Chapter 2.50
EMERGENCY SERVICES ORGANIZATION
Sections:
2.50.010 Emergency services organization established.
2.50.040 Proclamation of emergency.
2.50.050 Emergency authorizations.
2.50.060 Director of emergency services.
2.50.080 Emergency operations director.
2.50.090 Emergency preparedness officer.
2.50.100 Continuity of emergency management.
2.50.010 Emergency services organization established.
Pursuant to Chapter 38.52 RCW, there is hereby established in the town of Hunts Point an emergency services organization for the purpose of performing local emergency management functions. The basic role of the organization is to represent the town during emergencies and to manage and coordinate the town’s emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery activities. [Ord. 419 § 1, 2002]
2.50.020 Definitions.
The following terms as used in this chapter shall have the following meanings:
A “disaster” or “catastrophe” is a situation where the community’s available resources to carry out an emergency response are expended or insufficient. Conditions may be beyond the capability of the services, personnel, equipment and facilities of the town, and may require the combined forces of the town and other political jurisdictions to respond.
“Emergency” means the actual or threatened existence of conditions that place life, property, or the environment in danger and potentially impact the provision of essential town services. An emergency requires an immediate response to protect life and property. [Ord. 419 § 2, 2002]
2.50.030 Operations.
The organization shall operate under the policy guidance of the Hunts Point comprehensive emergency management plan (CEMP). As set forth in WAC 118-30-060, this plan is based on a hazard analysis and contains the following elements in the basic plan: purpose, authorizations, situation, planning assumptions, organizations and responsibilities, concept of operations, administration and logistics, and direction and control. As required, the plan addresses 26 operational functions. The required operational functions are organized within the incident command system (ICS) structure. [Ord. 419 § 3, 2002]
2.50.040 Proclamation of emergency.
The mayor, upon determining that an emergency exists, has the authority and responsibility for making the proclamation of local emergency. The CEMP defines the criteria for making an emergency proclamation. [Ord. 419 § 4, 2002]
2.50.050 Emergency authorizations.
The proclamation of local emergency is a public acknowledgement of the serious situation the town faces and authorizes the town to exercise the powers vested by RCW 38.52.070. The town shall have the power to enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to protect the health and safety of persons and property and to provide assistance to disaster victims without regard to formalities prescribed by law (except mandatory constitutional requirements), including but not limited to budget law limitations and the appropriation and expenditure of public funds. The director of emergency services or his designee may authorize emergency expenditures as needed to protect the health and safety of persons and properties during emergencies. [Ord. 419 § 5, 2002]
2.50.060 Director of emergency services.
(1) The director of emergency services shall be directly responsible for the organization, administration, and operation of the emergency services organization. The town administrator or his designee shall serve as the director of emergency services. The Hunts Point CEMP and any amendments thereto shall be effective when approved by the director of emergency services.
(2) The director of emergency services shall appoint an emergency services committee to help in the development, implementation, and maintenance of the CEMP. The director of emergency services shall chair the committee. The emergency operations director shall be the vice-chair. The emergency preparedness officer shall provide staff support to the committee.
(3) The director of emergency services shall appoint the remaining committee members in consultation with the emergency operations director and the emergency preparedness officer. The committee may be comprised of town personnel assigned emergency responsibilities in the plan, town consultants, representatives from emergency support agencies such as the Red Cross, and representatives from the agencies supplying fire, sewer and water services to the town. [Ord. 419 § 6, 2002]
2.50.070 Powers.
The organization shall have all powers granted under Chapter 38.52 RCW as now or hereafter amended, by the CEMP, and as may otherwise be provided by law. [Ord. 419 § 7, 2002]
2.50.080 Emergency operations director.
(1) The emergency operations director shall manage the Hunts Point emergency operations center (EOC) during emergencies. The chief of police shall serve as the emergency operations director. As the need arises, the emergency operations director has the authority to direct all human or material resources owned by the town to combat the effects of a threatened or any actual emergency and the authority to request mutual aid or assistance from other public entities.
(2) The director of emergency services, in consultation with the emergency operations director and the emergency services committee, shall oversee and provide policy recommendations to the town council during emergency and recovery periods and provide policy direction for development and maintenance of the Hunts Point CEMP.
(3) The emergency operations director shall appoint the emergency preparedness officer (EPO).
(4) The incident command system will form the basis for the organizational structure of the emergency operations center and for field level emergency response.
(5) The emergency operations director, in consultation with the director of emergency services, may convene a policy group to provide advice and recommendations to the town council on issues related to governance that may occur during an emergency. Membership is selective and selected on a case by case basis depending upon the nature of the emergency. Issues that might be addressed include unintentional negative outcomes of enforcement of existing policy and emergency conditions, resolution of resource allocation conflicts, and equitable assignment of emergency response priorities in community-wide emergencies. [Ord. 419 § 8, 2002]
2.50.090 Emergency preparedness officer.
The emergency preparedness officer shall direct and coordinate development, implementation and maintenance of the Hunts Point CEMP. As part of this planning process, the emergency preparedness officer will seek to establish coordination with outside agencies and organizations involved in emergency planning, provide for public education and information, and perform such other functions as the emergency operations director shall designate. [Ord. 419 § 9, 2002]
2.50.100 Continuity of emergency management.
The town’s CEMP shall list at least two successors to essential personnel identified in the plan. In the event the primary person is unable to respond to an emergency, each successor, in order, may assume all duties and powers of the primary staff. [Ord. 419 § 10, 2002]