3044

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 666

PREPAREDNESS functions.

(b) It is further declared to be the purpose of
this subtitle and the policy of the State of Maryland
that all civil defense AND DISASTER RELATED functions of
this State be coordinated to the maximum extent possible
with the comparable functions of the federal government,
other states and localities, and of private agencies of
every type, to the end that the most effective
preparation and use may be made of the resources and
facilities available for dealing with any disaster that
may occur.

3.

As used in this subtitle:

(a) ["Civil defense" shall mean] "CIVIL DEFENSE
AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS" MEANS the preparation for and
carrying out of all emergency functions other than
functions for which military forces are primarily
responsible, to SAVE LIVES AND TO minimize and repair
injury and damage resulting from disasters [[caused by
enemy attacks, sabotage or other hostile action, or by
fire, flood, earthquake, or other natural causes]].

(b)          ["Local organization for civil defense" shall
mean] "LOCAL ORGANIZATION FOR CIVIL DEFENSE AND DISASTER
PREPAREDNESS" MEANS an organization created in accordance
with the provisions of this subtitle by city, town,
county, or other local authority as authorized by the
Governor under the State plan.

(c)         "Political subdivision" [shall mean] MEANS any
county, municipal corporation, town, village or district.

(D) "EMERGENCY" MEANS THE THREAT OF AN ENEMY

ATTACK OR ANY HURRICANE, TORNADO, STORM, FLOOD,
HIGH-WATER, WIND-DRIVEN WATER, TIDAL WAVE, LANDSLIDE,
MUDSLIDE, SNOWSTORM, DROUGHT, FIRE, EXPLOSION, OR OTHER
CATASTROPHE IN ANY PART OF THE STATE WHICH REQUIRES
EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO SUPPLEMENT LOCAL EFFORTS IN ORDER
TO SAVE LIVES AND PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, OR TO
AVERT OF LESSEN THE THREAT OF A MAJOR DISASTER.

(E)           "MAJOR DISASTER" MEANS AN ENEMY ATTACK ON THE

UNITED STATES THREATENING OR CAUSING DAMAGE IN THE STATE
AND ANY HURRICANE, TORNADO, STORM, FLOOD, HIGH-WATER,
WIND-DRIVEN WATER, TIDAL WAVE, LANDSLIDE, MUDSLIDE,

SNOWSTORM, DROUGHT, FIRE, EXPLOSION OR OTHER CATASTROPHE
IN ANY PART OF THE STATE WHICH, IN THE DETERMINATION OF
THE GOVERNOR, CAUSES DAMAGE OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY AND
MAGNITUDE TO WARRANT A REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ABOVE AND BEYOND EMERGENCY SERVICES