144 Wn.2d 774, BABCOCK v. FIRE DISTRICT

«64» Id. at 692-93 (footnote omitted). The Superior Court order on summary judgment included the Fire District and its Commissioners, identified as Respondents before this court.

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On September 8, 2000 Petitioners Babcock sought review by this court«65» which was granted on January 9, 2001.«66»

DISCUSSION

Standard of Review

"Summary judgment is properly granted when the pleadings, affidavits, depositions, and admissions on file demonstrate there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law."«67» The moving party bears the burden of demonstrating there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact.«68» The appellate court engages in the same inquiry as the trial court when reviewing an order on summary judgment.«69» All facts and reasonable inferences are considered in a light most favorable to the nonmoving party.«70» All questions of law are reviewed de novo.«71»

Public Duty Doctrine

The "public duty doctrine" has modified the traditional concept of sovereign immunity. Municipalities are no longer protected by the shield of sovereign immunity.«72» "The threshold determination in a negligence action is

«65» Petition Requesting Discretionary Review to the Supreme Court, State of Washington, Washington Supreme Court, filed September 8, 2000.

«66» Order, Washington Supreme Court, filed January 9, 2001.

«67» Folsom v. Burger King, 135 Wn.2d 658, 663, 958 P.2d 301 (1998) (citing CR 56(c)).

«68» Folsom, 135 Wn.2d at 663 (citing Lamon v. McDonnell Douglas Corp., 91 Wn.2d 345, 349, 588 P.2d 1346 (1979)).

«69» Mountain Park Homeowners Ass'n v. Tydings, 125 Wn.2d 337, 341, 883 P.2d 1383 (1994) (citing Syrovy v. Alpine Res., Inc., 122 Wn.2d 544, 548 n.3, 859 P.2d 51 (1993)).

«70» Mountain Park Homeowners, 125 Wn.2d at 341 (citing Taggart v. State, 118 Wn.2d 195, 199, 822 P.2d 243 (1992); Syrovy, 122 Wn.2d at 548 n.3).

«71» Id.

«72» Bailey v. Town of Forks, 108 Wn.2d 262, 737 P.2d 1257 (1987).

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whether a duty of care is owed by the defendant to the plaintiff. Whether the defendant is a governmental entity or a private person, to be actionable, the duty must be one owed to the injured plaintiff, and not one owed to the public in general. This basic principle of negligence law is expressed in the 'public duty doctrine'."«73»

"Under the public duty doctrine, no liability may be imposed for a public official's negligent conduct unless it is shown that 'the duty breached was owed to the injured person as an individual and was not merely the breach of an obligation owed to the public in general (i.e., a duty to all is a duty to no one).'"«74»

In enacting RCW 4.96.010 in 1967 the Legislature stated that:

All local governmental entities, whether acting in a governmental or proprietary capacity, shall be liable for damages arising out of their tortious conduct, or the tortious conduct of their past or present officers, employees, or volunteers while performing or in good faith purporting to perform their official duties, to the same extent as if they were a private person or corporation. . . .«75»

To recover from a municipal corporation in tort under the public duty doctrine, a plaintiff must show the duty breached was owed to an individual and was not merely a general obligation owed to the public.«76»

There are four exceptions to the public duty doctrine in which the governmental agency acquires a special duty of care owed to a particular plaintiff or a limited class of

«73» Taylor v. Stevens County, 111 Wn.2d 159, 163, 759 P.2d 447 (1988) (citation omitted).

«74» Id. (quoting J & B Dev. Co. v. King County, 100 Wn.2d 299, 303, 669 P.2d 468 (1983), overruled on other grounds by Taylor, 111 Wn.2d at 168).

«75» RCW 4.96.010(1). See also Bailey, 108 Wn.2d at 265.

«76» Beal v. City of Seattle, 134 Wn.2d 769, 784, 954 P.2d 237 (1998) (citing Taylor, 111 Wn.2d at 163; Chambers-Castanes v. King County, 100 Wn.2d 275, 284, 669 P.2d 451 (1983)).

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potential plaintiffs.«77» These exceptions include (1) legislative intent; (2) failure to enforce; (3) the rescue doctrine; and (4) a special relationship.«78» Only the special relationship exception is at issue in this case.

Special Relationship Exception

"The special relationship exception is a 'focusing tool' used to determine whether a local government 'is under a general duty to a nebulous public or whether that duty has focused on the claimant.'"«79» A special relationship arises where "'(1) there is direct contact or privity between the public official and the injured plaintiff which sets the latter apart from the general public, and (2) there are express assurances given by a public official, which (3) gives rise to justifiable reliance on the part of the plaintiff.'"«80»

1. Privity Between the Mason County Fire District and Petitioners Babcock

Petitioners Babcock claim there was privity between them and Respondents because, while the Fire District had a duty to exclude bystanders, it had no duty to make specific assurances to them that their property would be protected.«81» They claim they were not only "reasonably foreseeable plaintiffs" but they also spoke to a fire fighter in person.«82» Petitioners assert that under Chambers-Castanes v. King County«83» it is not necessary to prove repeated promises by a governmental entity in order to establish privity.«84»

Respondents contend the one statement purportedly

«77» Bailey, 108 Wn.2d at 268.

«78» Id.

«79» Taylor, 111 Wn.2d at 166 (quoting J & B Dev. Co., 100 Wn.2d at 304-05).

«80» Beal, 134 Wn.2d at 785 (quoting Taylor, 111 Wn.2d at 166).

«81» Pet'rs' Suppl. Br. at 13.

«82» Id.

«83» Chambers-Castanes, 100 Wn.2d 275.

«84» Pet'rs' Suppl. Br. at 14.

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made by an unidentified fire fighter was not sufficiently detailed to create privity between the single member of the public and the government.«85» The Court of Appeals concluded Petitioners did not establish privity with Respondents that differed from its general relationship to any other fire victim.«86» The court indicated that, unlike in Chambers-Castanes where the police unreasonably delayed their arrival, the fire fighters in this case were reasonably fulfilling a Fire District policy to keep bystanders safe during a fire.«87» "The term privity is used in the broad sense of the word and refers to the relationship between the police department [or fire department] and any 'reasonably foreseeable plaintiff.'"«88» The direct contact or privity between the public official and an injured plaintiff must set the injured plaintiff apart from the general public.«89»

In Chambers-Castanes the plaintiff was struck by two men.«90» King County Police operators received 11 calls for assistance from the time of the incident at approximately 5:50 p.m. until they arrived approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes later.«91» The court concluded there was privity between the King County Department of Public Safety and Mr. and Mrs. Chambers-Castanes from the transcript of a police tape log which contained the words of dispatchers stating that help was on the way.«92» In Beal v. City of Seattle this court also found privity between the 911 emergency operator and the person calling when a 911 operator told

«85» Resp'ts' Suppl. Br. at 10.

«86» Babcock, 101 Wn. App. at 689.

«87» Id. at 689.

«88» Chambers-Castanes, 100 Wn.2d at 286 (quoting Warren v. District of Columbia, 444 A.2d 1, 10 (D.C. 1981)).

«89» Taylor, 111 Wn.2d at 166.

«90» Chambers-Castanes, 100 Wn.2d at 278.

«91» Id.

«92» Id. at 287.

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the person the police were being sent to assist her.«93»

The Court of Appeals incorrectly concluded privity was not established between Respondents and Petitioners Babcock. In both Chambers-Castanes and Beal the event setting the plaintiffs apart from the general public was a telephone conversation between a government official and a member of the public. In this case Petitioners were even more set apart from the general public than in those cases because the government official, a fire fighter, apparently communicated with them in person at their burning home. As in Chambers-Castanes and Beal, that contact set Petitioners apart from the general public.«94» In both cases privity was found where the dispatchers were fulfilling their duty to the public by answering emergency telephone calls and agreeing to dispatch police officers to the scene. In this case, as in those cases, privity was established by the nature of the contact.

Respondents incorrectly assert that an isolated comment cannot rise to the level of an assurance that would isolate the interests of Petitioners from the interests of every other member of the public. In Beal this court found privity when the contact was a single assurance from one 911 emergency telephone operator to a citizen.«95» In this case privity was established by a single statement by a fire fighter to Petitioner James Babcock, assuming such a communication occurred.«96»

2. Express Assurance to Petitioners

Petitioner James Babcock claims a "lady fire fighter" gave him express assurances when she told him the fire fighters

«93» Beal, 134 Wn.2d at 774.

«94» Petitioner James Babcock claims an otherwise unidentified female fire fighter told him the fire fighters would take care of protecting his property.

«95» Beal, 134 Wn.2d at 774 (this court concluded a special relationship existed between Ms. Beal and the City of Seattle from one telephone conversation between her and a 911 operator. The operator told her "we're going to send somebody there" and "[w]e'll get the police over there for you okay?").

«96» See id.

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would take care of protecting his property.«97» Petitioners claim this assurance caused them to discontinue their own efforts to save their property.«98» Respondents respond that a single statement by a single unidentified fire fighter does not constitute an express assurance which can bind the Fire District.«99» They contend Petitioners did not claim they requested the Fire District to rescue any particular item of their personal property and that the Fire District never promised it would do so.«100» The Court of Appeals concluded it was unreasonable for Petitioners to treat the fire fighter's statement as express assurance that the District would salvage their personal property.«101»

A governmental authority may be liable to an individual who establishes that a particular duty was owed to that individual who could justifiably rely upon assurances specifically sought and which the government expressly gave.«102» A government duty cannot arise from implied assurances.«103» "It is only where a direct inquiry is made by an individual and incorrect information is clearly set forth by the government, the government intends that it be relied upon and it is relied upon by the individual to his detriment, that the government may be bound."«104» The plaintiff must seek an express assurance and the government must unequivocally give that assurance.«105»

In Chambers-Castanes this court found express assurances were made when Mrs. Chambers-Castanes telephoned

«97» Clerk's Papers at 47-48.

«98» Pet'rs' Suppl. Br. at 14.

«99» Resp'ts' Suppl. Br. at 11.

«100» Id. at 12.

«101» Babcock, 101 Wn. App. at 689.

«102» See Meaney v. Dodd, 111 Wn.2d 174, 179-80, 759 P.2d 455 (1988).

«103» See Honcoop v. State, 111 Wn.2d 182, 192-93, 759 P.2d 1188 (1988); Taylor, 111 Wn.2d at 167.

«104» Meaney, 111 Wn.2d at 180.

«105» See id.

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911.«106» In her first call she stated, "[t]his is the fifth call. No one has responded. It's been a half-hour."«107» After she gave a more specific description of her location, the operator said, "[a]ll right, we'll get somebody up there then."«108» When Mrs. Chambers-Castanes called a second time she stated, "[w]e need some police here, there shouldn't be any trouble,"«109» to which the operator responded, "[w]e have the officer; he is on the way."«110» When she called a third time to ask whether anybody had been dispatched, the operator told her, "[y]es, they're on their way . . . they'll be there momentarily."«111» When Mrs. Chambers-Castanes told the operator she really needed some assistance, the operator stated, "[t]hey'll be there just anytime now. They're on their way."«112»

In Beal express assurances were given to Ms. Melissa Fernandez when a 911 operator told her that police would be dispatched to assist her.«113» She told the operator her estranged husband "had been harassing her and threatening her, and she had been told in order not to break the no contact order she needed 'a civil standby' to come out."«114» The operator told her "[w]e'll get the police over there for you okay?"«115»

The Court of Appeals correctly concluded the fire fighter in this case did not give express assurances to Petitioners. Unlike in Chambers-Castanes and Beal in which the citizens

«106» Chambers-Castanes, 100 Wn.2d at 287.

«107» Id. at 279. This was Mrs. Chambers-Castanes' first call to the 911 operator. Five other persons had called the operator requesting police assistance at the scene of the incident.

«108» Id.

«109» Id.

«110» Id.

«111» Id. at 280.

«112» Id.

«113» Beal, 134 Wn.2d at 785.

«114» Id. at 774.

«115» Id.

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specifically sought assurance, Petitioners in this case did not seek any assurance from the fire fighter nor do they claim to have specifically sought such assurance.«116» Unlike the detailed express assurances given by emergency telephone operators in Chambers-Castanes and Beal, the statement made by the fire fighter in this case did not indicate she or the other fire fighters would act in a specific manner.«117» No express assurances were given, even assuming the statement was made as claimed by Petitioners.

3. Justifiable Reliance By Petitioners

Petitioners Babcock contend it was entirely reasonable for them to believe that some of their property could be saved if reasonable efforts had been made.«118» They argue that no determination on reliance should be made without a trial.«119»

Respondents claim that under the circumstances Petitioners could not justifiably rely on the statement of the unidentified fire fighter as a guaranty that the fire fighters would salvage their property regardless of fire and wind.«120» Respondents assert Petitioners did not change their position for the worse as required under Washington law.«121»

On April 13, 2001 a brief amici curiae was filed by the Washington State Association of Fire Chiefs and the Washington Fire Commissioners Association. Amici substantially "adopt[ed] the analysis and decision of the Court of Appeals in Babcock, and the analysis and argument of the District contained in the Respondent's [sic] Brief, Respondent's [sic] Answer to Petition Requesting Discretionary Review and

«116» Id.

«117» Beal, 134 Wn.2d at 787 ("[D]uty is defined at least in part by the nature of the assurances given.").

«118» Pet'rs' Suppl. Br. at 15.

«119» Id. at 16. This court may determine the issue of justifiable reliance as a matter of fact without a trial. See Beal, 134 Wn.2d 769.

«120» Answer to Pet. Requesting Discretionary Review at 6.

«121» Resp'ts' Suppl. Br. at 14.

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the Respondent's [sic] Supplemental Brief."«122» They therefore limited their argument to the public duty doctrine, privity and public policy, arguing essentially that:

The duty to fight fires is a duty to the community, and not a duty to specific persons or property. Therefore, the non-liability rule of the public duty doctrine applies to general statements of reassurance made by fire fighters [including fire chiefs, deputy or assistant fire chiefs, fire marshals, battalion chiefs and other employees of fire protection districts . . . with the authority to extinguish fires and protect human life and property] during a fire. Even if there is a potential for liability, such general statements of reassurance do not establish a special relationship exception to the public duty doctrine. Statements of reassurance are made to further the general duty to fight fires and protect lives, and thus, do not constitute "privity" between the governmental entity and the injured plaintiff that sets the later [sic] apart from the general public. This conclusion is consistent with the law in Washington and other jurisdictions. Finally, sound public policy precludes judicial processes from governing a fire scene.«123»

The Court of Appeals concluded Petitioners neither factually nor legally relied upon the fire fighter's alleged assurance.«124» The court concluded it was unreasonable for them to rely on the statement as a guaranty that their property would be salvaged regardless of wind and fire.«125» The court indicated that Petitioner Babcock obviously did not rely upon any statement made by the fire fighter because he ignored her comment and order and moved his truck anyway.«126» Whether a party justifiably relies upon information is a question of fact generally not amenable to summary judgment.«127» The court may look to the facts to

«122» Br. of Amici Curiae at 3 n.5.

«123» Id. at 2-3.

«124» Babcock, 101 Wn. App. at 692.

«125» Id. at 690.

«126» Id.

«127» Beal, 134 Wn.2d at 786. See also Chambers-Castanes, 100 Wn.2d at 287 in which the court stated, "Reliance also was present, at least for purposes of a CR

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determine whether the plaintiffs could rely on the assurance.«128» For the government to be bound the plaintiffs must rely upon the assurance to their detriment.«129»

In Beal this court concluded Ms. Fernandez justifiably relied upon the assurance that police protection would be forthcoming because she waited in front of her apartment after being told by the 911 operator that the police were being sent.«130» In this case, viewing the facts most favorably to Petitioners, we conclude they were not justified in relying on the fire fighter's statement to mean their property would be saved.«131» Assuming the garage did not catch fire until 30 minutes after Petitioners arrived home, as claimed by Petitioners, the fire nevertheless was so intense that plastic lenses were melted, the paint was blistered on a fire engine, and the grill of Petitioners' truck had considerable damage from the heat even though it was parked approximately 20 feet from the burning home.«132» Petitioners acknowledged the day was hot, dry and windy and that fires by their nature are unpredictable.«133»

The Court of Appeals correctly concluded Petitioner James Babcock's actions demonstrated he did not rely upon the fire fighter's statement. Unlike Ms. Fernandez in Beal, whose actions showed she relied on the 911 operator's statement, Petitioner ignored what he claimed to be an assurance by the fire fighter and moved his truck. He did not discontinue his efforts to salvage his property because of the statement made by the fire fighter. Petitioners did not

12(b)(6) motion, in that reliance was alleged in appellants' amended complaint. Although appellants may have difficulty proving their claims and the damages caused by their alleged reliance, we find the allegations alone are sufficient to withstand a CR 12(b)(6) motion."

«128» Meaney, 111 Wn.2d at 180.

«129» Id.

«130» Beal, 134 Wn.2d at 786.

«131» See Meaney, 111 Wn.2d at 180 (the court may look to the facts of a case to determine whether a plaintiff can rely on an assurance).

«132» See Clerk's Papers at 48.

«133» See Pet'rs' Suppl. Br. at 14.

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rely to their detriment because there were no reasonably safe alternatives. The only alternative would have been for the fire fighter to allow Petitioners to risk their lives to salvage or save their property. Petitioners did not justifiably rely upon the fire fighter's statement.

Petitioners have not established their right to bring this negligence action against Respondents because Petitioners have not established an express assurance by Respondents which Petitioners justifiably relied upon to their detriment.

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Under the "public duty doctrine," to recover from a municipal corporation in tort a plaintiff must show the duty breached was owed to an individual and was not a general obligation owed to the public. There are four exceptions to the public duty doctrine in which the government agency acquires a special duty of care owed to a particular plaintiff or class of plaintiffs. They are (1) legislative intent; (2) failure to enforce; (3) the rescue doctrine; and (4) a special relationship. Only the special relationship exception is at issue in this case which requires the plaintiff to demonstrate privity and express assurances upon which plaintiff justifiably relied.

Petitioners Babcock did establish privity with Respondents which set them apart from the general public by demonstrating that a fire fighter communicated with them in person at their burning home. However, they did not establish that the unidentified fire fighter gave them express assurance that she would save their property. Petitioners did not claim they specifically sought such assurance. They were not justified in relying upon the fire fighter's statement to mean their property would be salvaged or saved despite the intense fire at their home.

The Court of Appeals was correct in affirming the order of the Mason County Superior Court granting summary judgment in favor of Respondents Mason County Fire District

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Number 6 and its Commissioners.

We affirm the Court of Appeals.

Johnson, Bridge, and Owens, JJ., concur.

Chambers, J. (concurring) - However imperfect our system of justice may be, there are certain goals of perfection for which we must strive. Equal justice for all is one of those elusive but desirable goals. We know that all people are not necessarily created equal; some are rich and some are poor, and some are given greater opportunities to develop their natural gifts and talents. The institution of our courts must be the great leveler - where justice is blind and a pauper and a king are judged by the same standard. In our courts of law every party must be treated equally. It is therefore contrary to the general principles of law that one party be granted a special set of rules not afforded to others. The public duty doctrine is one of those special privileges afforded some parties, which is antithetical to the foundations of our law.

Both the majority and the dissent analyze this case by applying the public duty doctrine and focusing on the exact words used by a fire fighter to determine duty. This approach is too narrow.

The public duty doctrine is unnecessary. The application of general tort principles to determine duty will usually direct us to the same result. The public duty doctrine injects confusion into the law as it implies that not all parties are to be treated equally. A "special relationship" is the principal exception to the public duty doctrine. The focus of this exception on express assurances and reliance upon those assurances diverts attention from the appropriate policy considerations and from foreseeability to determine if a duty should be owed.

In 1961 our Legislature abandoned sovereign immunity by adopting RCW 4.92.090, which as amended provides:

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The state of Washington, whether acting in its governmental or proprietary capacity, shall be liable for damages arising out of its tortious conduct to the same extent as if it were a private person or corporation.

Courts, not the Legislature, legislated the public duty doctrine. The doctrine has been accused of conflicting with the clear intent of the Legislature to abolish sovereign immunity.«134» In fact, this Court did not quickly embrace the public duty doctrine. When this Court first mentioned the public duty doctrine 14 years after the repeal of sovereign immunity, we simply said we have no particular quarrel at this time with the general premise on which public duty doctrine cases rely.«135»

The public duty doctrine has been described as the "duty to no one" doctrine. The premise of the doctrine is that the government has a duty to the public in general and that no duty of care is owed to individuals.«136» The development and growth of the doctrine in this Court is instructive. Like the evolution of many legal rules, the direction of its growth has often been driven by the facts before the court. Initially the public duty doctrine was simply another way of saying the state did not have a duty to everyone.«137» There are four exceptions to the public duty doctrine: clear legislative

«134» "By rejecting this approach, the majority's analysis flies in the face of the Legislature's express direction that governmental entities shall be liable in tort 'to the same extent as if they were a private person or corporation' (RCW 4.96.010). This seems to me a rather flagrant exercise of judicial lawmaking in an area where the Legislature has already spoken." Chambers-Castanes v. King County, 100 Wn.2d 275, 291, 669 P.2d 451 (1983) (Utter, J., concurring in the result).

«135» "We have no particular quarrel at this time with the general premise on which the cases relied upon by the City stand, i.e., negligent performance of a governmental or discretionary police power duty enacted for the benefit of the public at large imposes no liability on the part of a municipality running to individual members of the public." Campbell v. City of Bellevue, 85 Wn.2d 1, 9-10, 530 P.2d 234 (1975).

«136» "The traditional rule is that municipal ordinances impose a duty upon municipal officials which is owed to the public as a whole, so that a duty enforceable in tort is not owed to any particular individual." Halvorson v. Dahl, 89 Wn.2d 673, 676, 574 P.2d 1190 (1978).

«137» Campbell, 85 Wn.2d at 9-10.

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intent,«138» failure to enforce,«139» rescue doctrine,«140» and special relationship.«141» Over the years, this Court has focused more and more on the special relationship exception.«142» In early building code and inspection cases, this Court granted the exception to classes of people rather than to individuals.«143»

This Court's focus on the individual as opposed to the class of persons intended to be protected first occurred in a rescue doctrine case. In Chambers-Castanes v. King County, 100 Wn.2d 275, 669 P.2d 451 (1983), this Court, citing cases from other jurisdictions, determined that for a victim to sue a police department for the failure to rescue, there must be (1) some form of privity between the police department and the victim that sets the victim apart from the general public, and (2) explicit assurances of protection that give rise to reliance on the part of the victim. The Chambers-Castanes court went on specifically to say that the assurances need not be explicit as some relationships carry the implicit character of assurance.«144»

«138» Halvorson, 89 Wn.2d at 676-77 (occurring when the terms of a legislative enactment evidence an intent to identify and protect a particular and circumscribed class of persons).

«139» Campbell, 85 Wn.2d at 12-13 (holding governmental agents responsible for enforcing statutory requirements when they possess actual knowledge of a statutory violation, fail to take corrective action despite a statutory duty to do so, and the plaintiff is within the class the statute intended to protect).

«140» Brown v. MacPherson's, Inc., 86 Wn.2d 293, 299, 545 P.2d 13 (1975) (imposing liability when governmental agents fail to exercise reasonable care after assuming a duty to warn or come to the aid of a particular plaintiff).

«141» Chambers-Castanes, 100 Wn.2d at 285 n.3.

«142» "The majority simply goes too far in permitting the special relationship exception to swallow up the rule of the public duty doctrine. If we wish to eliminate the public duty doctrine in its entirety, we should say so." Beal v. City of Seattle, 134 Wn.2d 769, 794, 954 P.2d 237 (1998) (Talmadge, J., dissenting).

«143» J & B Dev. Co. v. King County, 100 Wn.2d 299, 307, 669 P.2d 468 (1983) ("the permit and inspection requirements do not create a duty of care applicable merely to the public in general. Rather, they apply to a limited class of citizens, the builders."); Halvorson, 89 Wn.2d at 676 ("Liability can be founded upon a municipal code if that code by its terms evidences a clear intent to identify and protect a particular and circumscribed class of persons."); Campbell, 85 Wn.2d at 13 (granting an exception to the class that the Bellevue City Code was designed to protect).

«144» Chambers-Castanes, 100 Wn.2d at 286.

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In 1988, this Court severely limited the special relationship exception to the public duty doctrine in deciding three cases for loss of profits or damages involving permits and inspections.«145» Under this new mutation of the public duty doctrine, the government is immune unless the plaintiff can show direct contact with the governmental entity and express assurances from the governmental agency upon which the plaintiff justifiably relies. Former claimants who had been successful before this Court, i.e., Mason, Brown, Campbell, J & B Development, and Halvorson, would probably not have been successful under this standard. The express assurance and reliance requirements may have swallowed the "clear legislative intent," "failure to enforce," and "rescue" exceptions to the public duty doctrine.

As a matter of policy, contact with a government agency and reliance upon the government's assurances may be desirable in governmental permit inspection cases. Reliance should be an element of proof to establish loss of profits or monetary damages. Statements by dispatchers and rescuers may be relevant to determine when a rescue has commenced, thereby triggering the duty of the rescuer to exercise ordinary care. However, the application of a mechanical rule will result in harsh and unintended results. Innocent third parties and unconscious victims who cannot show reliance upon assurances will be denied redress contrary to the Legislature's intention. The elements of the special relationship rule-direct contact, express assurances, and justifiable reliance-are intrinsically related to a business type of plaintiff such as builders and developers involved in permit applications. Unrelated plaintiffs will not be able to meet the elements because they lack a business relationship with the government. The result is unfortunate because these elements were developed first to determine when police have commenced a rescue, Chambers-Castanes, 100 Wn.2d 275, and then applied primarily to prevent economically injured plaintiffs

«145» Honcoop v. State, 111 Wn.2d 182, 759 P.2d 1188 (1988); Meaney v. Dodd, 111 Wn.2d 174, 759 P.2d 455 (1988); Taylor v. Stevens County, 111 Wn.2d 159, 759 P.2d 447 (1988).

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from holding governmental entities liable in tort as insurers against plaintiff's noncompliance with codes. Taylor v. Stevens County, 111 Wn.2d 159, 168-70, 759 P.2d 447 (1988).

Many states have either rejected or abandoned the public duty doctrine.«146» In Washington, Justice Utter was a relentless critic of the public duty doctrine.«147» Many commentators have criticized the public duty doctrine, which one commentator suggested should "follow the doctrine of sovereign immunity into the 'dustheap of history.'" Shelly K. Speir, Comment, The Public Duty Doctrine and Municipal Liability for Negligent Administration of Zoning Codes, 20 Seattle U. L. Rev. 803, 803 (1997) (quoting John Cameron McMillan, Jr., Note, Government Liability and the Public

«146» See, e.g., Adams v. State, 555 P.2d 235, 241 (Alaska 1976) (describing the "duty to all, duty to no-one" doctrine as a form of sovereign immunity); Ryan v. State, 134 Ariz. 308, 656 P.2d 597, 599 (1982) (electing under most circumstances to treat the state like a private litigant because "the parameters of duty owed by the state will ordinarily be coextensive with those owed by others" and calling the distinction between general and specific duty a "speculative exercise"); Martinez v. City of Lakewood, 655 P.2d 1388, 1390 (Colo. Ct. App. 1982) (holding that "[t]he concept of a public duty cannot stand either with the enactment of the statute abrogating sovereign immunity, nor in instances where there is a common law duty of a public entity to the plaintiff"); Commercial Carrier Corp. v. Indian River County, 371 So. 2d 1010, 1015 (Fla. 1979) (characterizing the public duty doctrine as "a function of municipal sovereign immunity and not a traditional negligence concept which has meaning apart from the governmental setting"); Wilson v. Nepstad, 282 N.W.2d 664, 671 (Iowa 1979) (holding that "the abrogation of governmental immunity means the same principles of liability apply to officers and employees of municipalities as to any other tort defendants"); Stewart v. Schmieder, 386 So. 2d 1351, 1358 (La. 1980) (holding that "the mere fact that a duty is of a public nature, and benefits the general public, does not require a conclusion that the city cannot be found liable for the breach of that duty"); Schear v. Bd. of County Comm'rs, 101 N.M. 671, 687 P.2d 728, 730 (1984) (holding that claims under the Tort Claims Act would be "based upon the traditional tort concepts of duty and the reasonably prudent person's standard of care in the performance of that duty"); Brennen v. City of Eugene, 285 Or. 401, 591 P.2d 719, 725 (1979) (using traditional tort principles to analyze a negligence complaint against the city because "any distinction between 'public' and 'private' duty is precluded by statute in this state"); Coffey v. City of Milwaukee, 74 Wis. 2d 526, 247 N.W.2d 132, 139 (1976) (holding that "[a]ny duty owed to the public generally is a duty owed to individual members of the public" and being guided by public policy considerations when considering whether liability should be imposed for torts).

«147» See Chambers-Castanes, 100 Wn.2d at 290; J & B Dev. Co., 100 Wn.2d at 308; Taylor, 111 Wn.2d at 172; Taggart v. State, 118 Wn.2d 195, 229, 822 P.2d 243 (1992).

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Duty Doctrine, 32 Vill. L. Rev. 505, 529 (1987)).

I would, without reversing any of our prior decisions, simply decide this and all future government liability cases based upon traditional tort law analysis.«148» Traditional tort liability analysis focuses on policy, foreseeability of injury, and proximate cause. The advantages of this approach are several. Traditionally tort duty analysis focuses consideration on the policy of whether the government should owe a duty in a given situation. When a government entity performs a function that is not paralleled in the private sector, such as the issuance of permits and inspection of construction, this Court should analyze the policy concerns unique to those public functions. Traditional tort duty analysis focuses on the class of persons intended to be protected as opposed to the relationship between the plaintiff and government entity. Traditional tort analysis applies the same standard of care to all parties, does not perpetuate the state's immunity, does not conflict with the legislative statutes abrogating governmental immunity and furthers our goal of providing equal justice to all parties.

Applying traditional tort law analysis to the instant case leads me to the same result as the majority. Under such analysis, there is no duty to rescue the property of another. However, once a rescue is undertaken, the rescuer must exercise ordinary care. The duty of ordinary care is implicit in the act and is not related to any express statements made by the fire fighters nor is it related to reliance. The Babcocks's claim, in essence, is not that Mason County Fire District No. 6 breached the standard of care in fighting the fire, but that it failed to fight the fire. Specifically the Babcocks argue that for 30 minutes after the arrival of the fire fighters, not one drop of water was placed on the garage to stop the fire from spreading.

The Babcocks's home is in a rural area, which is lightly wooded. Harold Silver is Chief of the Mason County Fire District No. 6, which is a volunteer fire department. Upon

«148» Because of the discretionary and policy making functions of government, I would retain our absolute and qualified immunity jurisprudence.

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arriving at the scene, Chief Silver determined that the Babcocks's mobile home was burning very hotly and had "already burned through the roof." Clerk's Papers (CP) at 136. The neighbors reported that no one was at home, but that the Babcocks's dog was inside. Silver prevented them from entering to save the dog because it was too dangerous. The garage, which was approximately 10 feet from the home, contained drums (like oil drums), oxyacetylene welding equipment, and other containers holding unknown substances, as well as a solvent tank/parts washer device. Chief Silver concluded that the activities of the fire fighters would be directed toward containing the spread of the fire to the adjacent building, adjacent residences, and woodlands. Applying traditional tort law duty analysis, one would not require a would-be rescuer to risk his or her life to fight a fire, particularly an excessively hot or potentially explosive fire. No public policy is served by requiring the Mason County Fire District No. 6 to do so.

Next, Babcock argues that he was ordered by fire-fighting personnel not to remove personal property from the area around the fire and that the fire fighters would "take care of protecting our property." CP at 48. Fire districts such as Mason County Fire District No. 6 are authorized, "for the provision of fire prevention services, fire suppression services, emergency medical services, and for the protection of life and property in areas outside of cities and towns." RCW 52.02.020. I agree with the Court of Appeals that the affidavits demonstrate that the fire fighters acted consistent with District No. 6's policy by preventing James Babcock, his wife, and neighbors from entering a potentially explosive environment. The garage contained known flammable and explosive substances. The fire fighters acted to protect the lives of both the bystanders and themselves.

CONCLUSION

In formulating the public duty doctrine, the courts have conflicted with the clear intent of our Legislature to abolish

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sovereign immunity. The doctrine is unnecessary, and the narrow focus of the special relationship exception, relying as it does on express assurances, leads to tortured analysis that usually arrives at the same result we could achieve by the straightforward application of general tort principles to determine duty. One of the most fundamental precepts of our law is equal justice for all. By implying that not all parties are to be treated equally, the public duty doctrine injects confusion into the law and shakes the foundations of our legal system. Applying traditional tort law analysis to this case leads me to the same result as the majority.

Ireland, J., concurs with Chambers, J.

Madsen, J. (dissenting) - The majority fails to follow precedent when it concludes as a matter of law that petitioners did not justifiably rely on an assurance by a fire fighter that their property would be protected. This case is legally indistinguishable from Beal v. City of Seattle, 134 Wn.2d 769, 954 P.2d 237 (1998), where this court held that there were material questions of fact remaining as to whether the special relationship exception to the public duty doctrine was satisfied. In concluding to the contrary, the majority has failed to follow the principle that in reviewing a grant of summary judgment, the facts and all reasonable inferences from the facts are considered in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, here the Babcocks. The Court of Appeals should be reversed. Accordingly, I dissent.

[2, 3, 5] Under the public duty doctrine, recovery in tort is possible in this case only if the Babcocks show that a duty was owed to them and not to the public in general. Beal, 134 Wn.2d at 784; Taylor v. Stevens County, 111 Wn.2d 159, 163, 759 P.2d 447 (1988); Chambers-Castanes v. King County, 100 Wn.2d 275, 284, 669 P.2d 451 (1983). The special relationship exception to the public duty doctrine provides that liability may exist where "(1) there is direct contact or privity between the public official and the injured

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plaintiff which sets the latter apart from the general public, and (2) there are express assurances given by a public official, which (3) gives [sic] rise to justifiable reliance on the part of the plaintiff." Taylor, 111 Wn.2d at 166. The majority finds that the first part of this three-part test is satisfied, but finds the second two parts lacking.

Turning first to the question whether the Babcocks have presented evidence of an assurance by a government official sufficient to overcome summary judgment, it is apparent that they have. Mr. Babcock averred that "shortly after [the Babcocks first arrived home, I attempted to remove an item of personal property and I was told by a lady fire fighter that I was not to attempt removal of any property. I was told that we were to leave matters in the hands of the fire fighters and they would `take care of protecting our property.' " Clerk's Papers (CP) at 47-48 (Aff. of James Babcock). In a supplemental affidavit, Mr: Babcock gave a physical description of the fire fighter, and explained that the District 6 people were the first to arrive and she was among that group. He repeated in his supplemental affidavit that he had just picked up an item of property when he spoke to her, and was "just about to move my tent trailer." CP at 17 (Suppl. Aff. of James Babcock). He stated that "when I was told that my property would be protected, I thought that meant my tent trailer, as it was easily accessible, and all of my property which could be saved without undue risk to the firemen." Id. at 18.

The evidence and reasonable inferences from the evidence must be viewed in the light most favorable to the Babcocks. See Beal, 134 Wn.2d at 786. Mr. Babcocks affidavits, construed most favorably to the Babcocks, sufficiently establish an express assurance by a public official that he should not try to rescue his property which could be safely rescued because the fire fighters would do so. Not only do the express words constitute an assurance, but they do so even more in the context of the fire fighter ordering Mr. Babcock to cease trying to save his property and the fire fighters "would take care" of his property. CP at 48.

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The majority reasons, though, that the plaintiff must specifically seek assurance in order for the special relationship exception to the public duty doctrine to apply. The majority reads more into the cases than is there. In Meaney v. Dodd, 111 Wn.2d 174, 179-80, 759 P.2d 455 (1988), the special relationship exception was claimed where government officials were allegedly negligent in failing to gave information relating to compliance with the building code. The court overruled J & B Development Co. v. King County, 100 Wn.2d 299, 669 P.2d 468 (1983) and held that in order to maintain an action based upon negligent issuance of a building permit, a direct inquiry must have been made by the plaintiff and incorrect information clearly set forth by the government. Meaney, 111 Wn.2d at 179-80. In that context, "[t]he burden of compliance with codes, regulations and ordinances remains the responsibility of the applicant. A builder can rely on the county division of land development for accurate information and building permits binding upon the governmental authority if the individual can show that there was a particular duty owed to him and that he could justifiably, rely on assurances which he specifically sought and which the government expressly gave." Meaney, 111 Wn.2d at 179; see Taylor, 111 Wn.2d 159.

Here, however, the situation is quite different. There is no comparable "burden of compliance" on plaintiffs. The question here is simply whether the government official made an express assurance that the Babcocks could justifiably rely on. Mr. Babcock's affidavits raise a material question of fact as to whether such an assurance was given. Next, the Babcocks have also presented sufficient evidence that they justifiably relied on the assurance given. Notably, "whether a party justifiably relies on information is a fact question generally not amenable to summary judgment." Beal, 134 Wn.2d at 786-87; see, e.g., Swanson v. Liquid Air Corp., 118 Wn.2d 512, 518, 826 P.2d 664 (1992). The evidence and reasonable inferences must be viewed in favor of the Babcocks. Mr. Babcock stated that he and his wife returned home about 5:15 to 5:20 P.M., and no one was

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then fighting the fire. Mr. Babcock said that at that time the garage (or shop) was not on fire' and there was no smoke coming from it, that at no time did any fire fighter enter the garage to fight fire, that the garage did not catch fire until "approximately thirty minutes after" the Babcocks arrived, and that "there was no water placed on the garage to stop the fire from spreading to it." CP at 47 (Aff. of James Babcock). Mr. Babcock stated he had a tent trailer "parked about l5 feet from my home. It is a lightweight affair which is easily moved by one person." Id. After Mr. Babcock was told the fire fighters would take care of his property, he refrained from trying to save any of it. He specifically stated that "my tent trailer caught fire 20 minutes after our arrival from Shelton and it could have been moved by a single person. . . . I would have moved it myself had I not been given the order that I should not touch anything. A fireman stood next to it, and for a long while sat on the tongue of it, until just before it caught fire," Id. at 48. Mr. Babcock then said that "[n]otwithstanding that order, and after my tent trailer caught fire; L was certain I would also lose my 1993 Dodge truck which was parked about 20 feet from my house. . . . I moved it without their permission. Even so, considerable heat damage had occurred to the grill and it would have certainly been lost had I not moved it." Id. Mr. Babcock added that he and others at the scene "could have saved most, if not all, of the property in the garage. There were three doors to this garage and L had at least four people, in addition to my wife and myself, to assist in bringing property out." Id. Mr. Babcock stated "I relied on the statement of the firemen that the fire fighters would protect my property and they did not do that" Id. at 49.

These statements sufficiently establish a material question of fact as to whether the Babcocks justifiably relied on the assurance they were given. Mr. Babcock's affidavit plainly shows that he did rely on the assurance to his detriment because the tent trailer and any property in the garage that could have been saved were lost. His statements

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also belie the majority's conclusion that he did not rely on the assurance because he "ignored" the fire fighter's statement and went ahead and moved his truck. Majority at 792. He clearly explains that he took matters into his own hands and saved the truck from destruction only after he saw that nothing was being done despite the assurance given. Moreover, contrary to the majority's conclusion, the facts stated in the affidavit, construed in his favor, show that regardless of the fact it was hot, dry and windy, there was time to safely save some of the property-afire fighter sat on the tongue of the tent trailer until shortly before it caught fire, Mr. Babcock was able to drive the truck to safety even after delaying some time in response to orders not to try to rescue his property, the garage did not catch fire until 30 minutes after he arrived home, and it had multiple doors through which property could be saved. This case is like Beal where this court held that there were material questions of fact as to justifiable reliance on an assurance given by a governmental official. Crucial to that decision, as should be true here, the court did not attempt to decide questions of fact on review of summary judgment, but instead applied the elementary rule that facts and the reasonable inferences from the facts are construed in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. This the majority has failed to do.

I would reverse the Court of Appeals and remand this matter for further proceedings.

ALEXANDER, C.J., and SANDERS, J., concur with MADSEN, J.

SANDERS, J. (concurring in dissent) - I concur in Justice Madsen's dissent; however, I also concur with Justice Chambers' view that the public duty doctrine should be completely discarded.

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