To ensure that the City of Prescott will be able to deal with
disasters of unprecedented size and destruction resulting from fire,
flood, tornado, blizzard, destructive winds or other natural causes,
or from sabotage, hostile action, or from hazardous materials mishaps,
and to provide for adequate preparation to deal with such disasters,
and to provide for the common defense and to protect the public and
to preserve the life and property of the people of the City it is
hereby found and declared necessary to:
A. Establish a City emergency management organization responsible for
City planning and preparation for emergency government operations
in time of disasters.
B. Provide for the exercise of necessary powers during emergencies and
disasters.
C. Provide for the rendering of mutual aid between this City and other
political subdivisions of this state and of other states with respect
to the carrying out of emergency preparedness functions.
D. Comply with provisions of Wisconsin Statutes which require that each
political subdivision of Wisconsin shall establish a local organization
for emergency management.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
DISASTER
A situation which creates an immediate and serious impairment
to the health and safety of any person, or a situation which has resulted
in or is likely to result in catastrophic loss to property, and in
which the traditional sources of relief and assistance within the
affected area are unable to repair or prevent the loss or injury.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
The preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency
functions, other than functions for which military forces are primarily
responsible, to prevent, minimize, and repair injury and damage resulting
from disasters caused by fire, flood, tornado, and other acts of nature,
or from sabotage, hostile action, or from hazardous materials mishaps.
These functions include, without limitation, fire-fighting services,
police services, emergency medical services, engineering, warning
services, communications, radiological and chemical monitoring and
mitigation, evacuation, congregate care, emergency transportation,
existing or properly assigned functions of plant protection, temporary
restoration of public utility services and other functions related
to civil protection, together with all other activities necessary
or incidental for carrying out of the foregoing functions. Emergency
management includes those activities sometimes referred to as "civil
defense" functions.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FORCES
Total personnel resources engaged in City-level emergency
management functions in accordance with the provisions of this chapter
or any rules or order thereunder. This includes personnel from City
departments, authorized volunteers, and private organizations and
agencies.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION
The staff element responsible for coordinating City-level
planning and preparation for disaster response. This organization
provides City liaison and coordinates with federal, state, and local
jurisdictions relative to disaster preparedness activities and assures
implementation of federal and state program requirements.
There is hereby created within the City government an emergency
management organization which shall be under the supervision and control
of the City Emergency Management Directorship, hereinafter called
the "Director." The Director shall be appointed by the Mayor and approved
by the Common Council for an indefinite term and may be removed by
the Mayor at any time. The Director shall serve at a salary determined
by the City and shall be paid his or her necessary expenses. The Director
shall have direct responsibility for the organization, administration,
and operational emergency preparedness organization, subject to the
direction and control of the Mayor.
All functions hereunder and all other activities related to
emergency management are hereby declared to be governmental functions.
The provisions of this section shall not affect the right of a person
to receive benefits to which he/she would otherwise be entitled under
this chapter or under the Workers' Compensation Law, or under
any pension law, or the right of any such person to receive any benefits
or compensation under any act of Congress.