Title 23
Health and Safety

Chapter 28.2
Office of State Fire Marshal

§ 23-28.2-17. Relief from responsibility.

The state fire marshal, his or her deputies, and assistants, charged with the enforcement of the Fire Safety Code and the director of the fire academy and his or her instructors charged with fire education and training as governed by, chapters 28.1 through 28.39 of this title, shall not render themselves liable personally, and they are hereby relieved from all personal liability for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of their official duties. Any suit instituted against any officer or employee because of an act performed by him or her in the lawful discharge of his or her duties, and under the provisions of the Fire Safety Code and the fire education and training unit, shall be defended by the legal representative of the state until the final termination of the proceedings. In no case shall the fire marshal, his or her deputies, or assistants, the fire academy director or his or her instructors be liable for costs in any action, suit, or proceedings that may be instituted in pursuance of the provisions of the Fire Safety Code or the fire education and training unit, and any fire marshal or fire academy instructor, acting in good faith and without malice, shall be free from liability for acts performed under any of its provisions or by reason of any act or omission in the performance of his or her official duties in connection therewith. The protection afforded herein to the Rhode Island fire academy instructors shall apply only to those instructors who are active or retired members of a paid or volunteer Rhode Island fire department.