(1) The sheriff of each county has the responsibility for search and rescue activities within the county. The duty of a sheriff under this subsection may be delegated to a qualified deputy or emergency service worker.
(2) If the sheriff does not accept the responsibility for search and rescue activities, the chief executive of the county shall designate the county emergency program manager to perform the duties and responsibilities required under ORS 401.015 to 401.107, 401.257 to 401.325 and 401.355 to 401.584.
(3) The sheriff, or individual authorized under subsection (1) or (2) of this section, of each county shall notify the Office of Emergency Management of each search and rescue in the county and shall request the assignment of incident numbers therefor.
(4) When search and rescue activities occur in a multicounty area:
(a) The sheriff, or the authorized individual described in subsection (3) of this section, of one county shall take charge or the counties shall form a unified command, as outlined in the National Incident Management System Incident Command System established by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 of February 28, 2003; or
(b) If the appropriate sheriff or the authorized individual does not assume command as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the sheriff who received the initial call shall take charge of the multicounty search and rescue. [1983 c.586 §25; 1993 c.187 §18; 2007 c.530 §1]
Section: Previous 401.538 401.539 401.540 401.543 401.546 401.550 401.555 401.560 401.570 401.573 401.576 401.580 401.582 401.584 401.590 NextLast modified: August 7, 2008