(A) The County Council shall be responsible for meeting the problems and dangers to the county and its residents resulting from emergencies of any origin and may issue proclamations and regulations concerning emergency relief and related matters which, during an emergency situation, shall have the full force and effect of law.
(B) A state of disaster may be declared by the County Council or state of localized emergency may be declared by the county manager or director if either finds a disaster or emergency has occurred, or that the threat thereof is imminent, and extraordinary emergency measures are deemed necessary to cope with the existing or anticipated situation. Once declared, the state of emergency shall continue until terminated by the county manager or director. All proclamations issued pursuant to this section shall indicate the nature of the disaster or emergency, the area or areas affected by the proclamation and the conditions under which it will be terminated.
(C) In addition to any other powers conferred by law, the County Council may, under the provisions of this chapter:
(1) Suspend existing laws and regulations prescribing the procedure for conduct of county business if strict compliance with the provision of any statute, order, rule or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action in coping with the emergency;
(2) Utilize all available resources of county government as is reasonably necessary to cope with a disaster or emergency;
(3) Transfer the direction, personnel or functions of county departments and agencies or units thereof for purposes of facilitating or performing emergency services as necessary or desirable;
(4) Compel performance of the duties and functions assigned in the emergency operations plan to elected and appointed county government officials and employees;
(5) Contract, requisition and compensate for goods and services from private sources;
(6) Suspend or limit the sale, dispensing or transportation of alcoholic beverages, firearms, explosives and combustibles;
(7) Make provisions for the availability and use of temporary housing;
(8) Suspend or limit non-emergency activities and prohibit public assemblies;
(9) Impose curfews on areas affected by emergency for periods not to exceed 48 hours under a single emergency declaration.
(‘77 Code, § 6-6) (Ord. 1996, passed 5-6-96)