[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Athens 4-19-2004
by L.L. No. 2-2004.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law supersedes former Ch. 15, Emergency
Preparedness Plan, adopted 12-27-1993, as amended.
This chapter may be known and cited as the "Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan Law for the Town of Athens."
A.Â
On occasion, disasters occur that threaten the public
health, safety and lives of the citizens of the Town of Athens. It is necessary
and desirable to ensure that all Town and local emergency agencies and personnel
coordinate their efforts to efficiently provide emergency relief and disaster
recovery aid.
B.Â
This plan results from the recognition on the part of
local government and state officials that a comprehensive plan is needed to
enhance the Town's ability to manage emergency/disaster situations. It
was prepared by Town of Athens Board-appointed Committee members, along with
the Coordinator of Special Projects and the Town Deputy Supervisor, in coordination
with the Greene County Emergency Preparedness Office, working as a team in
a planning effort recommended by the New York State Emergency Management Office.
This plan constitutes an integral part of a statewide emergency management
program and contributes to its effectiveness. Authority to undertake this
effort is provided by both Article 2-B of State Executive Law and the New
York State Defense Emergency Act.
C.Â
The development of this plan included an analysis of
potential hazards that could affect the Town and an assessment of the capabilities
existing in the Town to deal with potential problems.
Dealing with disasters is an ongoing and complex undertaking. Through
implementation of risk reduction measures before a disaster or emergency occurs,
timely and effective response during an actual occurrence, and provision of
both short- and long-term recovery assistance after the occurrence of a disaster,
lives can be saved and property damage minimized. This process is called "Comprehensive
Emergency Management" to emphasize the interrelationship of activities, functions
and expertise necessary to deal with emergencies. The plan contains three
sections to deal separately with each part of this ongoing process.
A.Â
Town departments' and agencies' emergency management
responsibilities are outlined in this plan. Assignments are made within the
framework of the present Town capability and existing organizational responsibilities.
The Emergency Management Coordinator is designated to coordinate all emergency
management activities of the Town.
B.Â
The Town of Athens intends to use the Incident Command
System (ICS) to respond to emergencies. ICS is a management tool for the command,
control and coordination of resources and personnel in an emergency.
C.Â
Town responsibilities are closely related to the responsibility
of the county level of government to manage all phases of an emergency. The
Town may be called to assist the other local governments in the county in
the event that other towns/villages have fully committed their resources and
are still unable to cope with any disaster. Greene County has the responsibility
to assist the Town of Athens in the event the Town has fully committed its
resources, and is still unable to cope with a disaster. Similarly, New York
State is obligated to provide assistance to the county after resources have
been exhausted and the county is unable to cope with the disaster.
D.Â
The plan describes in detail the centralized direction
of requests for assistance and the understanding that the governmental jurisdiction
most affected by an emergency is required to involve itself prior to requesting
assistance.
E.Â
Specific emergency management guidance for situations
requiring special knowledge, technical expertise, and resources may be addressed
in separate annexes attached to the plan. Examples of this type of situation
are emergencies resulting from hazardous chemical releases, flooding, fire,
snow/ice storms, terrorism, and/or power.
The plan provides general all-hazards management guidance, using existing
organizations, to allow the Town to meet its responsibilities before, during
and after an emergency.
The Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan, as filed with the Town
Clerk, is hereby adopted.
