(a) The Director shall coordinate the activities of all organizations concerned with any or all phases of emergency services which may exist within the City and shall maintain liaison and cooperate with the emergency services agencies and organizations within the State and within the State Government.
(b) The Director, in the performance of his duties, is hereby authorized to cooperate with the State Government, with other cities and counties of the State, and with private agencies in all matters pertaining to emergency services of the City and of the State.
(c) In performing his duties under this article, and to effect its policy and purpose, the Director is further authorized and empowered:
(1) To make, amend and rescind the necessary orders, rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this article within the limits of the authority conferred upon him, with due consideration of the plans of the State and Federal Governments.
(2) To prepare a comprehensive plan and program for emergency services for the City, such plan and program to be integrated into and coordinated with the plans of the State Government, and of other cities and counties within the State to the fullest extent.
(3) In accordance with such plan and program for the City, to procure supplies and equipment, to institute training programs and public information programs, and to take all other preparatory steps including the partial or full mobilization of the organization in advance of actual disaster, to insure the furnishing of adequately trained and equipped forces of emergency services personnel in time of need.
(4) To make such studies and surveys of the industries, resources and facilities in the City as may be necessary to ascertain the capabilities of the City to provide for emergency services, and to plan for the most efficient emergency use thereof.
(5) On behalf of the City, to enter into mutual aid arrangements with other cities and counties within the State, and also, with the approval of the Governor of the State, with emergency services agencies or organizations of other States, for reciprocal aid and assistance in case of disaster too great to be dealt with unassisted.
(6) To delegate any administrative authority invested in him under this article, and to provide for the subdelegation of any such authority.
(7) To cooperate with the governor and the State Office of Emergency Services and with officials and agencies of other cities and counties within the State, in matters pertaining to the emergency services of the City and State, including the direction or control of:
A. Blackouts and practice blackouts, air-raid drills, mobilization of emergency services forces and other tests and exercises;
B. Warnings and signals for drills or attacks and the electronic and mechanical services to be used in connection therewith;
C. The effective screening or extinguishing of all lights and lighting devices and appliances and of all devices emitting electronic signals of any character whatever;
D. Shutting off water mains, gas mains, electric power connections and the suspension of all other utility services;
E. The conduct of civilians and the movement and cessation of movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic, during, prior and subsequent to drills or attack;
F. Public meetings or gatherings; and
G. The evacuation and reception of the civilian population.
(1976 Code Sec. 7-5)