(A) The Department, subject to the direction and control of the Director, shall prepare and implement the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, including the following specific duties:
(1) Prepare and distribute to all appropriate officials a clear and complete written statement of the emergency responsibilities of all local agencies and officials and the disaster chain of command in accordance with I.C. 10-14-3-17(1);
(2) Work closely with officers and employees of incorporated and unincorporated areas of the county to develop a hazard mitigation program to eliminate or reduce potential hazards;
(3) Write and implement the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, which shall conform to the guidelines contained in the most current state and federal guidance documents, including requirements to adopt and utilize the National Incident Management System and Incident Command System and the requirements established in this chapter. As part of the preparation of this Plan, the Department shall:
(a) Identify and analyze the effects of hazards that threaten the county;
(b) Inventory manpower and material resources from governmental and private sector sources that would be available in a disaster or emergency;
(c) Establish a system to alert key officials in event of a disaster or emergency;
(d) Identify resource deficiencies and work with appropriate officials on measures to correct them;
(e) Develop and maintain an emergency communications system, thus assuring proper functioning of emergency communications throughout the county, including all cities and towns;
(f) Take all actions necessary to ensure the continuity of government procedures and systems in the event of a disaster;
(g) Establish and maintain a shelter and reception and care system for both people and animals;
(h) Develop a training program for emergency response personnel ensuring that mitigation, framing and exercising have been performed for all such personnel; and
(i) Coordinate with industry to develop and maintain industrial emergency plans and capabilities in support of the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan.
(4) Update the Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan as needed to keep it current, as required by I.C. 10-14-3-17(h); and
(5) Develop a program to test and exercise the Emergency Plan.
(B) (1) The Advisory Council shall advise the Director in the preparation of the budget.
(2) The County Council shall appropriate such funds, as it may deem necessary for the purpose of emergency management.
(3) All funds appropriated or otherwise available to the Department of Emergency Management shall be administered by the Director.
(Ord. 2005-007, passed 8-17-2005)