For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ATTACK. A direct or threatened assault against the county or any part of the state by any aggressive force, nation or terrorist, including assault by bombing, chemical or biological warfare or sabotage.
AUTHORIZED EMERGENCY VEHICLE. Any vehicle of the county or a municipality which meets the requirements of the South Carolina Code of Laws as amended and those personal vehicles of members of official volunteer departments of the county, when the vehicles are registered with the office of emergency management or fire marshal.
COMMUNICATIONS. Telephone, radio, computer or other means to convey, converse or relay information concerning health, safety or welfare of the public or protection of property.
DIRECTOR. The director of the York County office of emergency management.
DISASTER. A catastrophic occurrence of a severity and magnitude that normally results in death, injuries and property damage that cannot be managed through the routine procedures and resources of the county.
EMERGENCY. Any situation or potential situation that requires prompt action to protect lives from short- or long-term health risk or danger or is a threat to lives or property.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. Preparedness against, and relief and recovery from, emergencies of man-made, natural, technological or accidental causes. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT shall have the same meaning as, “emergency preparedness,” “emergency services,” “civil defense” and “public safety.”
ENFORCEMENT. The enforcement of this chapter, as well as county, state and federal regulations and laws, and shall also mean emergency management public safety enforcement officers.
FIRE. Inspection, prevention, containment, suppression or extinguishing of fires or flammable or incendiary substances, hazardous materials or other hazardous situations. The county fire marshal is designated as the fire authority and serves as chief of the fire service during major or declared emergency situations.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL. Any substance or material in a quantity or form which may be harmful or injurious to humans, domestic animals, wildlife, economic crops or property when released into the environment and includes but shall not be limited to chemical, biological, radiological or explosive hazards.
LITTER. See SOLID WASTE.
LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE (LEPC). A committee formed by the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (SARA Title III), which has the authority to enact regulations concerning facilities which manufacture, use, store or transport hazardous materials covered under this act.
MASS CASUALTY. An event which puts numbers of persons in danger of bodily injury or death from natural or accidental causes.
MUTUAL AID. Any request from one political jurisdiction to another political jurisdiction for assistance from any fire department, rescue squad, ambulance provider or other emergency service.
NATURAL OR TECHNOLOGICAL EMERGENCY OR DISASTER. Any condition threatening public health, welfare or security as a result of fire, explosion, flood, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, spill of hazardous materials or release of radioactive materials or gases of similar natural or accidental cause.
NUCLEAR. The Catawba Nuclear Station located in the county or other fixed or transportation radiation accident that could affect the residents of the county.
RESCUE. Groups or individuals who, under the direction of the office of emergency management, locate, remove, release or recover persons who are lost, missing or the victim of emergency incidents. These emergency forces include rescue squads, ambulance providers, dive teams, first responders or other organizations or individuals providing similar services.
RESPONSIBLE PARTY. The owner, business entity, controller of property, or perpetrator of events which have or has the potential to be an emergency situation. This person is liable under this code for expenses incurred in the mitigation, response, recovery or investigation of the emergency incident.
SOLID WASTE. Any garbage, refuse, or sludge from a waste treatment facility, water supply plant, or air pollution control facility and other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semi-solid, or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial, commercial, mining, and agricultural operations and from community activities.
VOLUNTEER. Persons contributing service, equipment or facilities to the emergency management organization or county without remuneration or contract of hire. While engaged in such services, they shall have the same immunities as persons and employees of the county performing similar duties.
(‘77 Code, § 6-1) (Ord. 1996, passed 5-6-96; Am. Ord. 6018, passed 12-17-18)
Statutory reference:
Duties of county, S.C. Code § 25-1-450