(A) County Emergency Management Advisory Council established. In accordance with I.C. 10-14-3-17(c), there is established the County Emergency Management Advisory Council, which shall consist of the following persons:
(1) The President of the Board of County Commissioners, or his or her designee;
(2) The President of the County Council, or his or her designee;
(3) The Mayor of Greensburg, or his or her designee;
(4) One individual representing the Town Councils of Westport, St. Paul, New Point and Millhousen, to be selected by the members under divisions (A)(1), (A)(2) and (A)(3) above;
(5) One commander of a local civil air patrol unit in the county or his or her designee, to be selected by the members under divisions (A)(1), (A)(2) and (A)(3) above; and
(6) Two individuals or representatives of such private and public agencies or organizations who can assist emergency management considered appropriate by the remaining members of the Emergency Management Advisory Council.
(B) Appointment and terms of members.
(1) The Advisory Council shall have a maximum of seven members.
(a) Each member appointed to serve under divisions (A)(4) and (A)(6) above shall serve a four-year term and may not be reappointed for more than two consecutive terms.
(b) The initial members appointed under divisions (A)(4) and (A)(6) above shall serve terms of two, three and four years so that the terms of subsequent members will end at different times.
(2) The Advisory Council shall have a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and a Recording Secretary. These officers shall be elected by the Advisory Council for one-year terms.
(C) Duties of Emergency Management Advisory Council as established in I.C. 10-14-3-17(d).
(1) The Advisory Council shall exercise general supervision and control over the emergency management and disaster program of the county. The Advisory Council shall select, or cause to be selected, with the approval of the County Commissioners, a County Emergency Management Director, who shall have direct responsibility for the organization, administration and operation of the emergency management program in the county and shall be responsible to the Chairperson of the Advisory Council.
(2) The Chairperson of the Advisory Council is responsible for supervision of the Director of Emergency Management and shall conduct an annual performance review of the Director. The Advisory Council shall have the authority to recommend to the county Executive, the removal of the County Emergency Management Director.
(3) The Advisory Council shall meet at least quarterly; the frequency, time and place being determined by the Council. Meetings of the Advisory Council shall be open meetings and shall be posted in accordance with I.C. 5-14-1.5.
(D) Department of Emergency Management.
(1) There is hereby established a Department of Emergency Management within the executive branch of the county government which shall be responsible for disaster preparedness and coordination of response. The Emergency Management Director shall be responsible for its organization, administration and operation.
(2) The Director may recommend to the Advisory Council the appointment of such assistants, clerical help, and other employees as deemed necessary to the proper functioning of the Department in accordance with the plan. Personnel decisions for the Department of Emergency Management shall be subject to approval by the Advisory Council.
(3) The Director, in consultation with the Advisory Council, shall prepare an annual budget for submission to the County Council.
(4) The Director, with approval of the Advisory Council, may appoint emergency management volunteers, as deemed necessary in accordance with the plan. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age.
(5) The Director shall review and keep current the county disaster emergency plan and shall prepare and distribute to all appropriate officials a clear and complete written statement of the emergency responsibilities of all local agencies and officials and the disaster chain of command.
(6) The Director shall submit to the Advisory Council and to the County Commissioners and County Council an annual report on the emergency management program, including mitigation, preparedness, responses and recovery taken during the previous year and planned and recommended for the year to come.
(7) The Director shall conduct an annual review of the county’s disaster emergency plan with the Advisory Council and with additional local officials as deemed necessary.
(8) The Director shall coordinate emergency and disaster planning and response within the county with local officials and shall cooperate with regional, state and federal agencies with regard to disaster prevention, preparedness and response.
(9) The Director shall supervise the work of all employees of the Department of Emergency Management and shall be responsible for the training and supervision of all volunteers.
(10) The Director shall assure the proper functioning of emergency communications throughout the county, including all cities and towns, as prescribed in the communications portion of the plan.
(11) The Director shall take all other actions necessary or appropriate to carry out the emergency preparedness and response program of the county.
(Ord. 2011-8, passed 12-5-2011)