Chapter 2.40
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Sections:
2.40.040 Council—Powers—Duties.
2.40.050 Director—Powers—Duties.
2.40.060 Director—Additional duties.
2.40.080 Form of organization.
2.40.010 Purpose.
The declared purposes of this chapter are to provide for the preparation and carrying out of plans, including mock or practice drills, for the emergency service to persons and property within this county in the event of a disaster, be it natural or war-caused, and to provide for the coordination of the emergency services functions of this county with all other public agencies and affected private persons, corporations and organizations. Any expenditures made in connection with such emergency services activities, including mutual aid activities and mock or practice drills, shall be deemed conclusively to be for the direct protection and benefit of the inhabitants and property of the county. (Ord. 77-84 § 1)
2.40.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
“Disasters” means actual or threatened enemy attack, sabotage, extraordinary fire, flood, storm, ash fallout, epidemic, riot, earthquake or other similar public calamity.
“Emergency services” means the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than functions for which military forces are primarily responsible, to prevent, minimize and repair injury and damage resulting from disasters. It shall not include, nor does any provision of this chapter apply to any conditions relating to a labor controversy. (Ord. 77-84 § 2)
2.40.030 Council—Membership.
The emergency services council is created and shall consist of the following:
A. The board of county commissioners and the mayor of each incorporated municipality within the county. The chairman of the board of county commissioners will act as chairman of the emergency services council.
B. The director of emergency services, who shall be vice chairman. (Ord. 77-84 § 3)
2.40.040 Council—Powers—Duties.
It shall be the duty of the emergency services council, and it is empowered, to review and recommend for adoption emergency services plans and agreements, together with such rules and regulations as are necessary to implement their action. (Ord. 77-84 § 4)
2.40.050 Director—Powers—Duties.
A. There is created the office of director of emergency services. Such officer shall be appointed by the board of county commissioners.
B. The director is empowered and directed:
1. To prepare an emergency services plan for the county conforming to the state emergency services plan and program.
2. To control and direct the effort of the emergency services organization of this county for the accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter.
3. To direct coordination and cooperation between division, services and staff of the emergency services organization of this county and to resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise between them.
4. To represent the emergency services organization of this county in all dealings with public or private agencies pertaining to emergency services and disaster. (Ord. 77-84 § 5)
2.40.060 Director—Additional duties.
In the event of disaster as provided in this chapter, the director is empowered, with the concurrence of the chairman of the Adams County emergency services council:
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 emergency services council;
B. 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 and if required, to immediately commandeer the same for public use;
C. To require emergency services of any county officer or employee and in the event of a proclamation by the governor of the existence of a disaster, to command the aid of as many citizens of this community as he considers necessary in the execution of his duties; such persons shall be entitled to all privileges, benefits and immunities as are provided by state law for registered emergency services workers;
D. To execute all of the special powers conferred upon him by this chapter or by resolution adopted pursuant thereto, all powers conferred upon him by statute, agreement approved by the emergency services council, or by any other lawful authority;
E. To requisition necessary personnel or material of any county department or agency. (Ord. 77-84 § 6)
2.40.070 Composition.
All county and city officers and employees of this county, together with those volunteer forces enrolled to aid them during a disaster, and all groups, organizations and persons who may by agreement or operation of law, including persons pressed into service under the provisions of Section 2.40.060 C charged with duties incident to the protection of life and property in this county during disaster, shall constitute the emergency services organization of the county. (Ord. 77-84 § 7)
2.40.080 Form of organization.
A. The functions and duties of the Adams County emergency services organization shall be distributed among such divisions, services and special staff as the emergency services council shall prescribe.
B. The emergency services council shall concurrently with the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, prescribe the form of organization, establishment and designation of divisions and services, the assignment of functions, duties and powers, the designation of officers and employees. Insofar as possible, the form of organization, titles and terminology shall conform to the recommendations of the federal government and the Department of Emergency Services of the state. (Ord. 77-84 § 8)
2.40.090 Violation—Penalty.
It is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars or by imprisonment not to exceed three months, or both, for any person during a disaster:
A. To wilfully obstruct, hinder or delay any member of the emergency services organization in the enforcement of any lawful rule or regulations issued pursuant to this chapter, or in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by virtue of this chapter.
B. To 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 county, or to prevent, hinder or delay the defense or protection thereof.
C. To wear, carry or display, without authority, any means of identification specified by the Department of Emergency Services of the state. (Ord. 77-84 § 9)