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Sec. 2-271. - Preamble; findings.#
(a)
Federal and state policies and statutes place initial responsibility for meeting public emergency needs on local government.
(b)
By policy and statute, the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) require the town to promulgate and emergency plan which is to serve as a basis for disaster assistance if the capability of a local government is exceeded by its needs in an emergency.
(c)
The responsibility for fire protection, rescue services and emergency dispatch services for fire and rescue within the territorial limits of the town shall be exercised by an independently funded and separately chartered town fire district pursuant to state law.
(d)
Servicing grants which are available to the town for various emergency management purposes are vital in order to expand the town's limited resources. Any such funding must be sought, received, managed, prudently expended and accurately accounted for.
(e)
An effective emergency management system is essential for mitigating, preparing for, responding to and recovering from the effects of emergent hazards. This can be achieved by developing capabilities, seeking assistance, coordinating efforts, working with state and federal agencies to respond to and meet their requirements for plans and actions, and by insuring that the core responsive functions of direction and control, communications, warning, public information, evacuation, mass care, health and medical, and resource management can be accomplished by implementing the emergency operations plan.
(Ord. of 10-4-04, § 1; Ord. of 2-2-09, § 1)
Sec. 2-272. - Purpose.#
In order to effectuate these policies, and to respond to the needs identified above, the town council hereby adopts this emergency management ordinance to be added to the Exeter Code of Ordinances pursuant to Charter.
(Ord. of 10-4-04, § 2; Ord. of 2-2-09, § 1)
Sec. 2-273. - Adoption of emergency operations plan.#
In order to provide a framework in which the town's elected and appointed officials, department heads and emergency services personnel can plan and perform their respective emergency functions during a disaster or emergency in accordance with federal and state emergency management criteria, an emergency operations plan is hereby adopted consistent with that document entitled "Town of Exeter Emergency Management Agency, June 2004. Emergency Operations Plan" and such revisions and amendments thereto as may hereafter be adopted in conformity with local, State and Federal law. Copies of the emergency management plan and all duly adopted amendments and revisions thereto shall be maintained and available for public inspection at the office of the town clerk.
(Ord. of 10-4-04, § 3; Ord. of 2-2-09, § 1)
Sec. 2-274. - Creation and composition of town emergency management agency and emergency management board.#
There are hereby created, in accordance with federal, state and local law, and in conformity with the emergency operations plan, adopted herewith and emergency management agency and emergency management board which shall perform such duties and exercise such powers as enumerated in the emergency operations plan. The members of the emergency management board shall be the members of the town council and such other ad hoc or ex officio members as they deem necessary and proper to execute the powers and duties enumerated in the emergency management plan.
(Ord. of 10-4-04, § 4; Ord. of 2-2-09, § 1)
Sec. 2-275. - Emergency management agency powers, duties and personnel.#
The town emergency management agency shall serve at the direction of the town council president who shall be the chief executive official of the agency. The agency will coordinate the activities of all departments and offices having emergency management responsibilities with the resources of private organizations having emergency management functions. The emergency management agency shall be responsible for implementing all policies related to emergency management programs and activities in accordance with the emergency operations plan. The agency shall appoint a director and assistant director and such additional personnel as may be deemed necessary to perform the functions and duties enumerated in the emergency operations plan.
(Ord. of 10-4-04, § 5; Ord. of 2-2-09, § 1)
Sec. 2-276. - Chief executive official, powers and duties.#
As the chief executive official, the town council president shall have the ultimate responsibility for direction and control of activities related to emergencies and disasters in the town and shall perform such other duties and functions as enumerated in the emergency operations plan, including but not limited to, the authority to declare a "state of emergency" in the town.
(Ord. of 10-4-04, § 6; Ord. of 2-2-09, § 1)