Division 2. Civil Defense Organization

An Office of Emergency Management within the executive body of the County government. There shall be an Executive Head of the Office of Emergency Management, known as the Director of Emergency Management, and such assistants and other persons as are deemed necessary to the proper function of the Organization.

The members of the Emergency Management Council.

The employees, equipment and facilities of all County departments, boards, institutions and commissions suitable for, or adaptable to, emergency management and designated by the County Executive to participate in the emergency management activity. Duties assigned to a County department shall be analogous to the normal duties of the department.

Volunteer persons and agencies offering service to the Organization.

In accordance with the plan and program for emergency management for the County, to procure or cause to be procured supplies and equipment, to institute or cause to be instituted training programs and public information programs, drills, tabletops, functional and full scale exercises, and to take or cause to be taken all other preparatory steps, including the partial or full mobilization of emergency management organizations in advance of actual war, disaster or emergency to insure the furnishing of adequately trained and equipped forces of emergency management personnel in time of need.

To make or cause to be made, such studies and surveys of the industries, resources and facilities in this County and surrounding political subdivisions as may be necessary to ascertain the capabilities of the County for emergency management and to plan for the most efficient emergency use thereof.

To coordinate the recruitment of volunteer personnel and agencies to augment the personnel and facilities of the County for emergency management purposes.

To conduct public practice alerts to insure the efficient operation of the Emergency Management Organization and to familiarize the citizens with emergency management regulations and procedures. The Director shall notify the County Council in writing prior to any such practice alerts and embody therein the regulations and procedures pertaining thereto.

To coordinate the activity of all public and private agencies comprising the Emergency Management Organization, including coordination of planning and purchasing of emergency management equipment and supplies for the County.

To negotiate with owners or persons in control of buildings or other property for the use of such buildings for emergency management purposes and designating suitable buildings as public shelters.

To assume such authority and conduct such activity as the County Executive may direct to promote and execute the emergency management plan.

The Director shall forward to the County Council, the written reports which are provided to the applicable State agencies relating to the progress of the emergency management program and of the regulations and procedures adopted for the protection of the public.

To make, amend, and rescind the necessary orders, rules, and regulations within the limits of the authority conferred upon the Director, and with due consideration to the plans of the State and the Federal government, as well as plans of other political subdivisions for emergency management.

Upon the declaration by the County Executive, or by the County Council of a state of emergency or the termination thereof, to issue all necessary proclamations as to the existence thereof, and the immediate operational effectiveness of the emergency management plan.