The purpose of this chapter is to provide direction for the declaration of emergencies, emergency management procedures and for continuity in government by providing a procedure for succession in offices where elected officials or other key personnel are unavailable during the course of any major natural disaster or other disruptive occurrence. This chapter is also designed to provide a statement of the clear line of authority and succession assuming the unavailability, temporarily or permanently, of elected and appointed officials in order to ensure a lawful continuity of government and prompt response to an emergency caused by such disaster or occurrence. (Ord. 2.10, 5-5-2003, eff. 6-1-2003; amd. 2005 Code)