Each forest preserve district shall indemnify and protect its commissioners and employees against civil rights damage claims and suits, constitutional rights damage claims and suits, death and bodily injury damage claims and suits and property damage claims and suits, including the cost of defense thereof, when damages are sought for negligent or wrongful acts alleged to have been committed within the scope of employment, or under the direction of the board of commissioners. Such indemnification and protection shall extend to persons who are commissioners or employees of a forest preserve district at the time of the incident from which a claim arises.