As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) “Local government entity” means any city, town, municipality, county, including any county having a metropolitan form of government, local education agency, development district, utility district, human resource agency or other political subdivision of this state;
(2) “Local government joint venture entity” means any entity created pursuant to this chapter, including, but not limited to, a self-insurance pool, trust, joint venture, nonprofit organization, or any other type of organization that is sponsored, owned, operated, or governed by two (2) or more local government entities as a separate and specific activity;
(3) “Public agency” means: Any political subdivision of this state;
(4) Any private incorporated fire department and industrial fire department not supported by public funds or which are only partially supported by public funds;
(5) Any incorporated rescue squad that is not supported by public funds or that is only partially supported by public funds;
(6) Any agency of the state government or of the United States; and
(7) Any political subdivision of another state; and
(8) “State” means a state of the United States.