Skip to content
52Nov 3 election

2.36.060 - Director and assistant director of emergency services—Powers and duties.

Part of the Code of Ordinances of Commerce, CA.

Local law · Updated May 13, 2025 · 2,277 sections

The text

(a)

The director is empowered to:

(1)

Request the city council to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a "local emergency" if the city council is in session, or to issue such proclamation if the city council is not in session. Whenever a local emergency is proclaimed by the director, the city council shall take action to ratify the proclamation within seven days thereafter or the proclamation shall have no further force or effect;

(2)

Request the Governor to proclaim a "state of emergency" when, in the opinion of the director, the locally available resources are inadequate to cope with the emergency;

(3)

Control and direct the effort of the emergency organization of the city for the accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter;

(4)

Direct cooperation between and coordination of services and staff of the emergency organization of the city; and resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise between them;

(5)

Represent the city in all dealings with public or private agencies on matters pertaining to emergencies, as defined in this chapter;

(6)

In the event of the proclamation of a "local emergency," as provided in this chapter, the proclamation of a "state of emergency" by the Governor or Director of the State Office of Emergency Services, or the existence of a "state of war emergency," the director is empowered to:

(A)

Make and issue rules and regulations on matters reasonably related to the protection of life and property as affected by such emergency; provided, however, such rules and regulations must be confirmed at the earliest practicable time by the city council,

(B)

Obtain vital supplies equipment, and such other properties found lacking and needed for the protection of life and property, and to bind the city for the fair value thereof, and, if required immediately, to commandeer the same for public use,

(C)

Require emergency services of any city officer or employee and, in the event of the proclamation of a "state of emergency" in the county in which the city is located or the existence of a "state of war emergency," to command the aid of as many citizens of the community as he deems necessary in the execution of his duties; such persons shall be entitled to all privileges, benefits, and immunities as are provided by state law for registered disaster service workers,

(D)

Requisition necessary personnel or material of any city department or agency, and

(E)

Execute all of his ordinary power as city administrator, all of the special powers conferred upon him by this chapter, or by resolution or emergency plan pursuant to this chapter adopted by the city council, and all powers conferred upon him by any statute, by any agreement approved by the city council, and by any other lawful authority.

(b)

The director of emergency services shall designate the order of succession to that office, to take effect in the event the director is unavailable to attend meetings and otherwise perform his duties during an emergency. Such order of succession shall be approved by the city council.

(c)

The assistant director, under the supervision of the director and with the assistance of emergency service chiefs, shall develop emergency plans and manage the emergency programs of the city; and shall have such other powers and duties as may be assigned by the director.

(d)

The emergency services coordinator shall, under the supervision of the assistant director, plan and manage the day-to-day functions of the emergency services of the city and shall perform other emergency services duties as assigned by the assistant director.

(Ord. 365 §2, 1985; Ord. 239 §1(part), 1977).