The Mayor shall have general direction and control of the Civil Defense Advisory Council, and be responsible for the carrying out of the provisions of this chapter. In the event of death or disability of the Mayor, the line of succession to the Mayor shall be as established by law. In performing his duties under this chapter the Mayor is authorized to cooperate with other political subdivisions, with other States, with the Federal Government and with private agencies in all matters pertaining to civil defense activities of the City, County, State and Nation. In performing his duties under this chapter, the Mayor is further authorized and empowered:
(a) To make, amend and rescind the necessary orders, rules and regulations within the limits of the authority conferred upon him herein, and with due consideration to the plans of the State of Ohio and the Federal Government, as well as the plans of other political subdivisions for civil defense purposes;
(b) To take precautionary measures against air raids and other forms of attack and to mobilize and appoint auxiliary personnel;
(c) To regulate intracity traffic in the interest of national defense;
(d) To designate emergency health and sanitation areas in locations damaged by air raids or other catastrophe, and to make rules and regulations designed to safeguard public health;
(e) To direct all activities of the City officials and volunteer agencies with regard to evacuation of civilians;
(f) To enforce all laws and regulations relating to civil defense including Federal and State regulations and in emergency to assume direct operational control of all civil defense forces;
(g) To procure, or cause to be procured, supplies and equipment to institute, or cause to be instituted, training programs and public information programs to insure the furnishing of adequately trained and equipped forces of civil defense and to plan for the most efficient emergency use thereof;
(h) To make or cause to be made such studies and surveys of the industries, resources and surrounding political subdivisions as may be necessary to ascertain the capabilities of the City for civil defense and to plan for the most efficient emergency use thereof;
(i) To enter on behalf of the City into mutual aid arrangements with other political subdivisions, to coordinate such mutual aid plans between such political subdivisions and to establish mobile support units to reinforce stricken areas as required;
(j) To delegate any administrative authority vested in him under this chapter, and provide for the subdelegation of any such authority;
(k) To declare by proclamation or executive order a state of emergency and the termination thereof, unless Council by resolution or ordinance shall sooner declare the termination of the state of emergency.
(1955 Code §139.04)