2086

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 505

(a)   ["Civil defense and disaster preparedness11]
"EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL DEFENSE" 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] EMERGENCIES BEYOND THE
CAPABILITY OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES.

(b)  "Local organization for [civil defense and
disaster preparedness] EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL
DEFENSE" 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.

(d) "Emergency" means the threat OR OCCURRENCE of an
enemy attack or any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high
water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, EARTHQUAKE, landslide,
mudslide, snowstorm, drought, fire, explosion, ACT OF
TERRORISM or other catastrophe in any part of the State
which requires STATE emergency assistance to supplement
local efforts in order to save lives and protect public
health and safety[, or to avert or 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 by the
federal government, in order to supplement the efforts and
available resources of the State and local governments, and
disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage,
loss, hardship, or suffering caused thereby.]

4.

(a)  [The Governor shall create a Civil Defense and
Disaster Preparedness] THERE IS A STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
AND CIVIL DEFENSE Agency. The Secretary of Public Safety and
Correctional Services shall, with the approval of the
Governor, appoint a STATE Director of [Civil Defense and
Disaster Preparedness] STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL
DEFENSE who shall be the [administrator] EXECUTIVE HEAD OF
[thereof] THE AGENCY. The [Civil Defense and Disaster
Preparedness] STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND CIVIL DEFENSE
Agency shall be part of the Department of Public Safety and
Correctional Services. The Director shall hold office during
the pleasure of the Secretary, and shall receive such salary
as is provided in the budget.

(b)  Subject to the authority of the Secretary of
Public Safety and Correctional Services, the Director may