KRS 39F.010: Definitions for chapter.

The following definitions apply in this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Developmental disability" has the same meaning as in KRS 387.510;

(2) "General rescue squad" means a rescue squad which performs one (1) or more of

the following functions as a stated mission of the organization:

(a) Light duty rescue;

(b) Extrication of persons from vehicles;

(c) Water rescue and recovery operations not utilizing divers;

(d) Search for lost, trapped, or missing persons not utilizing dogs;

(e) Low angle rescue and recovery operations; and

(f) High angle rescue and recovery operations;

(3) "Impaired person" means a person who has a known or reported:

(a) Developmental disability, including but not limited to autism, or traumatic

brain injury and whose disappearance poses a credible threat to the health or

safety of the person, as determined by the Department of Kentucky State

Police or a local law enforcement agency; or

(b) Physical, mental, or cognitive impairment or organic brain disorder, including

but not limited to Alzheimer's disease, and whose disappearance poses a

credible threat to the health or safety of the person, as determined by the

Department of Kentucky State Police or a local law enforcement agency;

(4) "Reports and notification" means t he reporting and notification of any search and

rescue mission to the appropriate agency or person in the manner as specified by

this chapter;

(5) "Rescue" means gaining access, rendering appropriate care, and transporting of a

person or persons by whatever means, to a safe environment for appropriate care;

(6) "Rescue squad" means any organization which engages in the search for lost

persons, rescue of persons, rescue of persons who are trapped or who are in need of

rescue services, search for and recovery of drowned persons, or any other rescue

related activity. "Rescue squad" shall not include the rescue of persons from a fire

by a fire department, the extrication of persons from a vehicle or other activities

which an emergency medical technician, emergency medical technician first

responder, or paramedic is authorized to perform pursuant to applicable statutes and

administrative regulations, if the activities are performed by a person for an

ambulance service or in the role of a first responder. If these activities are

performed other than as a first responder or in the role of an ambulance service and

are involved in rescue operations, they come wi thin the purview of activities of a

rescue squad;

(7) "Search" means the process of looking for a person or persons whose location is not

precisely known, and who may be in distress;

(8) "Search and rescue" ("SAR") means the process of looking for a lost, missing, or

overdue person or persons who may be in distress, and rendering care with the use

of appropriately trained and adequately equipped personnel;

(9) "Search and rescue mission" includes, but is not limited to, searching for a missing

or lost perso n or persons, cave rescue, high angle or rough terrain rescue, urban

search and rescue, dive rescue and recovery of drowning victims, inland water

search, rescue, and recovery. "Search and rescue" may also include any mission

permitted pursuant to this cha pter. A "search and rescue mission" does not include

mine rescue missions under the jurisdiction of the Department for Natural

Resources pursuant to KRS Chapter 351;

(10) "Specialized rescue squad" means a rescue squad which performs one (1) or more

of the following functions as the primary or sole mission of the organization:

(a) Cave rescue;

(b) Search utilizing dogs for lost, trapped or missing persons;

(c) Search for lost, trapped or missing persons, aircraft, or vehicles, utilizing

aircraft, but does n ot apply to licensed air ambulances, active or reserve

military organizations, the National Guard, or the Civil Air Patrol; and

(d) Water rescue and recovery operations utilizing divers;

(11) "Traumatic brain injury" has the same meaning as in KRS 211.470;

(12) "Veteran at risk" means a veteran or an active -duty member of the Armed Forces,

the National Guard, or a military reserve component of the United States who is

known to have a physical or mental health condition, to include post -traumatic

stress disorder (PTSD), that is related to his or her service; and

(13) "Victim recovery" means the search for and the removal to the jurisdiction of the

coroner of the remains of a person known or believed to be dead. If the person is

found alive, it includes rescue of the person.