Because of the existing possibility of the occurrence of disasters of unprecedented size and destruction resulting from fire, flood, tornado, blizzard, destructive winds or other natural causes, from sabotage or hostile action, or from hazardous material mishaps of catastrophic measure; and in order to insure that preparations of this city will be adequate to deal with disasters, and generally, to provide for the common defense and to protect the public peace, health and safety, and to preserve the lives and property of the people of this city, it is hereby found and declared to be necessary:
(A) To establish a city emergency management organization responsible for city planning and preparation for emergency government operations in time of disasters;
(B) To provide for the exercise of necessary powers during emergencies and disasters;
(C) To provide for the rendering of mutual aid between this city and other political subdivisions of this state and of other states with respect to the carrying out of emergency-preparedness functions; and
(D) To comply with the provisions of M.S. § 12.25, as it may be amended from time to time, which require that each political subdivision of the state shall establish a local organization for emergency management.
All functions and activities relating to emergency management are hereby declared to be governmental functions. The provisions of this section shall not affect the right of any person to receive benefits to which he or she would otherwise be entitled under this chapter, the workers' compensation law, or any pension law, nor the right of any person to receive any benefits or compensation under any act of Congress.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
DISASTER. A situation which creates an immediate and serious impairment to the health and safety of any person, or a situation which has resulted in or is likely to result in catastrophic loss to property, and for which traditional sources of relief and assistance within the affected area are unable to repair or prevent the injury or loss.
EMERGENCY. An unforeseen combination of circumstances which calls for immediate action to prevent from developing or occurring.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. The preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than functions for which military forces are primarily responsible, to prevent, minimize, and repair injury and damage resulting from disasters caused by fire, flood, tornado and other acts of nature or from sabotage, hostile action or from industrial hazardous material mishaps. These functions include, without limitation, fire fighting services, police services, emergency medical services, engineering, warning services, communications, radiological and chemical, evacuation, congregate care, emergency transportation, existing or properly assigned functions of plant protection, temporary restoration of public utility services and other functions related to civil protection, together with all other activities necessary or incidental for carrying out the foregoing functions. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT includes those activities sometimes referred to as “civil defense” functions.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FORCES. The total personnel resources engaged in city-level emergency management functions in accordance with the provisions of this chapter or any rule or order thereunder. This includes personnel from city departments, authorized volunteers and private organizations and agencies.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION. The staff responsible for coordinating city-level planning and preparation for disaster response. This organization provides city liaison and coordination with federal, state and local jurisdictions relative to disaster preparedness activities and assures implementation of federal and state program requirements.
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