Chapter 2.75
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Sections:
2.75.020 Emergency management policy.
2.75.040 Emergency management organization.
2.75.050 Emergency operations plan.
2.75.060 Emergency or disaster powers of the Mayor or successor.
2.75.070 Emergency and disaster powers of the Emergency Management Director.
2.75.080 National Incident Management System.
2.75.090 Functions and duties of departments and employees.
2.75.100 Emergency Management Coordinating Committee.
2.75.010 Purpose.
The declared purposes of this chapter are to provide for the preparation and implementation of plans for mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery activities within the City in the event of an emergency or disaster, and to provide for the coordination of emergency functions and services of the City and other affected public agencies and private persons, corporations and organizations, in accordance with RCW 36.70A.130(2)(b) and WAC 365-196-640(4). Any expenditures made in connection with such emergency management activities, including mutual aid activities, shall be deemed conclusively to be for the direct protection and benefit of the inhabitants and property of the City. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-1010 § 1 (part): Ord. 13-1005 § 1 (part): Ord. 07-1007 § 1: Ord. 96-1021 § 1)
2.75.020 Emergency management policy.
It is the policy of the City to make effective preparation and use of staffing, resources, and facilities for dealing with any emergency or disaster that may occur. Emergencies and disasters, by their very nature, may disrupt or destroy existing systems and the capability of the City to respond to protect life, public health and property. Therefore, citizens are advised to be prepared to be without public services or utilities for up to a minimum of five (5) days should an emergency or disaster occur. (Ord. 16-1010 § 1 (part): Ord. 13-1005 § 1 (part): Ord. 07-1007 § 1: Ord. 96-1021 § 1)
2.75.030 Definitions.
A. “Emergency” or “disaster” as used in this chapter shall mean an event or set of circumstances which: (1) demands immediate action to preserve public health, protect life, protect public property, or to provide relief to any stricken area within the City overtaken by such occurrences, or (2) reaches such a dimension or degree of destructiveness as to warrant the Mayor proclaiming the existence of a disaster or the Governor declaring a state of emergency in accordance with appropriate local ordinances and State statute.
B. “Emergency management” shall mean the preparation for 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, and to aid victims suffering from injury or damage resulting from disasters caused by all hazards, whether natural or manmade, and to provide support for search and rescue operations for persons and property in distress.
C. “Emergency management organization” or “EMO” means the City’s emergency management function operating within the Public Works Department.
D. “Emergency Management Director” means the individual designated by the Public Works Director to oversee the administration and operation of the City’s emergency management organization pursuant to SMC 2.75.040.
E. “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.
F. “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.
G. “Prevention” means to avoid or stop an imminent, threatened, or actual act of terrorism.
H. “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.
I. “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.
J. “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.
K. “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. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-1010 § 1 (part): Ord. 13-1005 § 1 (part): Ord. 07-1007 § 1: Ord. 96-1021 § 1)
2.75.040 Emergency management organization.
A. There is hereby created, in accordance with Chapter 38.52 RCW, an emergency management organization. The purpose of the local organization is to perform local emergency management functions. The organization shall represent only the City of SeaTac and operate only within the City.
B. The Emergency Management Director shall have direct responsibility for the organization, administration and operation of the emergency management program for the City.
C. The Emergency Management Director shall be the Public Works Director. The Emergency Management Director shall develop and maintain the emergency operations plan and program and shall have such other duties as may be added by amendment to this chapter.
D. The Deputy Emergency Management Director shall be the Chief of Police. The Deputy Emergency Management Director shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Emergency Management Director during his/her absence or disability. In the absence of the Deputy Emergency Management Director, the position shall be filled by the Parks, Recreation and Facilities Director.
E. A Leadership Team is hereby created and chaired by the City Manager to coordinate with the ECC and the Policy Group to resolve or implement policy issues and priorities. The Team shall consist of, but not be limited to, the City Manager and department heads.
F. A Policy Group is hereby created to provide direction and policy making decisions to the Emergency Coordination Center during and after a disaster has occurred in the City of SeaTac. The Policy Group will consist of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councilmembers. The Mayor shall designate one Councilmember as the official recordation person for the group. (Ord. 16-1010 § 1 (part): Ord. 13-1005 § 1 (part): Ord. 07-1007 § 1: Ord. 96-1021 § 1)
2.75.050 Emergency operations plan.
The emergency operations plan, prepared under the direction of the Emergency Management Director, is the official emergency operations plan of the City of SeaTac. 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. The Emergency Management Director shall file a copy of said plan in the office of the City Clerk, and distribute copies of said plan to appropriate City departments. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-1010 § 1 (part): Ord. 13-1005 § 1 (part): Ord. 07-1007 § 1: Ord. 96-1021 § 1)
2.75.060 Emergency or disaster powers of the Mayor or successor.
In the event of a proclamation of a disaster as herein provided, or upon the proclamation of a state of emergency by the Governor of the State, the Mayor or successor is hereby empowered:
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 City Council;
B. To request the County Executive to proclaim a local emergency when, in the opinion of the Mayor, the resources of the area or region are inadequate to cope with the disaster;
C. To be the head of the policy group in the event of an emergency or disaster to assure policy decisions and continuity of government is addressed and maintained;
D. To require the Emergency Management Director to periodically report pertinent and requested information to the Mayor or successor and to the policy group on the status of the City during an event;
E. In order to assure continuity of government and succession authority and lines of communications, it is necessary to define the succession lines for the Mayor if he/she is not available or incapacitated during an emergency or disaster. In the event the Mayor is incapacitated or absent during an emergency or disaster, the Deputy Mayor shall assume the responsibilities of the Mayor. In the event the Deputy Mayor is incapacitated or absent during a disaster, then the Council may appoint any qualified Councilmember to serve as Mayor and he/she shall assume the responsibilities of the Mayor. This does not preclude the powers of the Emergency Management Director to proclaim an emergency or disaster in the event it is immediately needed in order to save lives and property in the City of SeaTac;
F. 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;
G. The Mayor or successor 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. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-1010 § 1 (part): Ord. 13-1005 § 1 (part): Ord. 07-1007 § 1: Ord. 96-1021 § 1)
2.75.070 Emergency and disaster powers of the Emergency Management Director.
The Emergency Management Director has the duties and is hereby empowered:
A. To request the Mayor or successor to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a disaster and the termination thereof, if a quorum of the City Council is available and functioning, or to issue such proclamation, if a quorum of the City Council is not available, subject to confirmation by the City Council at the earliest practicable time;
B. To control and direct the efforts of the emergency management organization of the City for the accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter;
C. To direct coordination and cooperation between neighboring jurisdictions, divisions, services and staff of the departments and services of the City in carrying out the provisions of the emergency management plan, and to resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise between them;
D. To act on behalf of the Mayor or successor if he/she is unable to carry out his/her duties, in carrying out purposes of this chapter or the provisions of the emergency management plan;
E. 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 to bind the City for the fair value thereof, and, if required immediately, to commandeer the same for public use;
F. To require emergency services of any City officer or employee and, in the event of the proclamation of a state of emergency by the Governor in the region in which this City is located, to command the service and equipment of as many citizens of this City as may be deemed necessary in the light of the disaster proclaimed; and such persons to be entitled to all privileges, benefits and immunities as are provided by State law for registered emergency workers;
G. To determine the incident command structure based upon the type of event or upon change of status of the event. The Emergency Management Director will strive to assign incident command to the Fire Department for natural disasters, Police Department for terrorist attacks or civil unrest, and Public Works Department for recovery efforts;
H. To requisition necessary personnel or material of any City department or agency with concurrent notification to the City Manager or designee;
I. 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;
J. Review and update such documents within the time frames prescribed by Chapter 38.52 RCW and Chapter 118-30 WAC;
K. Conduct such emergency operations exercises as may be required by law;
L. 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;
M. Monitor the City’s compliance with the requirements of relevant State laws and regulations related to emergency management;
N. Prepare and implement the mandates of the National Incident Management System; and
O. Facilitate coordination with the City’s Emergency Management Coordinating Committee. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-1010 § 1 (part): Ord. 13-1005 § 1 (part): Ord. 07-1007 § 1: Ord. 96-1021 § 1)
2.75.080 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. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C))
2.75.090 Functions and duties of departments and employees.
All City departments, and all officers and employees thereof, are hereby assigned the powers and duties set forth in the emergency operations plan referenced in SMC 2.75.050. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-1010 § 1 (part): Ord. 13-1005 § 1 (part): Ord. 07-1007 § 1: Ord. 96-1021 § 1. Formerly 2.75.080)
2.75.100 Emergency Management Coordinating Committee.
A. 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 SeaTac, which shall, to the extent possible, consist of the following:
1. The City’s Emergency Manager, who shall act as chair;
2. The City Manager, or his or her designee;
3. The Public Works Director, or his or her designee;
4. The Community and Economic Development Director, or his or her designee;
5. The City Police Chief, or his or her designee;
6. The City Fire Chief, or his or her designee;
7. A representative of each school district located within the City;
8. A representative of each utility that serves residents of SeaTac;
9. A representative of a SeaTac Citizen Advisory Committee.
B. 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.
C. 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.
D. 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. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C))
2.75.110 Private liability.
No individual, firm, association, corporation or other party owning, maintaining or controlling any building or premises, who voluntarily and without compensation grants to the City a license or privilege or otherwise permits said City to inspect, designate and use the whole or any part or parts of such building or premises for the purpose of sheltering persons during an actual, impending, mock or practice emergency or disaster, or their successors in interest, or the agents or employees of any of them, shall be subject to liability for injuries sustained by any person while in or upon said building or premises as a result of any act or omission in connection with the upkeep or maintenance thereof, except a willful act of negligence, when such a person has entered or gone into or upon said building or premises for the purpose of seeking refuge therein during an emergency or disaster or an attack by enemies of the United States or during a disaster drill, exercise or test ordered by a lawful authority. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-1010 § 1 (part): Ord. 13-1005 § 1 (part): Ord. 07-1007 § 1: Ord. 96-1021 § 1. Formerly 2.75.090)
2.75.120 Penalty.
A violation of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor and shall be punishable as such; provided, that whenever any person shall commit a second offense hereunder, the same shall constitute a gross misdemeanor and shall be punishable as such. It shall be a violation of this chapter to:
A. Willfully obstruct, hinder, or delay any member of the emergency management organization in the enforcement of any lawful rule or regulation issued pursuant to this chapter or in the performance of any duty imposed upon such member by virtue of this chapter;
B. Wear, carry or display, without authority, any means of identification specified by the Emergency Management Agency of the City. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-1010 § 1 (part): Ord. 13-1005 § 1 (part): Ord. 07-1007 § 1: Ord. 96-1021 § 1. Formerly 2.75.100)
2.75.130 Compensation Board.
A Compensation Board is hereby created for the processing of claims as provided in Chapter 38.52 RCW. The Compensation Board shall be composed of the Mayor, the City Manager or designee, one Councilmember selected by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council, the City Attorney or designee, and the local coordinator of medical and health services. The Councilmember shall serve as the chair of the Compensation Board and the City Manager shall serve as the secretary of the Board. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-1010 § 1 (part): Ord. 13-1005 § 1 (part): Ord. 07-1007 § 1: Ord. 96-1021 § 1. Formerly 2.75.110)
2.75.140 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 provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable. (Ord. 24-1022 § 5 (Exh. C); Ord. 16-1010 § 1 (part): Ord. 13-1005 § 1 (part): Ord. 07-1007 § 1: Ord. 96-1021 § 1. Formerly 2.75.120)