Stamford COVID-19 Volunteer Policies & Waiver

Waivers and Safety Requirements for Stamford Together Volunteers

We appreciate your support for our community during the City of Stamford's COVID-19 response. The health and safety of our volunteers and the people we serve is our top priority.

All directives and recommendations pertaining to COVID-19 issued by the City of Stamford and/or the State of Connecticut must be followed such as allowing for 6 feet of distance between people. Stamford Together volunteers serve in a critical capacity by providing food and other essential services to residents in need. According to Executive Order 7H, food service and other immediate needs are deemed essential business and are therefore exempt from the order.

The health and safety of volunteers remains a top priority. The City of Stamford is requiring that all volunteers abide by the following safety requirements on all projects:

If any of the following conditions apply to you, stay home and DO NOT SIGN UP to volunteer:

• You are sick
• You are over 50 years old OR have chronic health conditions, including chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, cancer or a weakened immune system

If you must stay home for the safety of our community, there are phone volunteer opportunities available. Please refer to Stamford Together for more information.

While volunteering on a project during the COVID-19 outbreak we require the following:

• Wash your hands often, including at the start and end of your volunteer opportunity. Use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when sneezing or coughing. Do not use your hands.
• Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Do not shake hands.
• Monitor your health more closely than usual for cold or flu symptoms.
• Do not gather in large groups.
• Keep at least six feet between you and others.

Letter from City of Stamford Re: Protection, 3.30.2020
View or download a PDF of this communication

March 30, 2020

To All Volunteers Assisting the City of Stamford in its COVID-19 Response Efforts:

Thank you for volunteering to help the City of Stamford fight the COVID-19 pandemic.  Your assistance is greatly appreciated.  Please know that pursuant to state law, you have a right to be compensated for death, disability or injury resulting from your volunteer activities with the City through the state's workers' compensation system, as if you were an employee of the City.

Please also know that if, in the course of your volunteer activities for the City, you cause injury to person or property which results in a claim being made against you by the injured party, and your activity which resulted in such injury was not outside the scope of activities that you were directed to perform as a volunteer, and your activity was not willful or wanton, the City will defend the claim on your behalf and hold you harmless from legal liability arising from such claim.  If, however, your activity which resulted in such injury was outside the scope of
activities that you were directed to perform as a volunteer, or your activity was willful or wanton, then, by virtue of the hold harmless agreement that you are signing, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless the City from all legal liability resulting from the claim.  

The City thanks you for volunteering in this critical time.

Michael Toma
Assistant Corporation Counsel

Volunteer Hold Harmless Agreement and Waiver
Volunteer to Assist in City of Stamford’s/Stamford Public Schools’ COVID-19  Response
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1. I am volunteering to assist in the City of Stamford’s and/or Stamford Public Schools’ (hereinafter collectively “City of Stamford”) COVID-19 response efforts.  Regardless of the task or tasks I perform to assist the City of Stamford respond to the COVID-19 emergency, my assistance will be covered by this hold harmless agreement and waiver.  This hold harmless agreement and waiver will also cover any of my volunteer activities whether or not I am sworn in as a civil preparedness volunteer pursuant to applicable state statutes and/or Mayoral orders.
    
2. In any volunteer activity I undertake, I will follow all orders or instructions issued to me by the City of Stamford or any employee of the City of Stamford. I understand, however, that the City's personnel cannot continuously monitor and supervise my activities, and I release the City of Stamford, its officers, agents or employees from any claims based on the level of supervision provided.
    
3. I will indemnify and hold harmless the City of Stamford, its officers, agents and employees, from any and all claims for any injury, disease, damages or liability of any nature arising from or related to my participation in activities volunteering as set forth herein.
    
4. I waive any and all claims I might have or may have in the future, against the City of Stamford, its officers, agents or employees, which do or might arise from my participation in activities volunteering as set forth herein.
    
5. I fully understand, appreciate and accept the risks involved in volunteering as set forth above, and herby release the City, its officers, agents and employees, of any claim of inadequate warnings, inadequate precautions or unsafe conditions at the location where I will be volunteering.
    
6. Volunteers must carry personal medical insurance for potential injuries or illnesses.
    
7. The undersigned agrees to use reasonable due care at all times while engaged in volunteer activities.
    
8. I understand that, as a volunteer, I am not permitted to represent or speak for the City of Stamford to the public, media, social media or other outlets.

Motor Vehicle Safety and Insurance

I am aware that if I provide a vehicle for transportation to, at, or related to my involvement in the activity, or if I am a passenger in such a vehicle, the City of Stamford is not responsible for any damage caused by, arising from or related to my use of such transportation.

Further, I have adequate applicable automobile insurance necessary to provide for and pay any costs that may directly or indirectly result from my involvement in the activity, or otherwise understand that I am solely responsible for any costs that may directly or indirectly result from my participation in the activity.

I affirm that I currently hold a valid driver’s license and am legally permitted to drive a vehicle in the State of Connecticut.

Check the box below to agree:

Signature

By signing below, you certify that you have read and agree or accept all the requirements and agreements stated above on this form.