Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

Title 32 - National Defense last revised: Nov 18, 2024
Appendix Appendix A - Appendix A to Part 623—Explanation of Terms
As used in this regulation, the following explanation of terms apply: Accouterments. Equipment that is associated with small arms characterized as personal and individual that is available from Army stocks. Approving authority. The person (or designee) authorized to approve specific types of loans of Army materiel. (See table 2-1 and app B.) Arms. Weapons for use in war. Civil authorities. Those elected and appointed public officials and employees who govern the 50 States, District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, US possessions and territories, and governmental subdivisions thereof. Civil defense. All those activities and measures designed or undertaken to:

a. Minimize the effects upon the civilian population caused, or which would be caused, by an enemy attack upon the United States.

b. Deal with immediate emergency conditions which would be created by any such attack.

c. Effect emergency repairs to, or the emergency restoration of, vital utilities and facilities destroyed or damaged by any such attack (JCS Pub 1).

Community relations program. A program of action, to earn public understanding and acceptance, conducted at all levels of military command wherever stationed. The program includes participation in public events, humane acts, and cooperation with public officials and civil leaders (AR 360-61). Defense Civil Preparedness Agency (DCPA). A defense department agency responsible for plans and preparations for civil defense and assistance to local governments in disaster relief planning. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Federal department responsible for directing and coordinating Federal assistance for major disasters on behalf of the President. Domestic action program. A program of assistance to local, State, and Federal agencies for the continued improvement and development of society (AR 28-19 and para 4-10, AR 360-61). Emergency. Any catastrophe in any of the United States which in the determination of the President requires Federal supplementary emergency assistance. Emergency medical treatment. The immediate application of medical procedures to wounded, injured, or sick, by trained professional medical personnel. Executive agent. That individual or his designee authorized to act as the US Government's agent in making certain loans of government materiel. The President of the United States has delegated to the Secretary of the Army (or to his designee, the Under Secretary of the Army) authority, as Executive Agent, to approve certain loans of DOD materiel to non-DOD activities. (See table 2-1.) Other “approving authorities” act as “Executive Agents” for the US Government, but do not have that title. Federal agency. Any department, independent establishment, government corporation, or other agency of the executive branch of the Federal Government, except the ANRC. Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO). The person appointed by the President to operate under the HUD Regional Director for Federal Disaster Assistance Administration to coordinate Federal assistance in Presidentially declared emergency or major disaster. Federal Disaster Assistance Administration (FDAA). The agency within HUD delegated the disaster relief responsibilities previously assigned to the Office of Emergency Preparedness. Federal function. Any function, operation, or action carried out under the laws of the United States by any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States or by an officer or employee thereof. Federal property. That property which is owned, leased, possessed, or occupied by the Federal Government. Imminent serious condition. Any disaster or civil disturbance which is of such severity that immediate assistance is required to save human life, prevent immediate human suffering, or reduce destruction or damage to property. Local government. Any county, parish, city, village, town, district, Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization, Alaska native village or organization, or other political subdivision of any State. Major disaster. Any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earth-quake, drought, fire, or other catastrophe which, in the determination of the President, is or threatens to be off sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant disaster assistance by the Federal Government. This assistance supplements the efforts and available resources of States, local governments, and relief organization in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused thereby. Objective area. A specific geographical location where a civil disturbance or disaster is occurring or is anticipated. Routine requests. Requests resulting from situations which are reasonably predictable or do not require immediate action to prevent or reduce loss of life, property, or essential services. Reduced efficiency of the requester's operation is not in itself grounds for classifying a request higher than routine. Small arms. Hand and shoulder weapons for use in war. Surety bond. A bond, including dollar deposit, guaranteeing performance of a contract or obligations. Terrorist incident. A form of civil disturbance which is a distinct criminal act committed or threatened to be committed by a group or single individual in order to advance a political or other objective, thus endangering safety of individuals or property. This definition does not include aircraft piracy emergencies. Threatened major disaster. Any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earthquake, drought, fire, or other catastrophe which, in the determination of the Administrator, FDAA, threatens to be of severity and magnitude sufficient to warrant disaster assistance by the Federal Government. This assistance will be used to avert or lessen the effects of such disaster before its actual occurrence. Urgent requests. Those resulting from unforeseeable circumstances, civil disturbances, civil defense needs, aircraft piracy, secret service requirements, and disasters when immediate action is necessary to prevent loss of life, physical injury, destruction of property, or disruption of essential functions. Youth groups. Youth groups are groups such as the Boy Scouts of America; Girl Scouts of the United States of America; Civil Air Patrol; Camp Fire Girls, Incorporated; The Boy's Club of America; Young Men's Christian Association; Young Women's Christian Association; Four H Clubs; and similar groups.
source: AR 700-131, 45 FR 62038, Sept. 18, 1980, unless otherwise noted.