§ 2-1122. Definitions.

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

Disaster means an occurrence or threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or technological cause, including, but not limited to, fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, explosion, building or structural collapse, hazardous material spill or release or other environmental contamination, including that caused by biological or radiological spill, release or exposure requiring emergency action to avert danger or damage, epidemic, pandemic disease, air contamination, blight, extended periods of severe and inclement weather, drought, infestation, critical shortages of essential fuels and energy, explosion, riot, hostile military or paramilitary action, mass transportation accidents, utility emergencies, public health emergencies, or acts of terrorism or sabotage.

Public health emergency means an occurrence or imminent threat of an illness or health condition that:

(1)

Is believed to be caused by any of the following:

a.

Bioterrorism;

b.

The appearance of a novel or previously controlled or eradicated infectious agent or biological toxin;

c.

A natural disaster;

d.

A chemical attack or accidental release;

e.

A nuclear attack or accident; and

(2)

Poses a high probability of any of the following harms:

a.

A large number of deaths in the affected population;

b.

A large number of serious or long-term disabilities in the affected population; or

c.

Widespread exposure to an infectious or toxic agent that poses a significant risk of substantial future harm to a large number of people in the affected population.

Utility emergency means and includes, but not be limited to, conditions which endanger or threaten to endanger the safety, potability, availability, transmission, distribution, treatment or storage of water, natural gas, electricity, telecommunications, garbage or sewage.

(Code 1993, § 2-17.1.2; Ord. No. 2004-O-56, 6-8-2004)