In AS 26.23.500 — 26.23.549,

1. (1) “assistance” means emergency responders and resources provided by a responding political subdivision in response to a request from a requesting political subdivision;

2. (2) “emergency responder” means an employee of a responding political subdivision or of a contractor under contract with a responding political subdivision or a member of a volunteer fire department registered with the state fire marshal that provides services to the responding political subdivision, who is designated in writing by that responding political subdivision as possessing skills, qualifications, training, knowledge, or experience that may be needed, under a request for assistance under AS 26.23.500 — 26.23.549, for

   1. (A) response, mitigation, or recovery activities related to a disaster; or
   2. (B) participation in drills or exercises in preparation for a disaster;

3. (3) “operational control”

   1. (A) means the limited authority to direct tasks, assignments, and use of assistance provided pursuant to a request for assistance under AS 26.23.500 — 26.23.549 for

      1. (i) response, mitigation, or recovery activities related to a disaster; or
      2. (ii) participation in drills or exercises in preparation for a disaster;
   2. (B) does not include medical protocols or standard operating procedures observed in the responding political subdivision, or any right, privilege, or benefit of ownership or employment, including disposition, compensation, wages, salary, pensions, health benefits, leave, seniority, discipline, promotion, hiring, or firing;

4. (4) “resources” means supplies, materials, equipment, facilities, energy, services, information systems, and other assets, except for emergency responders, that may be needed, under a request for assistance from a political subdivision, for

   1. (A) response, mitigation, or recovery activities related to a disaster; or
   2. (B) participation in drills or exercises in preparation for a disaster;
5. (5) “state agency” has the meaning given in AS 37.05.990.