Chapter 2.70
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION

Sections:

2.70.010    Purpose.

2.70.020    Definitions.

2.70.030    Emergency management organization.

2.70.040    Comprehensive emergency management plan.

2.70.050    City manager – Disaster and emergency powers.

2.70.060    City manager – Duties and powers as director of emergency management.

2.70.070    National Incident Management System.

2.70.080    Emergency management coordinating committee.

2.70.090    Severability.

2.70.100    Liability.

2.70.010 Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to create an emergency management organization, which will carry out emergency management functions and provide for the preparation and implementation of emergency management plans to prevent, mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from an emergency or disaster. Further, this chapter provides for coordination of the emergency management and disaster functions between the City and other public agencies, affected private persons, corporations and organizations. (Ord. O2017-433 § 4 (Att. A))

2.70.020 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) “City” means the City of Sammamish, Washington.

(2) “Emergency” and “disaster” shall mean an event or set of circumstances which:

(a) Demands immediate action to preserve public health; protect life, property, or natural resources; or provide relief to any stricken community overtaken by such occurrences; or

(b) Has been proclaimed by the Governor as a state of emergency pursuant to RCW 43.06.010.

(3) “Emergency management” or “comprehensive 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, whether natural or manmade, and to provide support for search and rescue operations for persons and property in distress.

(4) “Emergency management organization” or “EMO” means the City’s emergency management function operating within the City manager’s department.

(5) “Emergency manager” means the individual designated by the City manager to oversee the administration and operation of the City’s emergency management organization pursuant to SMC 2.70.030(2).

(6) “Hazard vulnerability analysis” means the comprehensive examination and reporting of all potential technological or natural hazards that the City may be exposed to and/or suffer loss from. This analysis is used as a basis for developing the City’s hazard mitigation plan.

(7) “Mitigation” includes risk analysis, review and identification of technological and natural hazards, development of strategies to minimize such hazards, and development of resources and capabilities to respond effectively to risks not controlled through conventional methods. Mitigation strategies may be developed in conjunction with the hazard vulnerability analysis.

(8) “National Incident Management System” or “NIMS” refers to the emergency management doctrine adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in response to Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5.

(9) “Preparation” means the active planning, writing and revising of operational procedures and policies to prepare for responding to a disaster. It includes coordination with local, county, state and federal agencies to ensure cohesive working relationships and compatible emergency plans.

(10) “Recovery” includes assessment of community needs after an emergency or disaster event; prioritization of actions for relief, reconstruction or rehabilitation and coordination of agencies regarding same; documentation of costs for future reimbursement; and facilitation of disaster assistance offices in providing the community with efficient mechanisms to obtain federal, state and local assistance.

(11) “Response” includes the initiation of warnings for a potential disaster, initiation of actions necessary to effectively act during a disaster, damage assessment and evaluation, coordination of operations, logistics, planning and finance activities during a disaster, and documentation of actions taken during a disaster.

(12) “Whole community engagement” means a process to regularly engage the whole community to seek and obtain continued and coordinated stakeholder involvement and input regarding the emergency management program, including but not limited to policies, plans, ordinances, training, exercises, budget, public education, strategies and other emergency management topics. (Ord. O2017-433 § 4 (Att. A))

2.70.030 Emergency management organization.

There is hereby created, in accordance with Chapter 38.52 RCW, a local emergency management organization (“EMO”) within the City, which shall operate under the City manager’s department. The EMO shall represent only the City and operate only within the City’s incorporated limits.

(1) Purpose. The purpose of the EMO is to perform local emergency management functions in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The EMO provides a critical public safety function in partnership with community partners, creating a framework to reduce the City’s vulnerability to threats and hazards and help the community cope with disasters.

(2) Organization. The EMO shall consist of such officers and employees of the City as specified in the comprehensive emergency management plan promulgated under this chapter. The EMO shall be headed by the City manager, who shall be directly responsible for the organization, administration, and operation of the EMO as director of emergency management for the City. The City manager may elect to appoint an emergency manager to assist with the day-to-day administration and operation of the EMO. (Ord. O2017-433 § 4 (Att. A))

2.70.040 Comprehensive emergency management plan.

A comprehensive emergency management plan (CEMP) shall be prepared for the City by, or under the direction of, the emergency management director. The plan shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 118-30 WAC, as they now exist or may hereafter be amended, and shall comply with any other administrative rules and regulations of the state of Washington promulgated under authority of Chapter 38.52 RCW governing emergency management of subdivisions of the state. (Ord. O2017-433 § 4 (Att. A))

2.70.050 City manager – Disaster and emergency powers.

(1) In the event of an emergency or disaster, the City manager is authorized:

(a) To make and issue emergency rules, regulations and orders on matters reasonably related to the protection of life, property and natural resources affected by such emergency or disaster; provided, that such rules, regulations and orders must be confirmed at the by the City council at the next regular meeting thereof;

(b) To issue a proclamation of local emergency and transmit such proclamation to federal, state, regional and local agencies. Upon issuance of a proclamation pursuant to this subsection, the EMO may take necessary measures to combat a disaster; protect persons, property and natural resources; provide emergency assistance to victims of the disaster; and exercise all other powers authorized by RCW 38.52.070, without regard to time-consuming procedures and formalities (excepting mandatory constitutional requirements). Such a proclamation must be approved by the City council at the next regular meeting thereof;

(c) To control and direct the efforts of the EMO;

(d) To requisition necessary personnel or material of any City department or agency;

(e) To require the emergency services of any City officer or employee and, in the event of a proclamation of emergency in the City or of a proclamation of emergency or disaster by the county executive or the state’s Governor affecting the City, to command the service and equipment of as many citizens of the City as may be deemed necessary in light of the emergency or disaster proclaimed;

(f) To execute all of the special powers conferred by any other county, state or federal statute or rule, or by any agreement or other lawful authority; and

(g) To establish and maintain continuity of government by ensuring proper provisions for succession of authority are included in the City’s CEMP.

(h) The City manager shall have the power to sign, on behalf of the City, mutual aid agreements with other municipalities, the county and other governmental subdivisions, which have been approved by the City council. (Ord. O2017-433 § 4 (Att. A))

2.70.060 City manager – Duties and powers as director of emergency management.

In addition to the emergency powers set forth in SMC 2.70.050, the City manager, as director of emergency management, shall have the duties and powers described below.

(1) Duties. It shall be the duty of the director of emergency management, or his or her designee, to:

(a) Prepare and submit all plans, annexes, attachments, program papers, progress reports, and other documents required by Chapter 118-30 WAC, as amended, or any other administrative rules and regulations of the state of Washington promulgated under the authority of Chapter 38.52 RCW governing emergency management plans of subdivisions of the state;

(b) Review and update such documents within the time frames prescribed by Chapter 38.52 RCW and Chapter 118-30 WAC;

(c) Represent the City in all interjurisdictional matters relating to emergency management;

(d) Conduct such emergency operations exercises as may be required by law;

(e) Conduct periodic inspections of the City’s emergency facilities and systems, including but not limited to an emergency operations center and communication system, to determine their state of readiness;

(f) Monitor the City’s compliance with the requirements of relevant state laws and regulations related to emergency management;

(g) Prepare and implement the mandates of the National Incident Management System; and

(h) Facilitate coordination with the City’s emergency management coordinating committee.

(2) Powers. In the event of an emergency or disaster, the emergency management director, or his or her designee, is authorized:

(a) To direct coordination and cooperation between departments and employees of the City, and to resolve questions of authority and responsibility;

(b) To activate the City’s emergency operations center, as needed for coordination; and

(c) To execute all of the special powers conferred upon the director of emergency management by any local, state or federal statute or rule, or by any agreement or other lawful authority. (Ord. O2017-433 § 4 (Att. A))

2.70.070 National Incident Management System.

The National Incident Management System (NIMS) promulgated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency is established as the standard for incident management within the City. (Ord. O2017-433 § 4 (Att. A))

2.70.080 Emergency management coordinating committee.

(1) To facilitate whole community engagement in the City’s emergency management planning, there is hereby created an emergency management coordinating committee for the City of Sammamish, which shall, to the extent possible, consist of the following:

(a) The City’s emergency manager, who shall act as chair;

(b) The City manager, or his or her designee;

(c) The public works director, or his or her designee;

(d) The community development director, or his or her designee;

(e) The City police chief, or his or her designee;

(f) The chief of Eastside Fire and Rescue, or his or her designee;

(g) A representative of each school district located within the City;

(h) A representative of each utility that serves citizens of Sammamish;

(i) A representative of the Sammamish citizen corps council.

(2) As appropriate, the City manager may appoint additional members to the emergency management coordinating committee from City staff, faith-based organizations, neighboring jurisdictions, human services organizations, neighborhood associations, major local employers, or small business representatives, based upon such member’s knowledge, experience, resources or capabilities in the area of emergency management.

(3) The emergency management coordinating committee shall meet at a frequency established by the committee, but at a minimum biannually. The committee shall choose a vice-chair to act in the absence of the emergency manager.

(4) It shall be the duty of the emergency management coordinating committee to review and advise the City manager and City council on the City’s emergency management programs, mutual aid agreements, ordinances, resolutions, contracts and rules and regulations as are necessary to implement such plans and agreements. The committee shall report to the City council annually on the “state of emergency management” in the City, and more frequently if an emergency or disaster event warrants such a report. (Ord. O2017-433 § 4 (Att. A))

2.70.090 Severability.

If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. (Ord. O2017-433 § 4 (Att. A))

2.70.100 Liability.

Liability for actions or services rendered in accordance with this chapter shall be as set forth in RCW 38.52.180. (Ord. O2017-433 § 4 (Att. A))