For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ATTACK. Direct or indirect, actual or threatened, assault against the county, its government or its environs, or against the state or nation, by the forces of a hostile nation or the agents thereof, including but not limited to assault by bombing, conventional, radiological or nuclear, chemical or biological warfare, sabotage or other impending or actual calamity.
DIRECTOR. The coordinator of the emergency management agency, appointed as prescribed in this chapter.
DISASTER. An occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or human-made accidental, military or paramilitary cause.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. Broadly defined, the governmental function that coordinates and integrates all activities to build, sustain and improve the capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from or mitigate against threatened or actual natural disasters, acts of terrorism or other man-made disasters. This shall include plans and preparations for minimizing the adverse effect of any kind of disaster, as defined herein, and shall include prevention, mitigation, warning, response, movement, shelter, emergency assistance and recovery. It shall not, however, include any activity that is the primary responsibility of the military forces of the United States.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FORCES. The employees, equipment and facilities of all county and city (town) departments, boards, councils, institutions, acting in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter and, in addition, it shall include all volunteer personnel, equipment and facilities contributed by or obtained from volunteer persons or agencies while acting in the capacity of emergency management volunteers.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT VOLUNTEER. Any person or agency contributing a service, equipment or facilities to the emergency management agency without remuneration and assigned to participate in the emergency management activity.
INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM (ICS). The combination of facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures, and communications operating within a common organizational structure, designed to aid in domestic incident management activities.
MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS. May include but are not limited to the furnishing or exchange of such supplies, equipment, facilities, personnel and services as may be needed; the reimbursement of costs and expenses for equipment, supplies, personnel and similar items; and on such terms and conditions as deemed necessary.
NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (NIMS). A system prescribed by the Department of homeland Security under the direction of Presidential Directive #5 that strengthens response capabilities through a balance between flexibility and standardization, and use of common doctrine, terminology, concepts, principles and processes. The purpose of NIMS is to provide a consistent nationwide approach for federal, state and local governments to work effectively and efficiently together to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents, regardless of cause, size or complexity.
REGULATIONS. Plans, programs and other emergency procedures deemed essential to emergency management.
(1984 Code, § 2-5-18) (Ord. passed 1-5-1981; Ord. passed 10-1-1990)