§ 7-19  ASSUMPTION OF POWERS AND DUTIES; INTERIM SUCCESSORS.
   (A)   If in the event of an attack any officer named in § 7-18(A) and (B) and any duly authorized deputy is unavailable, his or her emergency interim successor highest in rank in order of succession who is not unavailable shall, except for the power and duty to appoint emergency interim successors, exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the officer.
   (B)   An emergency interim successor shall exercise these powers and discharge these duties only until the time as the lawful incumbent officer or any duly authorized deputy or an emergency interim successor higher in rank in order of succession exercises, or resumes the exercise of, the powers and discharge of the duties of the office, or until, where an actual vacancy exists, a successor is appointed to fill the vacancy or is elected and qualified as provided by law.
(`86 Code, § 7-19)