§ 26-2. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Attack means a direct or indirect assault against the city, its government, its environs, or of the nation, by the forces of a hostile nation or the agents thereof, including assault by bombing, radiological, chemical or biological warfare, or sabotage.

Coordinator means the coordinator of the city office of emergency management, appointed as prescribed in this chapter.

Director means the city manager or his designee; or at the time of any declaration of a state of emergency, or in the event of the physical disability or absence from the city of the city manager, that officer or employee of the city who is physically present within the city and physically qualified to assume the duties of the director, and who is next in precedence according to the order of succession set forth in section 26-6.4 of this chapter.

Emergency means any occurrence, or threat thereof, whether accidental, natural, technological or manmade, in war or in peace, which results or may result in substantial injury or harm to the population or substantial damage to or loss of property within the city.

Emergency management, in its broad meaning, means to carry out the basic government functions of maintaining the public peace, health and safety during an emergency. This shall include the formulation of plans and preparation for protection from, and relief, recovery and rehabilitation from, the effects of an emergency, as defined herein, and shall also include the effects of an attack on the city by the forces of an enemy nation or the agents thereof. It shall not, however, include any activity that is the primary responsibility of the military forces of the United States or other federal agencies.

Emergency management force means the employees, equipment and facilities of all city departments, boards and institutions and, in addition, it shall include all volunteer personnel, equipment and facilities contributed by, or obtained from, volunteer persons or agencies.

Emergency management volunteer means any person duly registered, identified and appointed by the coordinator of the office of emergency management and assigned to participate in the emergency management activity.

Regulations includes plans, programs and any other emergency procedures deemed essential to emergency management as promulgated by legally constituted authority.

Volunteer means contributing a service, equipment or facilities to the emergency management organization without remuneration.

(Code 1981, § 7.3-3; Ord. No. 1998-72, § 1, 11-17-98)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.