The following terms when used in this chapter shall have the following meanings herein ascribed:

(1)  “Contagious disease” means an infectious disease.

(2)  “Disability” means a condition of physical incapacity to perform any assigned duty or duties in the fire department or emergency medical service.

(3)  “Emergency medical technician” means a person licensed pursuant to chapter 4.1 of this title to provide emergency medical services.

(4)  “Fire department” means service groups (paid or volunteer) that are organized and trained for the prevention and control of loss of life and property from fire or other emergency.

(5)  “Fire fighter” means an individual who is assigned to fire fighting activity and is required to respond to alarms and perform emergency action at the location of a fire, hazardous materials, or other emergency incident.

(6)  “Infectious disease” means interruption, cessation, or disorder of body functions, systems, or organs transmissible by association with the sick or their secretions or excretions, excluding the common cold. Infectious disease includes, but is not limited to, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV).

(7)  “Licensed facility” means a hospital, nursing home, dialysis center, physician’s office operatory, or the like, as may be licensed by the state to provide medical care.

(8)  “Police officer” means any permanently employed city or town police officer, state police officer, committing squad member, or other permanent law enforcement officer as defined in § 12-7-21; provided, however, this shall not include the highest ranking officer of any of the departments.

(9)  “Strike force member” means any member of the statewide strike force of the department of attorney general.