(a) In the event of an emergency or disaster affecting animals in the State, the emergency manager of the county in which the emergency or disaster has occurred or is occurring may activate qualified volunteers in his or her county from the ServeNY database.

(b) The emergency manager activating qualified volunteers shall do so by using the ServeNY database and shall generate a written log, advising the commissioner of the identities of the volunteers activated.

(c) When the qualified volunteers are no longer needed, the emergency manager shall demobilize the volunteers through the ServeNY database, and shall notify the commissioner, in writing, of the identities of the volunteers deactivated.

(d) Qualified volunteers appointed to an animal response team shall be deemed volunteer State employees for purposes of section 17 of the Public Officers Law and section 3 of the Workers' Compensation Law.