Chapter 2.28
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Sections:
2.28.015 Adoption of comprehensive emergency plan.
2.28.030 Emergency management board.
2.28.040 Director of emergency services – Appointment.
2.28.050 Director of emergency services – Duties.
2.28.060 Operational organization.
2.28.070 Administration and logistics.
2.28.080 Direction and control – I.C.S.
2.28.090 Liability for injuries.
2.28.100 Penalty for violation.
2.28.010 Authority.
The city of Yelm’s emergency operations plan is developed under the authority of the following local, state, and federal statutes and regulations:
A. Revised Code of Washington 38.52.070, 35.33.081 and 35.33.101.
B. Chapter 118-30 WAC and WAC 296-62-3112.
C. U.S. Codes 5121-5202, Disaster Relief Act of 1974, as amended; 2251-2303, Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, as amended; and 2301-2303, Improved Civil Defense 1980.
D. Title III, Superfund Amendment and Re-authorization Act of 1986. (Ord. 836 § 2, 2005).
2.28.015 Adoption of comprehensive emergency plan.
The 2018 City of Yelm Comprehensive Emergency Plan, one copy of which shall be kept on file in the office of the city clerk, is hereby adopted by reference as though fully set forth herein. (Ord. 1053 § 1, 2019).
2.28.020 Mission.
It is the policy of the city of Yelm, in order to protect lives and property, and in cooperation with other elements of the community, to carry out preparedness and mitigation activities, respond to natural and manmade emergencies and disasters, and coordinate the recovery efforts for such events. (Ord. 836 § 2, 2005).
2.28.030 Emergency management board.
There is created the emergency management board which shall consist of the following members:
A. Mayor;
B. Building official;
C. Public services director;
D. Fire chief;
E. City administrator;
F. Council representative; and
G. Director of emergency services (chairman). (Ord. 1101 § 1 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 836 § 2, 2005).
2.28.040 Director of emergency services – Appointment.
The director of emergency services serves at the pleasure of the mayor.
A. The mayor shall appoint the director of emergency services.
B. The emergency services director carries out the program for emergency services and coordinates the emergency efforts during the mitigation of, preparation for, response to, and the recovery from a disaster.
C. The emergency services director shall have the authority to request the declaration of the existence of an emergency by the council of the city. In the event that it is deemed necessary to declare the existence of an emergency without delay, the director may, if the council of the city is not in session, do so, but such action shall be subject to prompt confirmation by the council at a special meeting called by the mayor. (Ord. 836 § 2, 2005).
2.28.050 Director of emergency services – Duties.
The director of emergency services’ duties and responsibilities can include, but are not limited to, the following:
A. Provide for the development and maintenance of the city’s emergency operations plan in conjunction with the city administrator.
B. Manage the emergency operations center during activation.
C. Prepare proclamation of local emergency for signature of mayor.
D. Provide for staff training, public information and education on emergency preparedness.
E. Coordinate dissemination of emergency warning information through the emergency alert system.
F. Coordinate mitigation and preparedness activities as appropriate.
G. Submit completed disaster assistance paperwork to the city administrator for submittal to appropriate state and federal agencies. (Ord. 836 § 2, 2005).
2.28.060 Operational organization.
A. The mayor declares a state of emergency in the city when necessary.
B. The city council is the legislative body of the city. It is responsible for passing ordinances, including emergency ordinances, resolutions, and laws governing the city.
C. The city administrator shall direct and control the emergency disaster activities of the city during each phase of the disaster.
D. The day-to-day organization structure of Yelm city departments will be maintained as much as practical for emergency and disaster situations. Other public and private organizations, school districts, and volunteer organizations may under mutual agreement operate in coordination with the city of Yelm’s emergency disaster plan.
E. The emergency services director carries out the program for emergency services and coordinates the emergency efforts during mitigation of, preparation for, response to, and the recovery from a disaster. (Ord. 836 § 2, 2005).
2.28.070 Administration and logistics.
It is the policy of the city of Yelm that each city department will assign personnel to be responsible for documentation of disaster costs and to utilize effective administrative methods to keep accurate detailed records distinguishing disaster operational expenditures from day-to-day expenditures.
The city of Yelm, in coordination with the Thurston County Emergency Center, will be required by both state and federal agencies to submit reports on disaster situation with information concerning nature, magnitude and impact for use in evaluating and providing appropriate response resources and services.
The emergency services director, following a declaration of emergency by the mayor and governor, has authority to commandeer the services and equipment of citizens as necessary to respond to the disaster. Those citizens are entitled to all privileges, benefits and immunities provided for emergency workers under state and federal emergency management regulations, RCW 38.52.110. (Ord. 836 § 2, 2005).
2.28.080 Direction and control – I.C.S.
The city of Yelm has adopted and operates under the Incident Command System (I.C.S.) with support and adherence to the National Incident Management System (N.I.M.S.) in an event that encompasses multiple agencies. These systems provide for the interoperability and compatibility among all responders.
The direction and control of emergency management activities rests with the emergency management director acting through the city administrator and mayor. Overall control during disaster response operations will be divided into three levels:
A. City administrator: Deals primarily with policy issues brought about by the disaster.
B. Emergency services director: Coordinates activities of the emergency operations center, coordinates disaster resources and monitors the disaster situation.
C. Emergency services director – Field operations: Operate in field locations or command posts. Direct and coordinate disaster field operations.
Overall direction, control and coordination will normally be conducted through the emergency operations center in order to support the overall community response to the disaster and to best coordinate efforts with county, state and federal agencies. (Ord. 836 § 2, 2005).
2.28.090 Liability for injuries.
This chapter is an exercise by the city of its governmental functions for the protection of the public peace, health and safety, and neither the city, the agents and representatives of the city, or any individual, receiver, firm, partnership, corporation, association or trustee, or any of the agents thereof, in good faith carrying out, complying with or attempting to comply with any order, rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be liable for any damage sustained to person or property as the result of said activity. 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 the 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 disaster, or their successors in interest, or the agents or employees of an of them, shall be subject to liability for injuries sustained by an person while in or upon said building or premises as a result of the condition of said building or premises or as a result of any act or omission in connection with the upkeep or maintenance thereof (expect willful act or misconduct), when such person has entered or gone into or upon said building or premises for the purpose of seeking refuge therein during a disaster. (Ord. 836 § 2, 2005).
2.28.100 Penalty for violation.
It is unlawful for any person willfully to obstruct, hinder or delay any members of the emergency management operation in the enforcement of any rule or regulation issued pursuant to this chapter, or to do any act forbidden by any rule or regulation issued pursuant to the authority contained in this chapter. It is likewise unlawful for any person to wear, carry or display any emblem, insignia, or any other means of identification as a member of the emergency operations unit of the city unless authority to do so has been granted to such persons by the emergency operations board. Convictions for violations of these sections shall be a misdemeanor and receive a fine of $250.00. (Ord. 836 § 2, 2005).