Policy Text
I. Disasters, Major Emergencies and Unusual Occurrences
[46.1.2]
A. Disasters - Any natural, technological, or civil emergency that causes
damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to result in a declaration of a
state of emergency by a county, the Governor or the President of the
United States.
B. Major Disaster - A disaster that will likely exceed the capabilities of local
law enforcement/government and requires a broad range of state and
federal assistance.
C. Minor Disaster - A disaster that is likely to be within the response
capabilities of local government and to result in only a minimal need for
state or federal assistance.
D. Major Emergency - Any occurrence, or threat thereof, whether natural,
technological, or man-made, 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.
E. Man-made Emergency - An emergency caused by an action against
persons or society. Examples include: enemy attack, sabotage, terrorism,
civil unrest, or other action impairing the orderly administration of
government.
F. Natural Emergency - An emergency caused by a natural event. Examples
include: a hurricane, storm, flood, severe wave action or drought.
G. Technological Emergency - An emergency caused by a technological
failure or accident. Examples include an explosion, transportation
accident, radiological accident, chemical or other hazardous material
incident.
H. Pandemic - An outbreak of an infectious disease that spreads through
human populations across large regions or worldwide. Examples include:
Influenza, SARS-CoV, H1N1 virus, H3N2 virus, Smallpox and H5N1 Avian
Flu.