Sec. 14B-1. Title.
Sec. 14B-2. Intent and purpose.
Sec. 14B-3. Definitions.
Sec. 14B-4. Reserved.
Sec. 14B-5. Director of the office of management services - powers and duties.
Sec. 14B-6. Declaration of state of disaster.
Sec. 14B-7. City manager - powers and duties.
Sec. 14B-8. State-designated emergency management director and state- designated emergency management coordinator - powers and duties.
Sec. 14B-9. Powers and duties of city attorney during disaster.
Sec. 14B-10. Appointment of special municipal court judges.
Sec. 14B-11. Emergency management volunteers.
Sec. 14B-12. Governmental function.
Sec. 14B-13. Offenses; penalties.
(a) The intent and purpose of this chapter is to establish an emergency management program that will ensure the complete and efficient utilization of all of the city’s personnel, facilities, and equipment to combat a disaster as defined in this chapter.
(b) This chapter will not relieve any city department or office of the legal responsibilities or authority delegated to it by statute, ordinance, or the city charter.
(c) Nothing in this chapter may be construed to interfere with the dissemination of news or comment on public affairs, but any communications facility or organization, including radio and television stations, wire services, and newspapers, may be required to transmit or print public service messages furnishing information or instructions in connection with a disaster or potential disaster. (Ord. Nos. 15983; 17226; 25834; 27697)
In this chapter:
(1) ATTACK or ACT OF TERRORISM means an assault against the city, its government, or its environs, or an assault against the United States, by domestic or foreign forces of a hostile nation or its agents including, but not limited to, assault by bombing, radiological, chemical, or biological warfare or sabotage.
(2) CONTRABAND means any article, substance, or property, the possession or transportation of which is prohibited, that is subject to summary destruction upon seizure by officers of the law.
(3) CURFEW means a regulation requiring withdrawal of persons from streets, highways, alleys, sidewalks, vacant lots, parks, public buildings, or any other public places in all or a delineated part of the city during the stated hours when the regulation is in effect.
(4) DIRECTOR means the director of the office of management services.
(5) DISASTER means the occurrence or imminent threat of widespread or severe damage, injury, or loss of life or property resulting from any natural cause or man-made cause.
(6) EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT means the mitigation of, preparation for, response to, and recovery from a disaster, and the maintaining of the public peace, health, and safety during a disaster. The term includes plans and preparations for protection from, and relief, recovery, and rehabilitation from, the effects of a disaster. The term does not include any activity that is the primary responsibility of the military forces of the United States or the State of Texas.
(7) EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FORCES means:
(A) the employees, equipment, and facilities of all city departments, offices, boards, institutions, and commissions; and
(B) all volunteer personnel, equipment, and facilities contributed by or obtained from volunteer persons or agencies.
(8) EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT VOLUNTEER means any person duly registered, identified, and appointed by the director of the office of management services, the city manager, or the mayor and assigned to participate in the emergency management activity.
(9) MAN-MADE CAUSE means, but is not limited to:
(A) a nuclear, radiological, or hazardous material accident;
(B) an airplane/aviation, ship/maritime, or train/railroad accident;
(C) an oil spill or other water contamination;
(D) a hostile military or paramilitary action, act of terrorism, or enemy attack;
(E) a riot or civil unrest;
(F) an explosion;
(G) a power outage or energy emergency;
(H) air contamination;
(I) a home or building fire;
(J) a bridge collapse or dam break;
(K) an epidemic or other health emergency; or
(L) any other similar impending or actual calamity requiring emergency action.
(10) NATURAL CAUSE means, but is not limited to:
(A) severe weather, a thunderstorm, or lightning;
(B) a hurricane or tornado;
(C) snow, ice, or a winter storm;
(D) a flood or flash flood;
(E) an earthquake, landslide, or mudflow;
(F) a heat wave, drought, blight, or infestation;
(G) a wildfire;
(H) a tsunami or other wave or tidal action;
(I) volcanic activity; or
(J) any other similar impending or actual calamity requiring emergency action.
(11) PERSON means an individual, corporation, association, or other legal entity.
(12) REGULATIONS mean plans, programs, and other emergency procedures deemed essential to emergency management.
(13) RIOT means a state of violent civil disorder that causes or threatens to cause loss of life or property in the city.
(14) STATE-DESIGNATED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR means the mayor of the city as specified by executive order RP32 of the governor of the State of Texas.
(15) STATE-DESIGNATED EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATOR means the city manager as specified in executive order RP32 of the governor of the State of Texas.
(16) VOLUNTEER means any person contributing service, equipment, or facilities to the emergency management organization without compensation. (Ord. Nos. 15983; 17226; 25834; 27697)
The director shall coordinate the office of emergency management. The director’s duties include, but are not limited to:
(1) coordinating the recruitment of volunteer personnel and agencies to augment the personnel and facilities of the city for emergency management purposes;
(2) developing and coordinating emergency plans for the immediate use of all of the facilities, equipment, manpower, and other resources of the city for the purpose of minimizing or preventing damage to persons and property in the event of a disaster, and for the purpose of protecting and restoring to usefulness governmental services and public utilities necessary for the public health, safety, and welfare in the event of a disaster;
(3) negotiating and concluding agreements with owners or persons in control of buildings or other property for the use of those buildings or property for emergency management purposes and designating suitable buildings as public shelters;
(4) through public informational programs, educating the civilian population as to actions necessary and required for the protection of persons and property in case of impending or present disaster;
(5) conducting rehearsals of emergency plans to ensure the efficient operation of the emergency management forces and to familiarize residents with emergency management regulations, procedures, and operations;
(6) coordinating the activity of all other public and private agencies engaged in any disaster activity within the city; and
(7) administering federal and state disaster assistance programs related to emergency management. (Ord. Nos. 15983; 17226; 25834; 27697)
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