Chapter 9.28
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT*
Sections:
9.28.030 Department of Emergency Management—Creation and authority.
9.28.040 Emergency Management Advisory Board.
9.28.050 Director of Emergency Management—Powers and duties.
9.28.060 Director of Emergency Management—Additional powers.
9.28.070 Emergency Management Organization.
9.28.080 Divisions, services and staff of the Emergency Management Organization.
* Prior legislation: Ord. O20160003.
9.28.010 Purposes.
The declared purposes of this Chapter as provided in RCW Chapter 38.52 are to provide for the establishment of the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management for the preparation and execution of plans for emergency management services, for the emergency preparedness of persons and property within this County in the event of a disaster, and to provide for the coordination of emergency management services and disaster-related functions of this County with all other public agencies and affected private persons, corporations and organizations. Any expenditures made in connection with such emergency management services and disaster-related activities, including mutual aid activities, and any mock or practice drills, shall be deemed conclusively to be for the direct protection and benefit of the inhabitants and property of the County of Skagit. (Ord. O20180001 (Exh. 1))
9.28.020 Definitions.
(1) Emergency Management. As used in this Chapter, the term “emergency management” or “emergency management services” shall mean the preparation for and the execution of all emergency management functions, other than functions for which military forces are primarily responsible as defined in RCW 38.52.010, all in accordance with the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
(2) Disasters. As used in this Chapter, the term “disaster” shall mean extraordinary fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, earthquake, actual or threatened physical or electronic attack, sabotage, emergency, or other similar public calamity, as declared by the Skagit County Board of Commissioners. A “local disaster” is any event which exceeds the capabilities and resources of local government affected by such calamity.
(3) Coordination. As used in this Chapter, the term “coordination” shall mean the combining of such public and private resources as are available to assist in:
(a) Definition of risks;
(b) Cataloging of resources (public and private);
(c) Formation of disaster plans for emergency management services;
(d) Provision of emergency management services during disasters.
(4) Director of Emergency Management. As used in this Chapter, the term “Director of Emergency Management” or “Director” shall mean the Director of the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management, acting under the supervision of the Skagit County Administrator. (Ord. O20180001 (Exh. 1))
9.28.030 Department of Emergency Management—Creation and authority.
(1) The Skagit County Department of Emergency Management (“Department” or “DEM”) is hereby established. The administration of the Department is the responsibility of the Director, under the supervision of the County Administrator.
(2) Subject to approval by the Skagit County Board of Commissioners, the Department shall implement policies and procedures and administer programs which provide for the preparation and carrying out of plans for emergency management services in the event of an emergency or disaster, and for the coordination of the emergency management services of this County with other public agencies and affected private persons, corporations, and organizations.
(3) The Department’s functions and responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Management and administration of the emergency management program as provided in this Chapter; and
(b) Preparation and presentation to the Skagit County Board of Commissioners for approval of a County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, consistent with the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan; and
(c) Preparation and presentation to the Skagit County Board of Commissioners for approval of a County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, consistent with natural hazard mitigation planning requirements; and
(d) Coordination of County emergency management services with other public agencies and affected private persons, corporations, and organizations, subject to the authority of the Skagit County Board of Commissioners; and
(e) Performance of such other duties as may be required to further the purposes of this Chapter. (Ord. O20180001 (Exh. 1))
9.28.040 Emergency Management Advisory Board.
(1) The Skagit County Emergency Management Advisory Board (“EMAB”) is hereby established for the purpose of advising the Director, the Skagit County Administrator, and the Skagit County Board of Commissioners on matters concerning the coordination of emergency services and disaster-related functions of public agencies, affected private persons, corporations, and organizations. The EMAB shall consist of a total of up to 16 voting members as follows:
(a) One member from each of the eight cities and towns in Skagit County that contract with the County through an interlocal agreement for emergency management services; and
(b) The Skagit County Sheriff, or his/her representative (on behalf of Skagit County Search and Rescue); and
(c) The Skagit County Public Health Director, or her/his representative (on behalf of Public Health Emergency Preparedness); and
(d) One member from Skagit 911; and
(e) One member collectively representing all of the commissioners of each and every fire protection district located in Skagit County; and
(f) One member collectively representing all rural fire chiefs located in Skagit County, as designated by the Skagit County Fire Chiefs Association; and
(g) Three members collectively representing each and every dike district (including dike, drainage and irrigation improvement districts) located in Skagit County; and
(h) Additionally, the Director will participate as an ex officio representative to the EMAB, serving as the Chair of the EMAB, and as a liaison between the County and the members of the EMAB, but the Director will not be a voting member of the EMAB.
(2) The EMAB shall meet at regular intervals to be determined by the Skagit County Board of Commissioners, and at such times as requested by the Director. The EMAB members shall be appointed by resolution of the Skagit County Board of Commissioners. The EMAB shall provide recommendations to the County solely in an advisory capacity, and in any instance the Skagit County Board of Commissioners may accept, reject, and/or modify any and all advisory recommendations provided by the EMAB. (Ord. O20180001 (Exh. 1))
9.28.050 Director of Emergency Management—Powers and duties.
There is hereby created the office of Director of Emergency Management. Such officer shall be the Director of the Skagit County Department of Emergency Management, acting under the supervision of the Skagit County Administrator. The Director shall serve at the pleasure of the Skagit County Board of Commissioners. The Director is hereby empowered and directed:
(1) To prepare a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan for the County consistent with the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, as well as a County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, consistent with natural hazard mitigation planning requirements, both subject to approval by the Skagit County Board of Commissioners; and
(2) To manage the effort of the Emergency Management Organization of this County for the accomplishment of the purposes of this Chapter; and
(3) To direct coordination and cooperation between divisions, services and staff of the Emergency Management Organization of this County, and to resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise between them; and
(4) To represent the Emergency Management Organization of this County in all dealings with public or private agencies pertaining to emergency management services; and
(5) The Director shall manage and administer the activities of the Department, and shall advise the County Administrator and the Skagit County Board of Commissioners with regard to programs managed by the Department. Subject to the approval of the Skagit County Board of Commissioners, the Director may establish policies and procedures for the management and administration of emergency management services. The Director shall prepare and submit to the executive annual budget estimates for the Department. (Ord. O20180001 (Exh. 1))
9.28.060 Director of Emergency Management—Additional powers.
In the event of a disaster as herein provided, the Director is hereby empowered:
(1) 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 Skagit County Board of Commissioners.
(2) 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 bind the County for the fair value thereof.
(3) To request emergency management services of any County officer or employee, and, in the event of a proclamation by the Skagit County Board of Commissioners of the existence of a disaster, to secure the aid of as many volunteers as he/she considers necessary in the execution of his/her duties; provided, that such persons shall be entitled to all privileges, benefits and immunities as are provided by State law for registered emergency management services workers.
(4) To execute all of the special powers conferred upon him/her by this Chapter or by resolution of the Skagit County Board of Commissioners adopted pursuant thereto, and all powers conferred upon him/her by statute, agreement approved by the Skagit County Board of Commissioners, or by any other lawful authority.
(5) To requisition necessary personnel or material of any County department or agency. (Ord. O20180001 (Exh. 1))
9.28.070 Emergency Management Organization.
All County, city, and town officers and employees within the County of Skagit, together with those volunteer forces enrolled to aid them during a disaster, and all groups, organizations and persons who may by duly executed interlocal cooperative agreement and/or operation of law, including persons secured under the provisions of SCC 9.28.060(3), be charged with duties incident to the protection of life and property in this County during disaster, shall constitute the Emergency Management Organization of the County of Skagit (“Skagit County Emergency Management Organization”). (Ord. O20180001 (Exh. 1))
9.28.080 Divisions, services and staff of the Emergency Management Organization.
The functions and duties of the Skagit County Emergency Management Organization shall be distributed among such County departments, divisions, services, and staff as the Skagit County Board of Commissioners shall prescribe.
Insofar as possible, the form of the Skagit County Emergency Management Organization, titles and terminology shall conform to the recommendations of the Federal Government and the Emergency Management Division of the Washington State Military Department. (Ord. O20180001 (Exh. 1))