(a) The Director of Emergency Services is hereby empowered to:
(1) Request the Board of Supervisors to proclaim the existence of a “Local Emergency” if the Board of Supervisors is in session, or to issue such proclamation if the Board of Supervisors is not in session. Whenever a local emergency is proclaimed when the Board of Supervisors is not in session, the Board of Supervisors shall take action to ratify the proclamation within seven days thereafter or the proclamation shall have no further force or effect.
(2) Recommend that the Board of Supervisors request the Governor to proclaim a “State of Emergency” when, in his or her opinion, the locally available resources are inadequate to cope with the emergency.
(3) Control and direct the effort of the emergency organization (as defined in § 21.0109 of this Chapter) of this County for the accomplishment of the purposes of this Chapter.
(4) Direct cooperation between and coordination of services and staff of the emergency organization (as defined in § 21.0109 of this Chapter) of this County, and resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise between them.
(5) Represent this County in all dealings with public or private agencies on matters pertaining to emergencies as defined herein.
(b) 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 of Emergency Services is hereby empowered to:
(1) Make and issue rules, regulations and orders on matters reasonably related to the protection of life and property as affected by such emergency, provided, however, that such rules, regulations and orders are confirmed at the earliest practicable time by the Board of Supervisors.
(2) Obtain vital supplies, equipment, and such other properties found lacking and needed for the protection of life and property, and to bind the County for the fair value thereof and, if required immediately, to commandeer the same for public use.
(3) Require emergency services of any County officer or employee, and in the event of the proclamation of a “Local Emergency” in the County or the existence of a proclaimed “State of Emergency” or a “State of War,” to command the aid of as many citizens of this County as he or she deems necessary in the execution of his or her duties. All such County officers and employees performing disaster work that is outside the course and scope of their regular employment without pay, and all such commanded citizens, 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 County department or agency.
(5) Execute all of his or her ordinary power as Director of Emergency Services, all of the special powers conferred upon him or her by this Chapter or by resolution or emergency plan adopted by the Board of Supervisors, all powers conferred upon him or her by any statute, by any agreement approved by the Board of Supervisors, and by any other lawful authority.
(Ord. 4191, passed - -2012)