As used in this chapter, the term "emergency management" means the preparation for
and carrying out of all emergency and disaster functions other than those functions
for which military forces or other state and federal agencies are primarily responsible;
to prevent, minimize, and repair injury and damage resulting from emergencies, energy
emergencies, disasters, or the imminent threat thereof, of manmade or natural origin
caused by enemy attack, sabotage, acts of domestic or international terrorism, civil
disturbance, fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, wave action, oil spill or other
water contamination requiring emergency action to avert danger or damage, epidemic,
air contamination, blight, drought, infestation, explosion, riot or other hostile
action, radiological action, or other causes. These functions include, without limitations,
firefighting services, police services, emergency medical services, rescue; engineering,
warning services, communications, defense from radiological, chemical, biological,
and other special weapons to include weapons of mass destruction, evacuation of persons
from stricken areas, emergency welfare services, consequence management functions
to include victim services, emergency transportation, plant protection, temporary
restoration of public utility spaces, search and rescue, and any other function relative
to civilian protection, together with all other activities necessary or incidental
to total emergency and disaster preparedness for the carrying out of the foregoing
functions.
