2.12.020 Definitions.

   (a)   The following words and phrases, whenever used in this chapter, shall be construed as defined in this section:

   (1)   "Emergency" means the actual or threatened existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the city caused by such conditions as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, or earthquake, or other conditions, including conditions resulting from war or imminent threat of war, but other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of this city, requiring the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat.

   (2)   "State of war emergency" means the condition which exists immediately, with or without a proclamation thereof by the governor, whenever this state or nation is attacked by an enemy of the United States, or upon receipt by the state of a warning from the federal government indicating that such an enemy attack is probable or imminent.

   (3)   "Local emergency" means the duly proclaimed existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property within the territorial limits of the city of Palo Alto caused by such conditions as air pollution, fire, flood, storm, epidemic, riot, or earthquake or other conditions, other than conditions resulting from a labor controversy, which conditions are or are likely to be beyond the control of the services, personnel, equipment, and facilities of the city of Palo Alto and require the combined forces of other political subdivisions to combat.

(Ord. 2641 § 1 (part), 1971: Ord. 2146 (part), 1963: prior code § 2.1002)

2.12.030 Palo Alto emergency services council - Membership.

   (a)   The Palo Alto emergency services council is hereby created and shall consist of the following:

   (1)   The mayor who shall be chairman;

   (2)   The director of emergency services shall be the city manager, who shall be vice-chairman;

   (3)   The assistant director of emergency services;

   (4)   Such chiefs of emergency services as are provided for in the current emergency plan of the city adopted pursuant to this chapter; and

   (5)   Such representatives of civic, business, labor, veterans, professional or other organizations having an official emergency responsibility, as may be appointed by the director with the advice and consent of the city council.

(Ord. 2641 § 1 (part), 1971: Ord. 2146 (part), 1963: prior code § 2.1003)

2.12.040 Powers and duties of emergency services council.

   It shall be the duty of the Palo Alto emergency services council, and it is hereby empowered to recommend for adoption by the city council, emergency and mutual aid plans and agreements, and such ordinances, resolutions, rules and regulations as are necessary to implement such plans and agreements. The emergency services council shall meet upon call of the chairman or in his absence from the city or inability to call such meeting, upon the call of the vice-chairman.

(Ord. 2641 § 1 (part), 1971: Ord. 2146 (part), 1963: prior code § 2.1004)

2.12.050 General powers and duties of director of emergency services.

   (a)   There is hereby created the office of emergency services. The city manager shall be the director of emergency services.

   (b)   There is hereby created the position of assistant director of emergency services who shall be appointed by the director.

   (c)   The director and assistant director are hereby empowered to:

   (1)   Request the city council to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a "local emergency" if the city council is in session, or to issue such proclamation if the city council is not in session, subject to ratification by the city council within seven days thereafter or the proclamation shall have no further force or effect;

   (2)   Request the Governor to proclaim a "state of emergency" when in the opinion of the director, the resources of the area or region are inadequate to cope with the emergency upon request by proper authority;

   (3)   Control and direct the effort of the civil emergency organization of the city for the accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter;

   (4)   Direct coordination and cooperation of services and staff of the emergency organization of the city, and resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise between them; and

   (5)   Represent the city in all dealings with public or private agencies on matters pertaining to emergencies as defined herein.

(Ord. 2641 § 1 (part) 1971: Ord. 2146 (part), 1963: prior code § 2.1005)

2.12.060 Powers of director in state of "local emergency," "state of emergency," or "state of war emergency."

   (a)   In the event of the proclamation of a "local emergency" as herein provided, the proclamation of a "state of emergency" by the Governor or the Director of the State Office of Emergency Services, or the existence of a "state of war emergency," the director is hereby empowered to:

   (1)   Make and issue rules and regulations on matters reasonably related to the protection of life and property as affected by such emergency; provided, however, such rules and regulations must be confirmed at the earliest practicable time by the city council;

   (2)   Obtain vital supplies, equipment, and such other properties found lacking and needed for the protection of life and property and to bind the city for the fair value thereof and, if required immediately, to commandeer the same for public use;

   (3)   Require emergency services of any city officer or employee and, in the event of the proclamation of a "state of emergency" in the county in which this city is located or the existence of a "state of war emergency," to command the aid of as many citizens of this community as he deems necessary in the execution of his duties; such persons shall be entitled to all privileges, benefits, and immunities as are provided by state law for registered disaster service workers;

   (4)   Requisition necessary personnel or material of any city department or agency; and

   (5)   Execute all of his ordinary power as city manager, all of the special powers conferred upon him by this chapter or by resolution or emergency plan pursuant hereto adopted by the city council, all powers conferred upon him by any statute, by any agreement approved by the city council, and by any other lawful authority;

   (6)   The assistant director shall, under the supervision of the director and with the assistance of emergency service chiefs, develop emergency plans and manage the emergency programs of this city; and shall have such other powers and duties as may be assigned by the director.

(Ord. 2641 § 1 (part), 1971: Ord. 2146 (part), 1963: prior code § 2.1006)

2.12.070 Emergency organization.

   All officers and employees of this city, together with those volunteer forces enrolled to aid them during an emergency, and all groups, organizations, and persons who may by agreement or operation of law, including persons impressed into service under the provisions of subsection (a)(3) of Section 2.12.060 of this chapter, be charged with duties incident to the protection of life and property in the city during such emergency, shall constitute the emergency organization of the city of Palo Alto.

(Ord. 2641 § 1 (part), 1971: Ord. 2146 (part), 1963: prior code § 2.1007)