the object of the search or rescue operation. (Added by Stats. 1975, Ch. 1065.)

Last verified: January 22, 2026

Key Terms

evacuationmedicalrescuedamagesfireemergencyportsafety

Related Statutes

  • § 53100 Emergency Number Standardization Act
  • § 53100.5 Emergency Services Statewide Policy
  • § 12811.3 Peace Officer Transfer Rights
  • § 29127 Emergency Expenditure Authority
  • § 50032 Large Outdoor Event Safety

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Government Code. Section 50086.
View Official Source