The definitions of "emergency management" and
related terms used in this chapter shall be the same as the definitions
provided in § 28-1, Chapter 517 of the Connecticut General
Statutes.
By authority of § 28-7 of the Connecticut
General Statutes, an organization of Town government to be known as
the "Department of Emergency Management" is hereby established.[2]
The established Department of Emergency Management
is to be under the direction and supervision of a Director of Emergency
Management. The Director shall be responsible for the organization,
administration and operation of said local organization. A Deputy
Director shall assume the duties of the Department in the absence
of the Director.
The Director of Emergency Management and Deputy Director
shall be appointed by the chief executive officer of the Town and
shall serve at the will of the chief executive officer. The Director
and/or Deputy Director may be removed from office at any time by the
chief executive officer.
The Director shall advise the chief executive officer
on all emergency management matters and related laws, rules, regulations
and requirements of Title 28 of the Connecticut General Statutes,
Public Act 87-535,[3] the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950 and the Federal
Natural Disaster Relief Act of 1974.
The Director of Emergency Management shall develop,
organize, direct and coordinate the Town's Emergency Management Program
with the goal of saving lives and protecting property by maintaining
emergency operational capabilities that mitigate, prepare for, respond
to and recover from any emergency or disaster.
The Director shall develop and organize the Emergency
Management Program in accordance with local, state and federal emergency
management requirements.
The Director of Emergency Management shall coordinate
the activities of all Town departments, agencies and offices and the
activities of all volunteer organizations but in no instance shall
assume direction and control of any Town department, agency or office
unless directed by written authority from the chief executive officer.
The Director shall be responsible for the development
and maintenance of the Town's Emergency Operations Plan. The Emergency
Operations Plan shall become effective upon the signature of the chief
executive officer and updated according to state statutes.
The Director of Emergency Management shall be responsible
for the coordination of training and exercises required to maintain
adequate emergency management and emergency response capabilities
in the Town.
The Director shall maintain continuous contact with
the State Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
and shall prepare and submit reports and all paperwork necessary to
ensure that the Town qualifies for and receives all possible funding,
equipment and other benefits or assistance available from the state
and/or the federal emergency management program. All requests for
outside funding and/or assistance shall be in accordance with established
local procedures.
Each department, agency and office of Town government
required to have an annex to the Town's Emergency Operations Plan
shall develop and maintain such annex in accordance with local, state
and federal emergency management requirements.
Each department, agency and office of Town government
shall cooperate with the Director of Emergency Management to the fullest
extent possible in the development and maintenance of the local Emergency
Management Program.
The chief executive officer of the Town is responsible
for the protection of the health and safety of all residents and all
people in the Town, the protection of property and the preservation
of the local government organization and structure.
The chief executive officer of the Town shall ensure
that the local emergency management organization develops and maintains
the capability of local government necessary to respond to any emergency
or disaster that may affect the Town.
During emergency or disaster situations, the chief
executive officer has the power and authority to issue emergency and/or
disaster declarations and exercise any and all powers granted by the
Town Charter deemed reasonable and necessary for the protection of
residents and people in the Town, the protection of property and the
preservation of local government.
A Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) shall
be established by appointment by the chief executive officer of the
Town and shall meet at least once a year.[1]
The LEPC's primary function is to plan and direct
the Town's emergency management programs in accordance with local,
state and federal emergency management requirements.
The LEPC shall contain representatives of Town departments,
agencies and offices and nongovernmental groups, business and labor
concerned with public safety and emergency management and shall serve
in an advisory capacity to the chief executive officer.
Other members of the LEPC shall be representatives
from the Town Council, the school system, Health Department, Conservation
and Water Resources Commission and local industry appointed by the
chief executive officer.
The Chief of Police, Fire Marshal and Public Works
Director or their designated representatives shall serve so long as
they hold their office within the Town.
LEPC members appointed from the Town Council, the
school system, Health Department and Conservation and Water Resources
Commission and local industry shall serve so long as they remain members
of the represented body or until removed by the chief executive officer.