§ 166A-69.  North Carolina Search and Rescue Team Advisory Committee.

(a) The North Carolina Search and Rescue Team Advisory Committee is created. The Secretary shall appoint the members of the Committee and shall designate the Director of the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management or the Director's designee as the chair. In making appointments, the Secretary shall take into consideration the expertise of the appointees in the management of search and rescue or specialty response team missions. The Secretary shall appoint one representative from each of the following:

(1) The Division of North Carolina Emergency Management, who shall be the Director of the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management or the Director's designee and who shall serve as the chair.

(2) Each state regional contract response team's Chief or Deputy Chief.

(3) The North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal.

(4) The North Carolina Highway Patrol.

(5) The North Carolina National Guard.

(6) The North Carolina Association of Rescue and E.M.S., Inc.

(7) The North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs.

(8) The North Carolina State Firefighters' Association.

(9) The North Carolina Emergency Management Association.

(10) A program representative from each of the following specialty rescue programs:

a. Helicopter rescue.

b. Swiftwater rescue.

c. Mountain rescue.

d. Wilderness search and rescue.

(b) The Advisory Committee shall meet on the call of the chair, or at the request of the Secretary, provided that the Committee shall meet no less than once every year. The Department of Public Safety shall provide space for the Advisory Committee to meet. The Department shall also provide the Advisory Committee with necessary support staff and supplies to enable the Committee to carry out its duties in an effective manner.

(c) Members of the Advisory Committee shall serve without pay, but shall receive travel allowance, lodging, subsistence, and per diem as provided by G.S. 138-5.

(d) The Contract Response Team Advisory Committee shall advise the Secretary on the establishment of the North Carolina Search and Rescue Program. The Committee shall also evaluate and advise the Secretary of the need for additional contract response teams to serve the State. (2014-27, s. 4; 2016-51, s. 6; 2017-57, s. 16E.2; 2017-170, s. 1; 2023-92, s. 6.)