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 the 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 within 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 person 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 chapter. 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 not 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.
Effective: June 27, 2019
History: Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 54, sec. 1, effective June 27, 2019. — Amended
2012 Ky. Acts ch. 106, sec. 2, effective July 12, 2012. — Amended 2008 Ky. Acts ch.
109, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2008. — Amended 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 123, sec. 10, effective June 20, 2005. — Created 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 226, sec. 83, effective July 15,
1998.
Legislative Research Commission Note (7/12/2012). 2012 Ky. Acts ch. 106, sec. 6, provides that Sections 2 to 5 of the Act, which included an amendment to this statute, shall be known as the “Chase McMurray Act.”
Legislative Research Commission Note (7/15/2008). 2008 Ky. Acts ch. 109, sec. 4, provides that Sections 1 to 3 of this Act, which included an amendment to this statute, shall be known as the “Golden Alert Bill.”