ORS 399.035: Oregon Civil Defense Force; volunteer civil defense forces.

(1) In addition to the federally recognized Oregon National Guard subject to call or order to federal service under laws of the United States, there shall be organized within the state a National Guard Reserve force. Such force shall be known as the Oregon Civil Defense Force, and shall be composed principally of officers, warrant officers and enlisted persons not eligible for general service under federal selective service laws. (2) In time of peace the Oregon Civil Defense Force shall be maintained at cadre strength in numbers to be determined by the Governor. (3) In time of peace the mission of the Oregon Civil Defense Force shall be to augment the Oregon National Guard as an internal security force. In time of war, it shall replace the Oregon National Guard as a force when the National Guard is ordered into federal service. (4) Whenever laws of the United States authorize the organization of such forces under federal recognition, the Governor shall promulgate such regulations as are necessary to comply with such federal laws and obtain federal recognition for the force authorized by this section. (5) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (4) of this section: (a) The Superintendent of State Police may form a volunteer Oregon State Police Civil Defense Force for the purpose of providing emergency response and communications, medical assistance, logistical support and other aid authorized by the superintendent. The superintendent, in collaboration with the Adjutant General, may assign delegate members of the Oregon State Police Civil Defense Force to command centers throughout this state. (b) The sheriff of a county in this state may form a volunteer County Civil Defense Force for the purpose of providing emergency response and communications, medical assistance, logistical support and other aid authorized by the sheriff. (6) Volunteers in the Oregon State Police Civil Defense Force or a County Civil Defense Force must possess and demonstrate experience or training in the military, law enforcement, communications, rescue operations or logistical support. (7)(a) Volunteers in the Oregon State Police Civil Defense Force or a County Civil Defense Force are not, by virtue of volunteering in the force, considered: (A) Members of the Oregon Civil Defense Force; (B) Employees or volunteers of the state; (C) In “state service,” as that term is defined in ORS 240.015; or (D) Agents of a public body under ORS 30.260 to 30.300 (Oregon Tort Claims Act) for the purpose of acts and omissions of the volunteer that are within the course and scope of the volunteer’s duties. (b) Unless entitled to compensation, reimbursement, benefits or coverage under any other provision of law, volunteers in the Oregon State Police Civil Defense Force or a County Civil Defense Force are not entitled to compensation, reimbursement for expenses, workers’ compensation or other insurance coverage, public employment benefits or entitlements from the Oregon Military Department, the Oregon Department of Emergency Management or any other state or local agency or government. [1961 c.454 §41; 1989 c.361 §6; 2017 c.472 §1; 2021 c.539 §31]