The following words, terms, and phrases when used in this Chapter shall have the meaning ascribed to them in this Section except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
DIRECTOR: The Emergency Management Director appointed by the City Council.
DISASTER: A situation that creates an actual or imminent serious threat to the health and safety of any person, or a situation which has resulted in or is likely to result in catastrophic loss to property or the environment, and for which traditional sources of relief and assistance within the affected area are unable to repair or prevent the injury or loss.
EMERGENCY: An unforeseen combination of circumstances that calls for immediate action to prevent a disaster from developing or occurring.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: The preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than functions for which military forces are primarily responsible, to prevent, minimize and repair injury and damage resulting from disasters caused by fire, flood, tornado and other acts of nature, or from sabotage, hostile action, or from industrial hazardous material mishaps. These functions include, without limitation, firefighting services, police services, emergency medical services, engineering warning services, communications, radiological, chemical, evacuation, congregate care, emergency transportation, existing or properly assigned functions of plant protection, temporary restoration of public utility services and other functions related to civil protection, together with all other activities necessary or incidental to preparing for and carrying out of the foregoing functions. “Emergency management” includes those activities sometimes referred to as “civil defense” functions.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FORCES: The total personnel resources engaged in City level emergency management functions in act hereunder. This includes personnel from City departments, authorized volunteers, and private organizations and agencies.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION: The staff responsible for coordinating City level planning and preparation for disaster response. This organization provides City liaison and coordination with federal, state and local jurisdictions relative to disaster preparedness activities and assures implementation of federal and state program requirements.