The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Agency.” The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

“Department.” The Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

“Disaster medical assistance teams.” A complement of individuals organized in accordance with standards developed by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and applicable Federal agencies to provide medical service at the scene of natural and manmade disasters and mass casualty incidents.

“Disaster mortuary teams.” A complement of individuals organized in accordance with standards developed by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and applicable Federal agencies to provide mortuary service at the scene of natural and manmade disasters and mass casualty incidents.

“FEMA.” The Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Letter of agreement.” A written agreement between a regional counterterrorism task force and a public, semipublic, private or nonprofit corporation, business, association, partnership, authority, individual or other entity that agrees to provide personnel, equipment, supplies, training facilities or other resources either directly to or in support of the task force's specialized regional counterterrorism response team. All letters of agreement entered into under the provisions of this act must, at a minimum, address all of the following:

“Local health department.” A county department of health under the act of August 24, 1951 (P.L. 1304, No. 315),¹ known as the Local Health Administration Law, or a department of health in a municipality approved for a Commonwealth grant to provide local health services under section 25² of the Local Health Administration Law.

“Manmade disaster.” Any biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological, industrial, commercial or transportation accident, attack, explosion, conflagration, contamination, power failure, computer or communications failure, natural resource shortage or other condition, including enemy or terrorist act, which threatens or causes substantial property damage, human suffering and hardship or loss of life.

“Municipal or municipality.” A city, borough, incorporated town, township or home rule municipality of this Commonwealth.

“Mutual aid.” A county's, municipality's or volunteer service organization's affirmative act of sending its personnel, equipment or resources to the scene of an actual or potential natural or manmade disaster, whether inside or outside the boundaries of this Commonwealth, in response to an official dispatch request from a county 911 communications center, county emergency management agency or the State emergency operations center.

“Mutual aid agreement.” A written agreement between a regional counterterrorism task force and a county, municipality or volunteer service organization whereby the county, municipality or volunteer service organization agrees to provide personnel, equipment or other resources in response to an actual or potential natural or manmade disaster. All mutual aid agreements entered into under the provisions of this act must, at a minimum, address all of the following:

“Natural disaster.” Any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, earthquake, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, insect infestation, fire, explosion or other natural catastrophe which results in substantial property damage, human suffering and hardship or loss of life.

“Regional counterterrorism task force.” A complement of Federal, State, county and municipal emergency management, health, law enforcement, public safety and other officials and representatives from volunteer service organizations, private business and industry, hospitals and medical care facilities and other entities within a multicounty area as determined by the agency that is responsible for conducting counterterrorism planning, training preparedness and response activities.

“Specialized regional counterterrorism response team.” A complement of individuals established by a regional counterterrorism task force and organized in accordance with standards developed by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and applicable Federal agencies to respond to emergencies involving an actual or potential natural or manmade disaster. Such teams may include disaster medical assistance teams and disaster mortuary response teams.

“Specialized Statewide response team.” A complement of individuals organized by the Commonwealth to provide specialized personnel, equipment and other support capabilities in response to an actual or potential natural or manmade disaster in this Commonwealth. Such teams may include disaster medical assistance teams and disaster mortuary response teams.

“Terrorism.” The unlawful use of force or violence committed by a group or individual against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population or any segment thereof in furtherance of political or social objectives.

“Urban search and rescue task force.” A complement of individuals organized by the agency in accordance with standards developed by the agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide emergency response and search and rescue capabilities and resources at the scene of a natural or manmade disaster.

“Volunteer service organization.” A volunteer fire company, volunteer ambulance or medical company, volunteer rescue squad or any other volunteer entity organized and chartered or incorporated in this Commonwealth or chartered by Congress for the primary purpose of providing emergency services as defined in 35 Pa.C.S. § 7102 (relating to definitions).