Chapter 2.60
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Sections:
2.60.020 Emergency management policy.
2.60.040 Emergency management plan.
2.60.050 Adoption of the emergency management plan.
2.60.060 Emergency management organization.
2.60.070 Continuity of government.
2.60.080 Emergency management committee.
2.60.090 Functions and duties of the departments and employees.
2.60.100 Effect of chapter on other rules and regulations.
2.60.110 Interpretation of chapter.
2.60.120 Emergency management coordinator.
2.60.121 No liability in designated shelters – State assumption of liability.
2.60.130 Emergency management appropriation.
2.60.010 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the general public during an emergency or disaster. It provides for the preparation and carrying out of plans for mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery of persons and property within the city of Sequim in the event of an emergency or disaster. It further provides for coordination of emergency functions and services of the city of Sequim, and with those of other affected public agencies and private persons, corporations, organizations, businesses, or tribes. Expenditures made in connection with such emergency management activities, including mutual aid activities, will be deemed conclusively for the direct protection and general benefit of the inhabitants and property within the city of Sequim. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)
2.60.020 Emergency management policy.
A. It is the policy of the city of Sequim to make the best possible preparation and use of city manpower, resources, and facilities for dealing with any emergency disaster that may occur, and to cooperate to the extent possible with adjacent jurisdictions in order to make maximum use of local emergency response and recovery resources. The approved emergency management plan defines how the policy of emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery will be carried out in the city of Sequim.
B. All personnel of the city of Sequim are directed to support the emergency and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery activities of the emergency management organization as defined in the approved emergency management plan.
C. Because the demands of the emergency may prevent the city from meeting all of the immediate needs of the community, each citizen is encouraged to prepare for at least two to three weeks without outside help. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)
2.60.030 Definitions.
The following terms, phrases, and words as used in this chapter have the meanings given in this section:
A. “Continuity of government” means the maintenance or reconstitution of the civil government’s ability to carry out the executive, legislative, and judicial processes and services under the threat or occurrence of any emergency conditions that could disrupt such processes and services.
B. “County” means Clallam County.
C. “Director” means the person responsible for the administration and operation of the emergency management program for the city of Sequim. The director will be the Sequim police chief. If the police chief is unavailable, the person occupying the city position of public works director will be the acting director.
D. “Disaster,” as used in this chapter, means an emergency as defined herein which seriously affects the safety, health, or welfare of a substantial number of the citizens of this city; precludes the operation or use of essential public services and facilities; and which reaches such magnitude, dimension, or degree of destructiveness as to warrant the city council, by proclamation of disaster, to formally seek county, state, and/or federal supplementation of local efforts or resources utilized in alleviating the danger, damage, suffering, or hardship faced.
E. “Emergency management” means the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than functions for which 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.
F. “Emergency,” as used in this chapter, means an event or set of circumstances, having been caused by the forces of nature, or other forces beyond the control of humans, by reason of civil disorder, riot, or disturbance, or by other factors not foreseen and not known to exist when the city budget was adopted, demands immediate action to preserve public health, protect life, protect public property, or to provide relief to any stricken neighborhood overtaken by such occurrences.
G. “Emergency management agency” means the Sequim police department.
H. “Emergency management organization” means any and all of the personnel, facilities, services and resources of the city of Sequim necessary to address the emergency pursuant to this chapter.
I. In any policies to implement this chapter the city manager may perform any function delegated to the office of the mayor.
J. Other Definitions. All definitions of terms contained within RCW 38.52.010 as adopted or hereinafter amended are adopted by this reference. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)
2.60.040 Emergency management plan.
The emergency management plan, prepared by the director and promulgated by the city council, is the official emergency management plan of the city of Sequim, and defines how the city of Sequim will carry out a program of emergency management. The director will file a copy of said plan in the office of the city clerk and distribute copies of said plan to appropriate city departments and other cooperating agencies and organizations. The city council authorizes and directs the director to prepare and distribute the emergency management plan. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)
2.60.050 Adoption of the emergency management plan.
The city of Sequim adopted an emergency management plan dated March 19, 2003, incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein, copies of which are on file in the office of the city clerk available for public inspection. The emergency management plan will also be available on the city website. Any amendments to the adopted and state certified plan when approved by the city council and approved and certified by the state will constitute the emergency management plan. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)
2.60.060 Emergency management organization.
The emergency management organization for the city of Sequim is hereby created and will consist of:
A. The city manager, who must appoint a director to be the administrative head and have direct responsibility for organization, administration, and operation of the emergency management organization for the city of Sequim and direct responsibility for the emergency operations of departments of the city of Sequim;
B. The director, who must develop and maintain the emergency management plan and program for the city of Sequim and will have such duties as may be assigned by the city manager or as identified in the approved emergency management plan;
C. Compensated members of the emergency management organization;
D. Volunteer members of the emergency management organization;
E. Such advisory committees as may be appointed by the mayor or city manager;
F. Others as deemed appropriate by the city of Sequim;
G. At such time as an emergency is declared by the city council, any or all of the personnel, services, facilities, or resources of the city of Sequim necessary to address the effect of the emergency or disaster. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)
2.60.070 Continuity of government.
In the event of an emergency or disaster as defined herein affecting the city of Sequim, the following policy is hereby established to provide for continuity of city government:
A. City Council. In the event the emergency or disaster results in one or more council members being unavailable after a reasonable attempt at notice to convene by the mayor, city manager, or director of emergency management, those council members available for duty will constitute the city council, and will have full power to act by majority vote of those present for the purpose of meeting the temporary, immediate, and emergency needs brought on by the emergency or disaster, including activation of the emergency operations center.
B. City Manager. In the event that the city manager is unavailable by reason of an emergency or disaster, the assistant city manager will fill the role of city manager. In the event that the assistant city manager is unavailable by reason of an emergency or disaster, the city council will by majority vote of those present select an emergency interim city manager to exercise and discharge the duties of that office.
C. Director of Emergency Management. In the event that the director of emergency management is unavailable by reason of emergency or disaster, the public works director will serve as director of emergency management.
D. Department Heads. Each city department must, by adoption of internal procedures, identify their successors in the event that the department head is unavailable for duty by reason of an emergency or disaster.
E. Meetings at Other Than Usual Places. In the event it becomes imprudent, inexpedient, or impossible to conduct the affairs of the city of Sequim at the regular or usual place or places, the city council may meet in any temporary place within or without the territorial limits of the city on the call of the mayor or any two council members. After the relocation, the affairs of the city may be lawfully conducted at the emergency temporary location or locations for the duration of the emergency or disaster. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)
2.60.080 Emergency management committee.
A. There is created the emergency management committee which will consist of the director of emergency management and such city department heads and/or their designees, and other cooperating agencies and organizations having appropriate expertise and knowledge, as deemed appropriate by the city manager.
B. The purpose of the emergency management committee is to provide overall guidance in the preparation, implementation, evaluation, and currency of the emergency management plan and program, and to ensure interagency and interjurisdictional cooperation for the maximum use of local and mutual aid resources.
C. The city of Sequim may recognize the Peninsula Regional Emergency Planning Council for the purpose of ensuring coordination with adjacent jurisdictions, and designate the appropriate representatives. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)
2.60.090 Functions and duties of the departments and employees.
The city council hereby assigns to the various departments and the officers and employees thereof the functions, duties, and powers set forth in the approved emergency management plan. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)
2.60.100 Effect of chapter on other rules and regulations.
At all times when the order and regulations made and promulgated pursuant to this chapter are in effect, they will supersede all existing ordinances, orders and regulations insofar as the latter may be inconsistent therewith. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)
2.60.110 Interpretation of chapter.
This chapter must be construed so as not to conflict with any state or federal statute or with any military rule or regulation. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)
2.60.120 Emergency management coordinator.
The city may hire a full-time, part-time, or temporary employee or employees to serve as emergency management coordinator(s) working under the supervision of the chief of police. The emergency management coordinator will assist with planning, coordinating, and implementing city emergency operations and disaster services. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A))
2.60.121 No liability in designated shelters – State assumption of liability.
To the fullest extent of RCW 38.52.180 as now enacted or hereafter amended, no liability attaches to the city or any complying agent due to injuries sustained by persons seeking refuge in designated emergency shelters, unless such action was due to willful negligence. Further, Washington State assumes liability for all damage, injuries, or death in accordance with RCW 38.52.180 as now enacted or hereafter amended. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A))
2.60.130 Emergency management appropriation.
Appropriations will be made in the city budget to cover the expense of emergency management training, writing and maintaining the emergency management plan, and administration of the emergency management plan. Such moneys are to be approved for expenditures in the same manner as expenditures as now authorized by requisition against the budget. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)
2.60.140 Violation – Penalty.
It is unlawful for any person willfully to obstruct, hinder, or delay any members of the emergency management organization in the enforcement of any rule or regulation issued pursuant to this chapter, or to do any act forbidden by any rule or regulation issued pursuant to this chapter, or to do any act forbidden by any rule or regulation issued pursuant to the authority contained in this chapter. It is likewise unlawful for any person to wear, carry, or display any emblem, insignia, or any other means of identification as a member of the emergency management organization of the city unless authority to do so has been granted to such person by the proper officials. Convictions for violation of the provisions of this chapter are punishable in accordance with RCW 38.52.150. (Ord. 2024-005 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2017-017 § 1 (Exh. A); Ord. 2009-036 § 1; Ord. 2009-021; Ord. 96-018)