(a) When a governmental entity is affected by an occurrence that its resources will not be adequate to handle, the governmental entity may request aid through the appropriate emergency management employee or official, or a county or municipality may declare a local state of emergency as provided in § 58-8-104 and request assistance by communicating the request to a potential responding party or multiple potential responding parties. Requests for aid or for assistance must be made by the appropriate official or employee to the emergency communications dispatch center of potential responding parties or other officials authorized by the potentially responding party to respond to requests under this chapter.

(b) Each request for aid or assistance may be made verbally and should, to the extent possible, include the following:

(1) A statement that an occurrence is imminent, in progress, or has occurred. The statement should also indicate whether a declaration of a state of emergency has been made and give a general description of the occurrence or emergency, including an initial estimate of the damages and injuries sustained or expected;

(2) Identification of the service functions for which aid or assistance is needed and the particular type of aid or assistance needed;

(3) The amount of personnel, equipment, materials, and supplies needed; and

(4) An estimated time and place for a representative of the requesting party to meet the responding party.

(c) Each request for aid or assistance may include the following if known or necessary:

(1) An estimate of the amount of time, aid, or assistance that will be needed.

(2) Identification of the types of infrastructure for which aid or assistance is needed, e.g., water and sewer, streets, gas, electric, or other infrastructure; and

(3) Identification of the need for sites, structures, or other facilities outside the requesting party's jurisdiction to serve as relief centers or staging areas for incoming emergency goods or services.

(d) All requests for assistance shall be confirmed in writing to the responding party or parties within thirty (30) days of the initial request. Parties shall keep records of all requests made for assistance under this chapter.

(e) In addition to any agreement for mutual aid made under title 5 or title 12, a governmental entity is authorized to request mutual aid for emergency medical services provided under title 68, chapter 140, from the emergency communications dispatch center of a county that is contiguous to the requesting county or governmental entity for occurrences that involve serious injuries or possible loss of life in instances that might not reasonably lead to a declared emergency.