Chapter 2.62
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Sections:
2.62.010 Joint local organization.
2.62.020 Emergency management council.
2.62.030 Emergency services department.
2.62.040 Director of emergency services department.
2.62.050 Emergency management fund.
2.62.060 Emergency management budget.
2.62.070 Conditions and declarations.
2.62.080 Local hazardous chemical emergency response planning committee.
2.62.010 Joint local organization.
Upon adoption of an essentially identical ordinance by the board of county commissioners for San Juan County, and upon authorization by the State Director, as defined in RCW 38.52.010(9), a joint local organization for emergency management services shall exist, to consist of a management council and an operational department. (Ord. 1097 § 1, 1998)
2.62.020 Emergency management council.
The mayor of Friday Harbor and the chairperson of the board of county commissioners shall constitute the San Juan County-Town of Friday Harbor emergency management council (hereinafter “the council”). The council shall be responsible for supervising and controlling the director of the emergency services department created hereunder. The members of the council shall meet not less than one time each year, on a date agreed to by the members. (Ord. 1097 § 2, 1998)
2.62.030 Emergency services department.
Emergency management services for San Juan County and the town of Friday Harbor shall be provided by the San Juan County-Town of Friday Harbor emergency services department (hereinafter “department”). All employees of the department shall be employees of San Juan County, which shall exercise such legislative authority as may be needed for that purpose. (Ord. 1097 § 3, 1998)
2.62.040 Director of emergency services department.
A. A director of the emergency services department shall be appointed by and responsible to the council. He or she shall have direct responsibility for the organization, administration and operation of the department. The director shall, among other things:
1. Prepare a comprehensive emergency operations plan and program in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 118-07 WAC;
2. Submit a periodic program paper to the State Director in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 118-08 WAC;
3. Seek emergency management assistance funds from the State Director in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 118-09 WAC;
4. Manage the emergency services department for the county and town; and
5. Represent the emergency services department in all dealings with the public and all public and private agencies.
B. In the event a disaster is declared under FHMC 2.62.070, the director or his or her designee is empowered to:
1. Make and issue rules and regulations reasonably related to the protection of life and property as affected by such disaster; provided, that the rules and regulations must be confirmed by the emergency maintenance council at the earliest practical time;
2. Obtain vital supplies, equipment and other such properties needed for the protection of life and property, and to bind the county for fair value thereof;
3. Request emergency service of any county or town officer or employee, and to secure the aid of volunteers as needed; and
4. Requisition necessary personnel or material of any county or town department or agency. (Ord. 1097 § 4, 1998)
2.62.050 Emergency management fund.
A special pool of funds, to be administered through the San Juan County treasurer, is hereby established, to be known as the San Juan County-Friday Harbor emergency management fund. All funds budgeted by the county and the town for operation of the department shall be deposited in said fund and from it shall be paid all expenses of the department, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 36.22 RCW. (Ord. 1097 § 5, 1998)
2.62.060 Emergency management budget.
The budget for the department shall be set by the emergency management council at its annual meeting. The county and the town shall contribute funds on a fair and equitable basis, as determined by the council, with approval from the legislative bodies of the town and the county. In the event that an equitable sharing of expenses cannot be agreed upon, the Washington State Emergency Management Council shall decide upon the division of costs, in accordance with RCW 38.52.070(1). (Ord. 1097 § 6, 1998)
2.62.070 Conditions and declarations.
Routine emergencies, such as house fires and traffic accidents, shall be handled by the appropriate agency of the town, county or other taxing district. Mutual aid agreements may authorize a cooperative response from agencies of both the town and county or some other taxing district.
When an emergency is beyond the capability of the appropriate response agencies, including those with mutual aid agreements, a formal declaration of a disaster may be declared.
A declaration of disaster shall be the responsibility of the members of the emergency management council. A county-wide disaster may be declared by both members of the council or by the chair of the board of county commissioners alone. If the mayor joins in the declaration, or subsequently ratifies the declaration, it shall be effective within the town of Friday Harbor. A disaster which is confined within the town may be declared by the mayor, with or without the agreement or participation of the chair of the board of county commissioners. Before making a declaration, the chair of the board of county commissioners shall make a good faith effort to contact the remainder of the board of county commissioners for discussion.
In the event the chair is not available to discuss with the mayor the need for a declaration, the mayor shall make a good faith effort to contact both of the other commissioners, who, if contacted, shall designate one of themselves to be the acting member of the council until the chair is contacted. If the mayor is able to contact only one other commissioner, that commissioner shall be the acting member. In the event the mayor can not contact any member of the board of county commissioners, the mayor may declare a county-wide emergency.
In the event that neither the mayor nor any of the county commissioners is available, the director of emergency services may declare a disaster, subject to after-the-fact approval of the emergency management council. (Ord. 1097 § 7, 1998)
2.62.080 Local hazardous chemical emergency response planning committee.
A committee, to be known as the local emergency planning committee (hereinafter “the committee”), is hereby created for the purpose of providing local planning for hazardous materials emergency response, in accordance with Chapter 118-40 WAC, and planning for other emergencies or disasters. The director of the emergency services department shall serve as the chair of the committee. The committee shall be composed of individuals appointed by the emergency management council. The committee shall include a representative of each of the following groups, in accordance with WAC 118-40-160:
A. Town of Friday Harbor;
B. San Juan County;
C. San Juan County sheriff;
D. Department of emergency services;
E. Fire departments, town and district;
F. Public hospital district;
G. Emergency medical services;
H. Health department;
I. Local environmental groups;
J. Local newspapers;
K. Community groups;
L. Local businesses;
and in addition shall include:
A. Lopez member-at-large;
B. Orcas member-at-large;
C. San Juan member-at-large;
D. County public works;
E. Telephone utility;
F. Opalco;
G. Transportation. (Ord. 1097 § 8, 1998)