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CHAPTER 16: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Section
   16.01   Policy and purpose
   16.02   Definitions
   16.03   Establishment of an emergency management organization
   16.04   Powers and duties of the Coordinator
   16.05   Local emergencies
   16.06   Emergency regulations
   16.07   Emergency management a governmental function
   16.08   Violations
   16.09   Effective date
§ 16.01 POLICY AND PURPOSE.
   Because of the existing possibility of the occurrence of disasters of unprecedented size and destruction resulting from fire, flood, tornado, blizzard, destructive winds or other natural causes, or from sabotage, hostile action or from hazardous material mishaps or catastrophic measure or emergencies that are technological in nature; and in order to ensure that preparations of the city will be adequate to deal with the disasters and, generally, to provide for the common defense and to protect the public peace, health and safety, and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the city, it is hereby found and declared to be necessary:
   (A)   To establish a city emergency management organization responsible for city planning and preparation for emergency government operations in time of disasters;
   (B)   To provide for the exercise of necessary powers during emergencies and disasters;
   (C)   To provide for the rendering of mutual aid between the city and other political subdivisions of the state and of other states with respect to the carrying out of emergency preparedness functions; and
   (D)   To comply with provisions of M.S. Ch. 12, § 12.25, as it may be amended from time to time, which requires that each political subdivision of the state shall establish a local organization for emergency management.
(Am. Ord. passed 11-13-2018)
§ 16.02 DEFINITIONS.
   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
   DISASTER. A situation which creates an immediate and serious impairment to the health and safety of any person, or a situation which has resulted in or is likely to result in a catastrophic loss to property, and for which traditional sources of relief and assistance within the affected area are unable to repair or prevent the injury or loss.
   EMERGENCY. An unforeseen combination of circumstances, which calls for immediate action to prevent it from developing or occurring.
   EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. The preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than functions for which military forces are primarily responsible, to prevent, minimize and repair injury and damage resulting from disasters caused by flood, fire, tornado and other acts of nature, or from sabotage, hostile action or from industrial hazardous material mishaps or emergencies that are technological in nature. These functions include, without limitation, firefighting services, police services, emergency medical services, engineering, warning services, communications, radiological and chemical, evacuation, congregate care, emergency transportation, existing or properly assigned functions of plant protection, temporary restoration of public utility services and other functions related to civil protection, together with all other activities necessary or incidental for carrying out of the foregoing functions. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT includes those activities sometimes referred to as CIVIL DEFENSE functions.
   EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FORCES. The total personnel resources engaged in city-level, emergency management functions in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or any rule or order thereunder. This includes personnel from city departments, authorized volunteers and private organizations and agencies.
   EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION. The staff responsible for coordinating city-level planning and preparation for disaster response. This ORGANIZATION provides city liaison and coordination with federal, state and local jurisdictions relative to disaster preparedness activities, and assures implementation of federal and state program requirements.
(Am. Ord. passed 11-13-2018)
§ 16.03 ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION.
    There is hereby created with the city government an emergency management organization, which shall be under the supervision and control of the City Emergency Management Coordinator, hereinafter called the “Coordinator”. The Coordinator shall be appointed by the Mayor and City Council for an indefinite term and may be removed by them at any time. Any salary or expenses will be determined by the City Council. The Coordinator shall have direct responsibility for the organization, administration and operation of the city’s emergency management organization, subject to the direction and control of the Mayor and City Council.
(Am. Ord. passed 11-13-2018)
§ 16.04 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COORDINATOR.
   (A)   The Coordinator, with the consent of the Mayor and City Council, shall represent the city on any federal, state, regional or local organization or conference for emergency management.
   (B)   The Coordinator shall prepare an all-hazards, emergency-operations plan for the delivery of emergency services for the city, and shall present this plan to the City Council for its action. The plan may be modified in like manner from time to time. The plan shall be coordinated with such similar plans of the county and neighboring municipalities. When the City Council has approved the plan by resolution, it shall be the duty of all city agencies and all city emergency preparedness forces to perform the duties and functions assigned by the plan as approved.
   (C)   The Coordinator shall develop mutual aid agreements with other political subdivisions for reciprocal emergency services, and shall present these agreements to the Council for its action. Such arrangements shall be consistent with the duties of the Emergency Management Department to render assistance in accordance with the provisions of such mutual aid arrangements.
   (D)   The Coordinator may recommend the procurement of supplies and equipment for the preparation of training programs and public information programs, and shall conduct practice, drills and other training exercises that may be necessary to fully train and equip emergency management personnel for their duties in time of need.
   (E)   The Coordinator may survey the training and education of the work force of the city, the industries, resources and facilities of the city in order to ascertain their capability to function in time of emergency.
   (F)   The Coordinator shall institute such training programs, public information programs and conduct practice warning alerts and emergency exercises as may be necessary to assure prompt and effective operation of the city’s emergency operations plan when a disaster occurs.
   (G)   The Coordinator shall utilize the personnel, services, equipment, supplies, and facilities of existing departments and agencies of the city to the maximum extent practicable. To the maximum extent practicable, the officers and personnel of all such departments and agencies shall cooperate with and extend such services and facilities to the city emergency management organization and to the Governor upon request. The head of each department or agency, in cooperation with the Coordinator, shall be responsible for the planning and programming of such emergency activities as will involve the utilization of the facilities of that department or agency.
   (H)   The Coordinator shall cooperate with federal, state and local officials in matters pertaining to the training, equipping and functioning of efforts and emergency of every kind.
   (I)   The Coordinator shall act as principal aide and advisor to the city officials responsible for direction and control of all city emergency operations during an emergency. The Coordinator’s main responsibility is to assure coordination among the operating departments, non-governmental groups, and with higher and adjacent governments. Responsibilities of the Coordinator in meeting the critical emergency functions of the city are further outlined in the city’s emergency operations plan (EOP).
   (J)   As directed in the city’s emergency operations plan, the Coordinator shall provide and equip in the city an emergency operations center (EOC), and if necessary, an auxiliary EOC, to be used during an emergency as headquarters for the direction and coordination of emergency services. The Director shall arrange for installation at the EOC of communication systems with heads of emergency services, the station and operating units of municipal services and other agencies concerned with emergency services, and for communications with other communities and control centers within the surrounding area, and with the federal and state agencies concerned.
   (K)   The Coordinator shall use the services, equipment, supplies and facilities of existing departments, offices, personnel and agencies of the city to the maximum extent practicable, and all city employees are directed to cooperate with the Director in carrying out emergency management functions,
   (L)   The Coordinator shall report to the City Council annually, and as otherwise required by the Council, on the operation of the Emergency Management Department.
(Am. Ord. passed 11-13-2018)
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