Chapter 2.50
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Sections:

2.50.010    Established.

2.50.020    Definitions.

2.50.030    Director – Appointment – Responsibility.

2.50.040    Functions.

2.50.050    Powers.

2.50.060    Purchases and expenditures.

2.50.070    Search and rescue operations.

2.50.080    Regional disaster plan adopted.

2.50.010 Established.

Pursuant to Chapter 38.52 RCW, there is hereby created in the City the department of emergency management for the purpose of performing local emergency management functions. (Ord. 85-98 § 1)

2.50.020 Definitions.

When used in this chapter, the following words have the following meanings. Words used in the plural shall include the singular, and words used in the singular shall include the plural. Words used in the masculine gender shall include the feminine.

(1) “City” means the City of Covington, King County, Washington.

(2) “Director” means the director of the City’s department of emergency management.

(3) “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, technological, or human caused, and to provide support for search and rescue operations for persons and property in distress. “Emergency management” does not mean preparation for emergency evacuation or relocation of residents in anticipation of nuclear attack.

(4) “Emergency” or “disaster” means an event or set of circumstances which demands immediate action to preserve public health, protect life, protect public property, or to provide relief to any stricken community overtaken by such occurrences.

(5) “Search and rescue” means the acts of searching for, rescuing, or recovering by means of ground, marine, or air activity any person who becomes lost, injured, or is killed while outdoors or as a result of a natural, technological, or human caused disaster, including instances involving searches for downed aircraft when ground personnel are used. (Ord. 85-98 § 1)

2.50.030 Director – Appointment – Responsibility.

(1) The director of the department of emergency management shall be appointed by and directly responsible to the City manager and shall serve until removed by the City manager.

(2) The director shall have direct responsibility for the organization, administration, and operation of the department of emergency management, subject to the direction and control of the City manager.

(3) In the event of the director’s absence, resignation, death or inability to serve, the City manager shall appoint another person to serve as director.

(4) The director shall prepare and maintain a local emergency management plan and program in accordance with the State of Washington comprehensive emergency management plan and program. Before the local plan shall become effective, it shall be approved by the City Council and certified for consistency with the State plan by the State Adjutant General as directed in RCW 38.52.070(1). (Ord. 85-98 § 1)

2.50.040 Functions.

It shall be the duty of the department of emergency management to perform all local emergency management functions, within the City and outside the territorial limits of the City as may be required by Chapter 38.52 RCW. (Ord. 85-98 § 1)

2.50.050 Powers.

The department of emergency management, the director and the City manager shall have all powers granted under Chapter 38.52 RCW, as now or hereafter amended and as may otherwise be provided by law. (Ord. 85-98 § 1)

2.50.060 Purchases and expenditures.

The City Council shall have the power to make appropriations in the manner provided by law for making appropriations for the ordinary expenses of the City for the payment of the department of emergency management’s expenses. (Ord. 85-98 § 1)

2.50.070 Search and rescue operations.

The police chief shall be responsible for local search and rescue activities. Operation of search and rescue operations shall be in accordance with State and local operations plans adopted by the City Council. The director shall notify the State military department of all search and rescue missions. The police chief may restrict access to a specific search and rescue area to personnel authorized by him. Access shall be so restricted only for the period of time necessary to accomplish the search and rescue mission. (Ord. 85-98 § 1)

2.50.080 Regional disaster plan adopted.

(1) The Regional Disaster Plan for Public and Private Organizations in King County, May 1, 2001, version is hereby adopted.

(2) The City manager is hereby authorized to affix his signature to the signatory documentation sheet for the Regional Disaster Plan for Public and Private Organizations in King County. (Ord. 07-02 §§ 1, 2)