(1) The term "unavailable" means either that a vacancy in office exists and there is no deputy authorized to exercise 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 his or her duly authorized deputy are unable to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the office.

(2) The term "emergency interim successor" means a person designated pursuant to this chapter, in the event the officer is unavailable, to exercise the powers and discharge the duties of an office until a successor is appointed or elected and qualified as may be provided by the constitution, statutes, charters and ordinances or until the lawful incumbent is able to resume the exercise of the powers and discharge the duties of the office.

(3) The term "office" includes all state and local offices, the powers and duties of which are defined by the constitution, statutes, charters, and ordinances, except the office of governor, and except those in the general assembly and the judiciary.

(4) The term "catastrophic incident" means any natural or manmade incident, including an incident of terrorism or a pandemic, which results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or any governmental entity.

(5) The term "political subdivision" includes counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, fire districts, authorities, and other public corporations and entities whether organized and existing under charter or general law. (Added 1959, No. 13, § 3, eff. March 4, 1959; amended 2007, No. 47, § 18.)