(a) Except as otherwise provided by subsection (b) of this Code section, all nongovernmental rescue organizations, associations, groups, teams, search and rescue dog teams, or individuals, whether or not they are holders of a charter issued by this state or officers thereof, shall be prohibited from performing any rescue or emergency management type activity until the organization, association, group, team, search and rescue dog team, or individual has been licensed by the director of emergency management to perform the activities. It is expressly declared that Articles 1 through 3 of this chapter shall not amend, repeal, alter, or affect in any manner Code Section 51-1-29.

(b) Any marine rescue squadron sponsored by and operating under the direction and control of the sheriff of the county of residence of the squadron and chartered as a Marine Rescue Squadron of America, which was so chartered on January 1, 1960, or prior to that date, and which performs only water or boat safety rescue missions within this state, shall be deemed to be a governmental rescue organization within the meaning of subsection (a) of this Code section and need not be licensed by the director of emergency management as provided in the subsection.

(c) The director of emergency management shall promulgate rules and regulations for training and licensing standards for private search and rescue dog teams. The director shall maintain a registry of public and private search and rescue dog teams operating within the state. Any public or private organization which provides rescue services in this state utilizing search and rescue dog teams shall register with the director the name and address of the organization, a 24 hour telephone number to be used for contact during emergencies, the counties in which the search and rescue dog teams provide service, the types of specialized search and rescue dog teams which are available, and such other information as the director may require by rule and regulation.