(A) Plans authorized precedencies. In the case of a natural disaster, Res. 2009-R-021 will be the deciding town resolution or ordinance. Other passed plans shall remain in effect but will be enforceable only when the complete Town Council is incapacitated, or the natural disaster is of such a nature that it exceeds the capabilities of the Town Council to provide needed relief to the residents of the town, or it is a pandemic situation that requires a Board of Health physician to oversee the public health. However in the case of a pandemic situation the Town Council President, Town Council, Town Marshal’s Department members and the Town Water Utility Superintendent will work with Board of Health physician for the health and safety of the town residents.
(B) Declaration of a disaster emergency situation.
(1) Emergency declared by the President of the United States for an area which includes the town.
(2) Emergency declared by the Governor of the state for an area which includes the town.
(3) Emergency declared by the County Council for an area which includes the town.
(4) Emergency declared by the state police from Sellersburg, Indiana Post for an area which includes the town.
(5) Emergency declared by the County Sheriff Department for an area which includes the town.
(6) Emergency declared by:
(a) The Town Council President (if not incapacitated);
(b) The Town Council Vice-President (if not incapacitated);
(c) A Town Council member (if not incapacitated);
(d) The Town Marshal (if not incapacitated); and
(e) The Town Deputy Marshal (if not incapacitated).
(7) When a state of emergency is declared in accordance with divisions (B)(1) through (B)(5) above, the emergency situation shall be assessed by town officials stated in division (B)(6) above before an emergency evacuation will begin.
(C) When a declaration of a disaster emergency situation has been declared. When a disaster emergency situation has been declared by one of the following:
(1) The Town Council President (if not incapacitated);
(2) The Town Council Vice-President (if not incapacitated);
(3) A Town Council member (if not incapacitated);
(4) The Town Marshal (if not incapacitated); and
(5) The Town Deputy Marshal (if not incapacitated) shall be the acting town official to oversee the town disaster response team.
(D) Procedures to be followed in the event of a disaster. In accordance with this section, a disaster emergency that has been declared may require the official in charge to render decisions that will hold the town liable for financial expenditures necessary to address the disaster situation. In acceptance by the vote of the Town Council for this section, the Town Council declares its unanimous consent for such necessary expenditures; however accurate records are to be kept for all such expenditures.
(E) Town response team and responsibilities.
(1) The Town Council President shall be the town official in charge of the town disaster response team. The Town Council President shall direct all response team members to coordinate their efforts to best serve the town community.
(2) The Town Council Vice President shall be the town official in charge of contacting and working in conjunction with the town official in charge, shall contact:
(a) All news organizations (radio, television, newspapers) necessary to inform town residents of disaster situation;
(b) All hospitals, emergency services, electrical and telephone services affected by the disaster situation within the town corporate limits; and
(c) Act as official liaison between the town and all news media.
(3) The Town Council Special Projects Chairperson shall:
(a) Consult with the town disaster response official in charge to the extent of the disaster. Under the direction of the official in charge they shall caused to be opened the town emergency shelter or contact the appropriate state or county officials requesting emergency shelter, water and food staples for disaster victims.
(b) In the event that the town emergency shelter is activated they shall work in conjunction with the town official in charge in accordance with Ord. 2009-T-018 and provide a roster of staff to maintain and operate the shelter.
(c) In the event that the town emergency shelter is not activated they shall work in conjunction with the town official in charge and the Town Marshal’s Department in evaluating disaster victims to a shelter that may be provided by others.
(4) The Town Council Streets and Roads Chairperson shall consult with the town disaster response official in charge to the extent of the disaster. Under the direction of the official in charge and in conjunction with the Town Marshal’s Department they shall caused to have any blocked or closed streets, roadways or alleyways cleared of debris to allow the accessibility of emergency vehicles to assist disaster victims.
(5) The Town Council Emergency Services Chairperson shall be the town official in charge of overseeing the Town Marshal’s Department operations and working in conjunction with the town official in charge, shall:
(a) Contact and direct to where they are needed emergency personnel needed in assisting disaster victims;
(b) Locate any special equipment or services needed to aid and assist the Marshal Department’s disaster relief efforts;
(c) Assist the Streets and Road Chairperson in obtaining necessary equipment to clear any blocked streets, roadways or alleyways to be cleared;
(d) Assist Town Marshal’s Department in locating additional law enforcement help if required; and
(e) Assist the Special Projects Chairperson in opening and staffing of the town emergency shelter.
(6) The Town Water Company Superintendent shall be the town official in charge of overseeing the town water operations and working in conjunction with the town official in charge shall:
(a) Contact and assemble water company personnel as needed to assist disaster victims;
(b) Locate potable water supplies for drinking and personal hygiene;
(c) Notify the town water company water suppliers of disaster emergency status and water situation and needs for disaster victims; and
(d) Assist the Special Projects Chairperson in opening and staffing of the town emergency shelter.
(7) The Town Marshal and his or her Department shall provide security operations and working in conjunction with the town official in charge shall:
(a) Provide traffic control;
(b) Provide emergency aid to disaster victims;
(c) Assist in maintaining enforcement of rules and regulations of town emergency shelter;
(d) Provide law enforcement to prevent looting and crimes in disaster areas;
(e) Assist the Special Projects Chairperson in opening and staffing of the town emergency shelter;
(f) Provide Reserve Officer with patrol unit for courier service in the event that telephone services have been interrupted;
(g) Provide Reserve Officer with patrol unit for official personnel, if required;
(h) Request additional help from surrounding law enforcement agencies, if required;
(i) If additional law enforcement help is not available the Marshal is authorized by the Town Council unanimous vote per this section to swear in special Reserve Officers as needed. These officers will not have any arrest powers or carry a sidearm. These officers shall be used for traffic control only. They may also be used for foot patrolling, but must report to the Marshal or member of the Town Marshal’s Department any suspicious activities. They are not to try to apprehend anyone suspected of illegal activities; and
(j) Provide assistance to all other town disaster response officials in charge.
(8) The Town Clerk-Treasurer shall, in conjunction with the town disaster response officials, obtain, receive and hold all documentation and receipts to substantiate any expenditure created by the disaster relief.
(9) In the worse case scenario, if all town disaster response officials are incapacitated, citizens of the town are to follow the instructions of the state, county or law enforcement agencies responding to the disasters.
(10) This plan to be posted in the town water company and in the Town Hall at all times for public viewing.
(11) See list of current names and telephone numbers of recommended emergency contact information.
(Ord. 2009-R-021, passed 5-18-2009)