Opinion ID: 2033248
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Heading: Immunity under Iowa Code section 670.4(11), the emergency response exemption to municipal liability.

Text: Iowa Code chapter 670 establishes the parameters of a municipality's liability for the negligent acts or omissions of its officers and employees. Keystone Elec. Mfg. v. City of Des Moines, 586 N.W.2d 340, 345-46 (Iowa 1998). Pursuant to chapter 670, every city is subject to liability for the torts of its officers and employees unless such torts fall within one of the exemptions listed in section 670.4. Baker v. City of Ottumwa, 560 N.W.2d 578, 582 (Iowa 1997). The present case involves the emergency response exemption found in Iowa Code section 670.4(11), which provides immunity to a municipality for [a] claim based upon or arising out of an act or omission in connection with an emergency response including but not limited to acts or omissions in connection with emergency response communications services. In Kulish, 566 N.W.2d at 890, we concluded that the emergency response provision is reasonably related to a legitimate government interest and that the immunity provision therefore does not violate the equal protection clauses of either our federal or state constitutions. See U.S. Const. amend. XIV; Iowa Const. art. I, § 6. In doing so, we articulated the justification for the rule as follows: A local government has a strong interest in providing rescue services for citizens involved in accidents and whoday or nightneed immediate response. The statutory exemption from tort liability allows municipal providers of emergency care to render necessary medical aid in dire situations free from distractions or concerns over potential lawsuits. Kolish, 566 N.W.2d at 890.