[Adopted 11-24-2009 by Bill No. 1175[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 24, Art. III, Emergency Services Management Advisory Board, adopted 11-23-1999 by Bill No. 740, as amended.
As used in this article, the following words have the meanings indicated:
BOARD
The Emergency Services Advisory Board ("ESAB").
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Emergency Services ("DES").
The Department of Emergency Services ("DES") is hereby created subject to the direction, supervision, and control of the Director of Emergency Services under the authority of the County Manager and County Council. DES shall be responsible for the administration, coordination, and operation of emergency medical services, emergency management, emergency communications, and other emergency services as assigned, delegated or required by law.
DES is responsible for emergency management within the County in accordance with Md. Code Ann., Public Safety Art., Title 14, Emergency Management, § 14-109, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA),[1] the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986 (EPCRA)[2] and other applicable federal, state, or local laws.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 11001 et seq.
DES is responsible for the delivery of emergency medical services within the County in accordance with the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Title 30, Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS).
DES is responsible for the delivery of 9-1-1 emergency telephone system services within the County in accordance with the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Title 12, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
The Emergency Services Advisory Board shall consist of 10 voting members and the following ex officio members, all of whom shall be residents of the County.
A. 
Ex officio members:
(1) 
Director of the Talbot County DES or designee.
(2) 
The DES Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division Chief or designee.
(3) 
The DES 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Division Chief or designee.
(4) 
The DES Emergency Management Division Chief or designee.
(5) 
The Talbot County School Safety and Transportation Manager or designee.
B. 
The term of an ex officio member shall continue during the term of his/her employment and shall automatically terminate upon separation from such employment.
C. 
Appointed members and their successors shall be as follows:
(1) 
Two members nominated by the Talbot County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association;
(2) 
One member nominated by Shore Health Systems, Inc.;
(3) 
One at-large member nominated by the County Council, who shall be a full-time employee of a law enforcement agency in Talbot County;
(4) 
One at-large Fire Department member nominated by the County Council; and
(5) 
Five citizen members, one from each of the following election districts: Bay Hundred, St. Michaels, Easton, Trappe, and Chapel. Citizen members shall not be employed by Talbot County or any entity entitled to representation as either a voting or ex officio member.
D. 
Nominees shall be subject to approval and appointment by the County Council. Members shall serve three-year staggered terms, except for the initial terms. Initial terms shall commence on February 1, 2010, as follows:
(1) 
Members from Trappe, Easton, and one member from the Talbot County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association: one year.
(2) 
Members from St. Michaels, Chapel, and Shore Health Systems, Inc.: two years.
(3) 
Members from Bay Hundred, the remaining members from the Talbot County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, at-large law enforcement member, and the at-large Fire Department member: three years.
E. 
Vacancies occurring prior to expiration of a term shall be filled in the same manner as an original appointment for the unexpired term.
F. 
The Board shall annually elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from its membership and shall adopt rules of procedure to govern its meetings.
G. 
Members of the Board shall receive no compensation for their services.
H. 
A majority of the voting members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; decisions of the Board shall be by majority vote of the members present at a duly constituted meeting.
I. 
All meetings shall be open to the public unless applicable Maryland law permits an executive or closed session; and in that event, the meeting may be closed in accordance with law.
J. 
The Board shall meet as necessary, but no less than quarterly.
K. 
The Board shall report its activities to the County Council no less than annually and at such other times as may be requested by the County Manager or the County Council.
The Board shall:
A. 
Act as an advisory body to the County Council regarding emergency services.
B. 
Advise the County Council regarding equipment, standard operating procedures, education and training requirements, and quality of emergency services.
C. 
Encourage development of cooperative programs among the various municipalities, organizations, and providers of emergency services throughout the County, including volunteer fire companies, ambulance services, medical services, disaster relief organizations, and others; and federal, state, and local agencies, boards, departments and commissions.
D. 
Assist the County regarding emergency services, public information, and education.