2.57.020 Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
“Emergency or disaster” as used in all sections of this chapter shall mean an event or set of circumstances which: (1) demands immediate action to preserve public health, protect life, protect public property, or to provide relief to any stricken community overtaken by such occurrences, or (2) reaches such a dimension or degree of destructiveness as to warrant the Governor declaring a state of emergency pursuant to RCW 43.06.010.
“Emergency services” means the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than functions for which the military forces are primarily responsible, to minimize and repair injury and damage resulting from disasters caused by enemy attack, sabotage, or other hostile action; or by epidemics; riot, but other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy; nuclear or chemical fiasco or holocaust; fire, flood, storm, earthquake, or other natural causes; and to provide support for persons and property in distress. These functions include, without limitations, fire fighting services; police services; medical and health services; rescue; engineering; air raid warning services; communications; radiological, chemical, and other special weapons defense; evacuations of persons from stricken areas; emergency welfare services; emergency transportation; existing or properly assigned functions of plant protection; temporary restoration of public utility services and other functions related to civilian protection; together with all other activities necessary or incidental to the preparation and for carrying out of the foregoing functions. [Ord. 2013-11-080 § 1; Ord. 8573 § 16(B), 1977].