As used in this chapter:

(1) “Attack” means any action or series of actions causing, or which may cause, substantial damage or injury to persons or property by any means, including through biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear means or through the use of other weapons, technologies, or processes.

(2) “Deputy” means an assistant or other subordinate officer who is authorized by law to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of a state or political subdivision office.

(3) “Emergency event” means an impending or existing attack, act of terrorism, disease, accident, or other natural or man-made disaster that does 1 or more of the following:

a. Threatens the life, health, or safety of the public.

b. Has, or has the potential to, damage or destroy property or disrupt service, commerce, or other economic activities.

c. Makes the continuation of normal government operations difficult or impossible.

(4) “Emergency interim successor” means an individual designated under this chapter to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of an office held by another individual who is unavailable until a successor is appointed or elected and qualified as may be provided by the Delaware Constitution, statutes, charters, or ordinances or until the other individual who is unavailable is able to resume the exercise of the powers and discharge the duties of the office.

(5) “Office” includes all state and political subdivision offices, the powers and duties of which are defined by the Delaware Constitution, statutes, charters, or ordinances. “Office” does not include the Office of Governor and members of the General Assembly and the Judiciary.

(6) “Political subdivision” includes counties, municipalities, districts, authorities, and other public corporations and entities whether organized and existing under a charter or general law.

(7) “Unavailable” means either that a vacancy in an office exists and there is no deputy authorized to exercise all of the powers and discharge the duties of the office, or that the lawful incumbent of the office, including any deputy exercising the powers and discharging the duties of an office because of a vacancy, and the lawful incumbent’s duly authorized deputy are absent or unable to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office.

29 Del. C. 1953, § ?7803; 54 Del. Laws, c. 108; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § ?1; 81 Del. Laws, c. 449, § 31;