Chapter 2.68
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Sections:
2.68.020 Emergency services defined.
2.68.030 Creation of emergency services organization.
2.68.040 Emergency services council – Membership.
2.68.050 Emergency services council – Powers and duties.
2.68.060 Emergency services council – Executive board.
2.68.070 Emergency services council – Quorum, officers and meetings.
2.68.080 Director of emergency services – Powers and duties.
2.68.100 Execution in counterpart.
2.68.010 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 protection of persons and property within this county in the event of a disaster, 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. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 1).
2.68.020 Emergency services defined.
“Emergency services” means the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions other than functions for which the military forces are primarily responsible, to minimize and repair injury and damage resulting from disasters caused by enemy attack, sabotage, or other hostile action, or by fire, flood, storm, earthquake or other natural causes, and to provide support for search and rescue operations for persons and property in distress. These functions include without limitation, fire fighting, police services, medical and health services, rescue, engineering, communications, radiological, chemical and other special weapons defense, evacuation of persons from stricken areas, emergency welfare services, emergency transportation, existing or properly assigned functions of plant protection, temporary restoration of public utility services and other functions related to civilian protection, together with all other activities necessary or incidental to the preparation and for carrying out of these functions. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 3).
2.68.030 Creation of emergency services organization.
There is created a local organization for emergency services to be composed of participating incorporated cities and towns of Okanogan County.
A. If a political subdivision declines to participate in such emergency services organization or declines to contribute its fair and equitable share to such organization then, in accordance with RCW 38.52.070(1) it is directed by such statute to establish its own emergency services organization and comply with Chapter 38.52 RCW in its operation.
B. The operation of such organization shall be conducted through Okanogan County administrative offices. There is created and established a special pooled fund to be administered by the treasurer of Okanogan County, which fund shall be known as the “Okanogan County department of emergency services fund” into which shall be deposited all funds received for the account of this organization and from which shall be paid all proper claims as allowed by the Okanogan County commissioners in accordance with the provision of Chapter 36.22 RCW particularly RCW 36.22.050 and any other applicable statutes.
C. The participating members shall contribute to the cost of emergency services to be provided hereunder as may be determined by the executive heads of the constituent subdivisions, i.e. the emergency services council. Contributions for normal operating expenses and administration shall be determined annually, included in the participating members’ annual budgets and to be paid no later than May 31st of each year. In the event of an emergency resulting in the necessity for the carrying out of emergency functions for the preservation and protection of lives and/or property, the cost of emergency functions above and beyond the permanent staff and facilities of the emergency services department shall be borne by the participating member or members affected by such emergency and promptly remitted to the emergency services fund; provided, that the director shall obtain approval of the executive head of the affected political subdivision at the earliest opportunity.
D. An annual budget shall be prepared by the director subject to the approval of the emergency services council for adoption by the Okanogan County commissioners.
E. Such organization may accept gifts, grants or loans of money, equipment or services from any lawful source and perform all functions authorized by law to be performed by departments of emergency services.
F. Such organization shall honor all previous agreements entered into separately by its participating members prior to the establishment of such emergency services within a reasonable time after notice thereof. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 4).
2.68.040 Emergency services council – Membership.
In accordance with RCW 38.52.070, the Okanogan County emergency services council shall consist of the board of county commissioners and the mayors of the participating incorporated cities and towns within the county. The chairman of the board of commissioners will act as chairman of the emergency services council. The director of emergency services shall be vice chairman. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 5(A))
2.68.050 Emergency services council – Powers and duties.
The emergency services council shall perform all duties imposed by statute upon executive heads of emergency services departments. It shall review and recommend for adoption emergency services and mutual aid plans and agreements and such resolutions and rules and regulations as are necessary to implement such plans and agreements. It shall do all things herein provided and/or reasonably necessary to the accomplishment of the purposes hereof. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 5(B)).
2.68.060 Emergency services council – Executive board.
There shall be an executive board of the emergency services council, consisting of a minimum of five members of the council, two commissioners and three mayors. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 5(C)).
2.68.070 Emergency services council – Quorum, officers and meetings.
The executive board of the council or a majority of the members of the council shall constitute a quorum; provided, that any meeting whereat a budget shall be adopted or a financial obligation assessed to a member hereof shall require a quorum of a majority of the members of the council. The chairman of the board of county commissioners will act as chairman of the council. The director of emergency services shall be vice chairman. The council shall meet upon call by the chairman or the director or a majority of the members of the council. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 5(D)).
2.68.080 Director of emergency services – Powers and duties.
There is created the office of the director of emergency services. Such officer shall be appointed by the emergency services council.
A. Subject to the direction of the emergency services council the director is empowered and directed:
1. To prepare an emergency services operating plan for the county conforming to the state emergency services plan and program;
2. To coordinate the effort of the emergency services organization of this county for the accomplishment of the purposes of this resolution;
3. To represent the emergency services organization of this county in all dealings with public or private agencies pertaining to emergency services and disaster;
4. To keep and maintain an inventory of all goods, supplies, and equipment of the emergency services department or in its custody including federal excess property on loan to the department, such inventory to specify the location of each item listed thereon.
B. In the event of disaster declared by the Governor of the state as provided by law, the director is 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 emergency services council;
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 participating members thereof and if required immediately, to requisition the same for public use;
3. To coordinate the services of any county or city officer or employee, to command the aid of as many citizens as he considers necessary in the execution of his duties; such persons being entitled to all privileges, benefits and immunities as are provided by state law for registered emergency services workers;
4. 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, ordinance approved by the emergency services council, or by any other lawful authority;
5. To requisition necessary personnel or material of any county or city agency. All officers and employees of this county and cities 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 subsection B of this section, charged with duties necessary to protect life and property in this jurisdiction during disaster shall constitute the emergency services organization of the county and cities. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 6).
2.68.090 Expenditures.
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 and the participating cities and towns. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 2).
2.68.100 Execution in counterpart.
This chapter may be executed by the authorized officers of any participating city or town in counterpart and when so executed shall be fully effective and binding. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 10).
2.68.110 Cancellation.
Any party thereto shall have the right to cancel this chapter by giving 30 days’ notice in writing to that effect; provided, that it shall meet and fulfill all its obligations hereunder to the date of cancellation; and provided, further, that cancellation by Okanogan County shall constitute cancellation of this chapter in its entirety and to all parties. This chapter shall continue in effect until canceled. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 8).
2.68.120 Amendments.
This chapter may be amended by a majority action of the council. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 9).
2.68.130 Severability.
If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable. (Ord. dated 12/29/80 § 7).