166A-67. Contracts; equipment loans.

(a) The Secretary may contract with any unit or units of local government for the provision of a contract response team to implement the North Carolina Search and Rescue Program. Contracts are to be let consistent with the bidding and contract standards and procedures adopted pursuant to G.S. 166A-66(a)(7) and G.S. 166A-66(a)(8). In entering into contracts with units of local government, the Secretary may agree to provide any of the following:

(1) A loan of equipment.

(2) Reimbursement of personnel costs, including the cost of callback personnel, when a contract response team is authorized by the Department to respond to search and rescue team and specialty rescue team missions.

(3) Reimbursement for use of equipment and vehicles owned by the contract response team.

(4) Replacement of disposable materials and damaged equipment.

(5) Training expenses.

(6) Anything else agreed to by the Secretary and the contract response team.

(b) The Secretary shall not agree to provide reimbursement for standby time.

(c) Any contract entered into between the Secretary and a unit of local government for the provision of a contract response team shall specify that the members of the contract response team, when performing under the contract, shall not be employees of the State and shall not be entitled to benefits under the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System or for the payment by the State of federal Social Security, employment insurance, or workers' compensation.

(d) Contract response teams that have the use of a State vehicle may use the vehicle for local purposes. Where a State vehicle is used for purposes other than authorized contract response to a search and rescue team and specialty rescue team mission, the contract response team shall be liable for repairs or replacements directly attributable to that use.