For purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall be defined as follows:
“City” means the city of Visalia.
“Emergency” means a sudden, unexpected occurrence which poses an unreasonable and imminent risk to life, health or safety of persons, property or to the ecological balance of the environment and requires immediate action by emergency response personnel.
“Emergency response personnel” means any person employed with either the fire and emergency management or police departments of the city or any other emergency related governmental agency having jurisdiction within the city.
“Hazardous materials” means a substance or combination of substances, of any kind whatsoever, which, because of quantity, concentration, physical, chemical or infectious characteristics, may:
1. Cause, or significantly contribute to an increase in mortality, an increase in serious irreversible or incapacitating reversible illness; or
2. Pose an unreasonable and imminent risk to the life, health or safety of persons, property or to the ecological balance of the environment when improperly released, treated, stored, transported, disposed of or otherwise managed.
3. Hazardous materials shall include, but are not limited to, any material defined in Section 25501 of Chapter 6.95, Division 20 of the California Health and Safety Code as amended.
“Nonemergency” means an occurrence that is not a life threatening situation, and therefore, does not require the deployment of emergency response personnel.
“Person” means an individual, trust, firm, corporations, joint stock company, partnership, or association, as well as the employer of said person.
“Release or hazardous material release” means accidental or intentional spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, burning, emitting, employing, or dumping of hazardous materials into or on any land, water, or air, which is unauthorized by federal, state, or local governing agencies or statutes.
“Scene management” means the designated agency or department with the authority to coordinate and direct the containment and cleanup activities of an incident and herein referred to as “scene manager.” (Prior code § 4512)