Chapter 8.15
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Sections:
8.15.020 Emergency management policy.
8.15.030 “Emergency management” defined.
8.15.040 “Emergency or disaster” defined.
8.15.050 “Emergency coordinator” defined.
8.15.060 “Deputy emergency coordinator” defined.
8.15.070 Emergency operations plan.
8.15.080 Emergency management organization.
8.15.090 Disaster and emergency powers of the mayor.
8.15.100 Disaster and emergency powers of the emergency coordinator.
8.15.105 Powers of temporary replacement of the mayor.
8.15.110 Functions and duties of departments and employees.
8.15.010 Purpose.
The declared purposes of this chapter are to provide for the preparation and carrying out of plans for mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery for persons and property within Lake Forest Park in the event of an emergency or disaster, and to provide for the coordination of emergency functions and services of Lake Forest Park with the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency and other affected public agencies and private persons, corporations and organizations. Any expenditures made in connection with such emergency management activities, including mutual aid activities, shall be deemed conclusively to be for the direct protection and benefit of the inhabitants and property of Lake Forest Park. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.020 Emergency management policy.
It is the policy of the city of Lake Forest Park to make effective preparation and use of manpower, resources and facilities for dealing with any emergency or disaster that may occur. Disasters and emergencies, by their very nature, may disrupt or destroy existing systems and the capability of the city of Lake Forest Park to respond to protect life, public health and public property. Therefore, citizens are advised to be prepared to be on their own for up to 72 hours should an emergency or disaster occur. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.030 “Emergency management” defined.
“Emergency management” means the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than functions for which the military forces are primarily responsible, to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters, and to aid victims suffering from injury or damage resulting from disasters caused by all hazards, whether natural or manmade, and to provide support for search and rescue operations for persons and property in distress. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.040 “Emergency or disaster” defined.
A. “Emergency or disaster” as used in this chapter shall mean an event or set of circumstances which: (1) demands immediate action to preserve public health, protect life, protect public property, or to provide relief to any stricken area within the city overtaken by such occurrences, or (2) reaches such a dimension or degree of destructiveness as to warrant the mayor proclaiming the existence of a disaster or the Governor declaring a state of emergency in accordance with appropriate local and state statute.
B. The proclamation of emergency or disaster shall be accompanied simultaneously by:
1. A public proclamation posted on the exterior of all city offices, schools and libraries; and
2. A prompt effort to serve personal notice to all members of the city council, with service modes to include as necessary confirmed telephone contact or personal service by city staff. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.050 “Emergency coordinator” defined.
The “emergency coordinator” shall mean the person appointed by the mayor responsible for the administration and operation of the emergency management program for the city. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.060 “Deputy emergency coordinator” defined.
The “deputy emergency coordinator” shall mean the person appointed by the emergency coordinator to represent him/her in his/her absence. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.070 Emergency operations plan.
The emergency operations plan, prepared by the emergency management committee, and promulgated by the city council, is the official emergency operations plan of the city of Lake Forest Park. The emergency coordinator shall file a copy of said plan in the office of the city clerk, and distribute copies of said plan to appropriate city departments. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.080 Emergency management organization.
The emergency management organization of the city of Lake Forest Park is created, and shall consist of:
A. The mayor, who shall be the administrative head and have direct responsibility for the organization, administration and operation of the emergency management program for the city of Lake Forest Park and direct responsibility for the emergency operations of departments in the city;
B. The emergency coordinator, who shall be appointed by the mayor, and who shall develop and maintain the emergency operations plan and program in cooperation with the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency, and the emergency management committee, and shall have such other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the mayor;
C. A deputy emergency coordinator, who may be appointed by the emergency coordinator, subject to the approval of the mayor, shall perform such functions as outlined in the emergency management plan and shall act for and exercise the powers and perform the duties of the emergency coordinator during his/her absence or disability;
D. An emergency management committee appointed by the emergency coordinator that shall provide staff support to the emergency coordinator in the development, implementation and maintenance of the emergency operations plan, and to staff the emergency operations center and perform any other necessary functions during an emergency or disaster. The committee shall consist of such key personnel as are designated by the department directors, personnel from the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency and such personnel from outside professional and volunteer organizations having key roles in emergency preparedness, planning and response activities as determined by the emergency coordinator;
E. The city has, in conjunction with other cities, in consideration of mutual benefits to be derived, and as authorized under Chapter 39.34 RCW formed the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency to provide combined emergency management services in accordance with Chapter 38.52 RCW;
F. Other as deemed appropriate by the city. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.090 Disaster and emergency powers of the mayor.
In the event of a proclamation of a disaster as herein provided, or upon the proclamation of a state of extreme emergency by the Governor of the state, the mayor is empowered:
A. To make and issue rules and regulations on matters reasonably related to the protection of life and property as affected by such disaster; provided, however, such rules and regulations must be confirmed at the earliest practicable time by the city council;
B. To request the county executive to proclaim a local emergency when, in the opinion of the mayor, the resources of the area or region are inadequate to cope with the disaster;
C. To obtain vital supplies, equipment and such other properties found lacking and needed for the protection of the life and property of the people and to bind the city for the fair value thereof, and, if required immediately, to commandeer the same for public use;
D. To control and direct the efforts of the emergency management organization of the city for the accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter;
E. To require emergency services of any city officer or employee and, in the event of the proclamation of a state of extreme emergency by the Governor in the region in which this city is located, to command the aid of as many citizens of this city as may be deemed necessary in the execution of the mayor’s duties; and such persons to be entitled to all privileges, benefits and immunities as are provided by state law for registered emergency workers;
F. To requisition necessary personnel or materials of any city department or agency;
G. To execute all of the special powers conferred upon the mayor by this chapter, by any other statute, agreement or lawful authority, as necessary;
H. Other as deemed appropriate by the city. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.100 Disaster and emergency powers of the emergency coordinator.
The emergency coordinator is empowered:
A. To request the mayor to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a disaster and the termination thereof, if the city council is in session, or to issue such proclamation, if the city council is not in session, subject to confirmation by the city council at the earliest practicable time;
B. To direct coordination and cooperation between divisions, services and staff of the departments and services of the city in carrying out the provisions of the emergency management plan, and to resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise between them;
C. To recommend for adoption by the city council emergency management plans and mutual aid agreements;
D. To represent the emergency management organization of the city in dealing with issues pertaining to emergency management;
E. To prepare and maintain the emergency management plan of the city and manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the emergency management program activities of the city in coordination with the Emergency Services Coordinating Agency;
F. Other as deemed appropriate by the city. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.105 Powers of temporary replacement of the mayor.
The following elected officials shall, in the order listed, act on behalf of the mayor if he/she is unable to carry out his/her duties, in carrying out the purposes of this chapter or the provisions of the emergency management plan:
A. The mayor pro tempore;
B. The most senior city councilmember;
C. The remaining city councilmembers in order of continuous seniority. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.110 Functions and duties of departments and employees.
The city council assigns to the various departments and to the officers and employees thereof the functions, duties and powers set forth in the emergency management plan referenced in LFPMC 8.15.070. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.120 Private liability.
No individual, firm, association, corporation or other party owning, maintaining or controlling any building or premises, who voluntarily and without compensation grants to the city of Lake Forest Park a license or privilege or otherwise permits said city to inspect, designate and use the whole or any part or parts of such building or premises for the purpose of sheltering persons during an actual, impending, mock or practice emergency or disaster, or their successors in interest, or the agents or employees of any of them, shall be subject to liability for injuries sustained by any person while in or upon said building or premises as a result of any act or omission in connection with the upkeep or maintenance thereof, except a willful act of misconduct, when such a person has entered or gone into or upon said building or premises for the purpose of seeking refuge therein during an emergency or disaster or an attack by enemies of the United States or during a disaster drill, exercise or test ordered by a lawful authority. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.130 Violation – Penalty.
Any person who shall:
A. Willfully obstruct, hinder or delay any member of the emergency management organization in the enforcement of any lawful rule or regulation issued pursuant to this chapter or in the performance of any duty imposed upon such member by virtue of this chapter;
B. Do any act forbidden by any lawful rules or regulations issued pursuant to this chapter if such act is of such a nature as to give or be likely to give assistance to the enemy, or to imperil the lives or property of inhabitants of this city, or to prevent, hinder or delay the defense or protection thereof;
C. Wear, carry or display, without authority, any means of identification specified by the emergency management agency of the state, shall upon conviction, be fined in such sum and subject to jail time as shall then be imposed for misdemeanors in the general fines and penalties portion of the Lake Forest Park Municipal Code. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)
8.15.140 Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable. (Ord. 665 § 2, 1996)