For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the singular number include the plural, and words used in the plural include the singular. The word “shall” is always mandatory and not merely discretionary.
BOMB THREAT. The verbal or written threat of a bomb or other explosive device which, if discharged as threatened, would violate a federal, state or local law.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE. The providing, sending and/or utilizing public service, police, firefighting, ambulance or inhalator services by the township to protect the health, safety or welfare of persons or property located in the township, including, but not limited to, the release of dangerous or hazardous substances or materials, utility line failure, false alarm, illegal fire, bomb threat, threat of harm to oneself or others, structure demolition, extrication, standby suppression, medical assistance and similar services.
EXPENSES OF AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE. The reasonable costs incurred by the township in making an emergency response. The reasonable costs shall include the salary or wages, including overtime pay, of Police Department, Fire Department and emergency medical service personnel for time spent responding to, managing, correcting, treating and clean-up of an emergency response and all persons or property affected thereby. The costs shall also include the cost of equipment and supplies lost or expended by the Police Department or Fire Department in responding to the emergency.
EXTRICATION. The response to, and removal of, individuals from vehicles and/or structures requiring the assistance of emergency response personnel and/or equipment.
FALSE ALARM. Any device designed to request or summon emergency assistance, which device is activated intentionally or otherwise, in the absence of an actual need for emergency assistance. The determination that there was no actual need for emergency assistance shall be made by the most senior person responding to a FALSE ALARM. A FALSE ALARM shall not be deemed to have occurred if caused by an act of God or originated from a motor vehicle alarm system.
ILLEGAL FIRE. A fire set or determined to have been set in violation of a federal, state or local law and shall include an arson fire and a fire set in violation of a “no burning” ban or order, but does not include a fire caused by an act of God.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. Providing medical assistance, equipment and personal to the elderly, the infirm, the handicapped or any individual requiring medical assistance, transportation or support.
RELEASE OF DANGEROUS OR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE OR MATERIAL. The release, spillage or leakage from its container of any material or substance that has been identified by the township, state or federal laws or regulations to be dangerous or hazardous, including, but not limited to, chemicals and gases, poisons, etiologic (biologic) agents, flammables and corrosives, or obnoxious by reason of odor, when the party that caused or controlled the release, spillage or leakage fails to immediately remove the dangerous or hazardous substance or material and fully restore the area of the release, spillage or leakage to its condition before the release, spillage or leakage.
STANDBY SUPPRESSION. The response to circumstances involving or expected to involve fire suppression, whether fire suppression activity occurs or not.
STRUCTURE DEMOLITION. The tearing down of a structure damaged by fire which must, in the opinion of the Building Official or his or her designee, be promptly demolished following the fire to protect public safety.
THREAT OF HARM TO ONESELF OR OTHERS. The verbal or written threat of physical harm to oneself or another or another’s property, which if carried out would be a violation of federal, state or local law.
UTILITY LINE FAILURE. The failure or disabling of operation of a cable, conduit, wire, pipeline or other transmission device, used to transport electricity, natural gas, petroleum products, water or sanitary or storm sewage, when the party responsible for maintaining the cable, conduit, wire, pipeline or other transmission device fails to undertake repair of the failure or disabling within a reasonable time, not to exceed one hour for the time a township representative or employee notifies the party responsible for repairing the failure or disabling, or when the party responsible fails to complete repair of the failure or disabling within a reasonable time. This section shall not apply to communication transmission devices or facilities.
(Prior Code, § II-6.00)