(A) The County Judge Executive.
(1) The DES Director may exercise the emergency power and authority necessary to fulfill his or her general powers and duties as defined in the fiscal court order. The judgement of the DES Director shall be the sole criteria necessary to invoke emergency powers provided in the fiscal court order, and any other appropriate authorities. The fiscal court may convene to perform their legislative and administrative powers as the situation demands, and shall receive reports relative to any civil defense related activities.
(2) During any period when disaster threatens or when the city of Pineville/city of Middlesboro/county of Bell has been struck by disaster, within the definition of this chapter, the County Judge Executive may promulgate such regulations as he or she deems necessary to protect life and property and preserve critical resources. Such regulations may include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
(a) Regulations prohibited or restricting the movement of vehicles in order to facilitate the work of DES forces, or to facilitate the mass movement of person from critical areas within or without the county;
(b) Regulations pertaining to the movement of persons from areas deemed to be hazardous or vulnerable to disaster;
(c) Such other regulations necessary to preserve public peace, health, and safety; and
(d) Regulations promulgated in accordance with the authority above will be given widespread circulation by proclamations published and uttered by newspaper and radio. These regulations will have the force of the law set forth in this chapter when duly filed with the County Court Clerk and violations will be subject to the penalties provided herein.
(3) The DES Director shall order DES forces to the aid of other communities when required in accordance with the statutes of the state and he or she may request the state, or a political subdivision of the state, to send said to the county, in case of disaster when conditions in the city/county are beyond the control of the local DES forces.
(4) DES Director may obtain vital supplies, equipment, and other properties found lacking and needed for the protection of health, life, and property of the people, and bind the county for the fair value thereof.
(5) DES Director may require emergency services of any city of county officer or employee. If regular city/county forces are determined inadequate, the Director may require the services of such other personnel as he or she can obtain that are available, including citizen volunteers. All duly authorized persons rendering emergency services shall be entitled to the privileges and immunities as are provided by state law, the county resolution for regular county employees, and other registered and identified civil defense and disaster workers and, upon demand, may receive appropriate compensation for their emergency employment.
(B) The Coordinator of the Office of Disaster and Emergency Services shall be responsible to the County Judge Executive in regard to all phases of the civil defense related activities. Under the supervision of the Director, he or she shall be responsible for the planning, coordination, and operation of the civil defense activity in the county. Under the supervision of the Director, he or she shall maintain liaison with the state and federal authorities and the authorities of other nearby political subdivisions as to ensure the most effective operation of the civil defense plan. His or her duties all include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) Controlling any necessary record- keeping for disaster and emergency services funds and property which may be made available from the federal, state, and county governments;
(2) Submitting annual budget requirements to the state and federal governments and to the fiscal court;
(3) Signing such documents, as are necessary in the administration of the county disaster preparedness program to include project applications and billing for purchases under project applications;
(4) Coordinating the recruitment of volunteer personnel and agencies to augment the personnel and facilities or the county for disaster and emergency services purposes;
(5) Developing and coordinating plans for the immediate use of all of the facilities, equipment, manpower, and other resources of the county for the purpose of minimizing or preventing damage to persons or property; and protecting and restoring the usefulness of governmental services and public utilities necessary for the public health, safety, and welfare;
(6) Negotiating and concluding agreements with owners or persons in control of buildings or other property for the use of such buildings or other property for the civil defense purpose and designating suitable buildings as public shelters;
(7) Through public informational programs, educating the civilian population as to actions necessary and required for the protection of their persons and property in case of enemy attack, or disaster, as defined in § 95.03, either impending or present;
(8) Conducting public practice alerts to ensure the efficient operation of the civil defense forces and to familiarize residents with civil defense regulations, procedures, and operations; and
(9) Assuming such authority and conducting such activities as the Director may direct which may be necessary to promote and execute the basic emergency operations plan (EOP) for the county.
(Res. passed 8-10-1987)