Chapter 2.80
EMERGENCY SERVICES*
Sections:
2.80.030 Emergency services council--Membership.
2.80.040 Emergency services council--Powers and duties--Meetings.
2.80.050 Director of emergency services--Office created--Appointment.
2.80.060 Director of emergency services--Powers and duties--Regular.
2.80.070 Director of emergency services--Powers and duties--Disaster.
2.80.080 Emergency services organization--Composition.
2.80.090 Emergency services organization--Distribution of functions and duties.
2.80.100 Violations designated.
* For statutory provisions authorizing local authorities to establish an organization for emergency services, see RCW 38.52.070; for provisions authorizing a code city to establish an emergency services department, see RCW 35A.38.010. For further provisions on the emergency services fund, see Ch. 3.08 of this code; for further provisions regarding the director of emergency services, see Ch. 2.36 of this code. Editor’s Note: In this chapter, "civil defense" has been editorially changed to "emergency services."
2.80.010 Purpose.
The declared purpose of this chapter is to provide for the preparation and carrying out of plans, including mock practice drills, for emergency services to persons and property within the city in the event of a disaster, and to provide for the coordination of the emergency services and private persons, corporations and organizations. Any expenditures made in connection with such emergency services and disaster 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 city. (Ord. 422 §1, 1960).
2.80.020 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
A. "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 does not include, nor does any provision of this chapter apply to, any condition relating to a labor controversy.
B. "Disaster" means actual or threatened enemy attack or sabotage; extraordinary fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot or earthquake; or other similar public calamity. (Ord. 422 §2, 1960).
2.80.030 Emergency services council--Membership.
The Elma emergency services council is hereby created and shall consist of the following:
A. The mayor, who shall be chairman;
B. The director of emergency services, who shall be vice-chairman; and
C. Such city officials and other citizens of this city as may be appointed by the mayor with the advice of the city council. (Ord. 422 §3, 1960).
2.80.040 Emergency services council--Powers and duties--Meetings.
It shall be the duty of the emergency services council, and it is hereby so empowered, to review and recommend for adoption emergency services and mutual aid plans and agreements and the resolutions, rules and regulations necessary to implement such plans and agreements and such resolutions. The emergency services council shall meet upon call of the chairman or, in his absence or inability to call such meeting, upon the call of the vice-chairman. (Ord. 422 §4, 1960).
2.80.050 Director of emergency services--Office created--Appointment.
There is hereby created the office of director of emergency services. Such officer shall be appointed by the mayor with the advice and consent of the emergency services council. (Ord. 422 §5(part), 1960).
2.80.060 Director of emergency services--Powers and duties--Regular.
The director of emergency services is hereby empowered and directed to:
A. Prepare a civil defense operating plan for the city conforming to the county and state emergency services plan and program;
B. Control and direct the effort of the emergency services organization of this city for the accomplishment of the purpose of this chapter;
C. Direct coordination and cooperation among divisions, services and staff of the emergency services organization of this city and to resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise among them;
D. Represent the emergency services organization of this city in all dealings with public or private agencies pertaining to emergency services. (Ord. 422 §5(part), 1960).
2.80.070 Director of emergency services--Powers and duties--Disaster.
In the event of disaster, as provided in this chapter, the director of emergency services is hereby empowered to:
A. Make and issue rules and regulations on matters reasonably related to the protection of life and property as affected by such disasters; provided, however, such rules and regulations must be confirmed at the earliest practicable moment by the emergency services council;
B. Obtain vital supplies and equipment, and such other properties found lacking and needed for the protection of life and property of the people, and bind the city for the fair value thereof, and, if required immediately, to commandeer the same for public use;
C. Require emergency services of any city officer or employee; and, in the event of a proclamation by the Governor of the existence of a disaster, command the aid of as many citizens of this community as he considers necessary in the execution of his duty; such persons shall be entitled to all privileges, benefits and immunities provided by state law for registered emergency workers;
D. Execute all of the special powers conferred upon him by this chapter or by resolution adopted pursuant thereto, and all powers conferred upon him by statute, by agreement approved by the emergency services council, or by any other lawful authority;
E. Requisition necessary personnel or material of any city department or agency. (Ord. 422 §6, 1960).
2.80.080 Emergency services organization--Composition.
All officers and employees of the city together with those volunteer forces enrolled to aid them during disaster, and all groups, organizations and persons who may, by agreement or operation of law, including persons pressed into service under provisions of subsection C of Section 2.80.070, be charged with duties incident to the protection of life and property of this city during a disaster, shall constitute the emergency services organization of the city. (Ord. 422 §7, 1960).
2.80.090 Emergency services organization--Distribution of functions and duties.
The functions and duties of emergency services organization shall be distributed among such divisions, services and special staff as the emergency services council shall prescribe. (Ord. 422 §8, 1960).
2.80.100 Violations designated.
It shall be a misdemeanor for any person, during a disaster to:
A. Willfully obstruct, hinder or delay any member of the emergency services organization in the enforcement of any lawful rule or regulation issued pursuant to this chapter, or in the performance of any duty imposed upon him 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 nature as to give, or to 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 state Department of Emergency Services. (Ord. 422 §9, 1960).