(A) The purpose of this section is to create a Civil Defense Organization for the town to be prepared for, and to function in the event of, emergencies endangering the lives and property of the people of the town. The duty of the Civil Defense Organization shall be to plan for protection of the lives and health of the citizens of Clayton and of property and property rights, both private and public, and all functions necessary and incident thereto.
(B) There is hereby established under the executive branch of the government of the Town of Clayton, a Department of Civil Defense, which shall consist of a Director of Civil Defense who shall be appointed by the Mayor of the town with the concurrence of the Board of Trustees and subject to approval of the Director, New Mexico Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization in accordance with § 6, Chapter 190, New Mexico Laws of 1959, as amended.
(C) The Director of Civil Defense shall be the executive head of the Department of Civil Defense and shall be responsible for carrying out the Civil Defense Program of the town. He or she may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of his or her duties. It shall be the duty of the Director of Civil Defense as soon as practicable after his or her appointment to establish an organization to carry out the purpose set forth in this section, and he or she shall have all necessary power and authority to form committees or other bodies and to appoint and designate the Chairperson or Chief Officer of the bodies as may be necessary to establish an organization. He or she shall have the further duty and responsibility to cooperate with all Civil Defense agencies or other governmental units including the State of New Mexico and the federal government.
(D) The Director of Civil Defense is further authorized to formulate written plans and gather information and keep written record thereof to govern the functions of the Civil Defense Organization.
(E) In the event of an enemy-caused emergency or emergency resulting from natural causes, the Mayor of the Town of Clayton shall cause to be activated an Emergency Operation Center complete with the necessary communications capability for the continued performance of local government. This Emergency Operation Center shall operate under the direction of the Mayor in carrying out his or her duties as elected Chief Executive and as specified in his or her oath of office. The Director of Civil Defense shall act as the Chief Executive Assistant to the Mayor in the execution of these duties or as the Mayor shall direct.
(Ord. 464, passed 9-11-1972)