[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of
Richfield 6-18-2009 by Ord. No. 2009-6-1 (Ch. 3 of prior Code). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
A.Â
Declaration of policy. Village officials have a constitutional and
statutory duty to protect public health and safety; therefore, the
Village will provide guidelines for the preparation for, response
to, and recovery from emergencies or disaster conditions within the
Village.
B.Â
Purpose.
(1)Â
By reason of the possibility of disasters or destructiveness and
to ensure that preparation will be adequate to cope with such disasters
and to provide for the common defense, to protect the public peace
and to preserve the lives and property of the people, it is necessary
to:
(a)Â
Establish an office of emergency management in the Village of
Richfield. This office will include the Emergency Management Committee
(EMC), Director of Emergency Management (DOEM), Public Information
Officer (PIO), and Damage Assessment Team (DAT).
(b)Â
Provide for exercise of necessary powers during emergencies.
(c)Â
Provide for the rendering of cooperation and mutual aid between
the Village and other political subdivisions.
(2)Â
It is further declared to be the purpose of this chapter and the
policy of the Village that all emergency management functions of the
Village be coordinated to the maximum extent applicable with existing
services and facilities of the Village, its comparable political subdivisions,
and the various private agencies to the end that the effective preparation
and use may be made of personnel, resources, and facilities for dealing
with any disasters that occur.
The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except when
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
All measures undertaken by or on behalf of the state, county
and the Village to prepare for and minimize the effects of enemy action
upon the civilian population.
Includes civil defense and means all measures undertaken
by or on behalf of the Village within the Village:
Hostile action by a foreign power that threatens the security
of the Village.
Disasters caused by floods; tornadoes; severe snow/ice storms;
fires; hazardous material spills; significant power outages; major
vehicle, train, boat, or airplane disasters; human pandemics; terrorism;
hostile action; and other natural or man-made disasters.
A.Â
Membership. The EMC shall consist of the following: Village President,
DOEM, Richfield Volunteer Fire Company Chief, Washington County Sheriff,
Village Administrator, Public Works Supervisor, and the Village Building
Inspector. The DOEM shall chair this Committee.[1]
B.Â
Powers and duties. The EMC shall be an advisory and planning committee
to establish and develop all programs and plans necessary to implement
effective emergency management in the Village. This Committee will
meet annually to review and upgrade the emergency management policy
and procedures.
A.Â
Appointment. The Village President shall appoint the DOEM subject
to confirmation by the Village Board.
B.Â
Powers and duties. The DOEM shall chair the EMC and shall be directly
responsible for the organization, administration, and operation of
emergency management activities, subject to the direction and control
of the Village Board. The Director shall:
(1)Â
Coordinate all activities for emergency management within the Village.
(2)Â
Maintain liaison and cooperation with emergency government agencies
and organizations of other local political subdivisions as well as
state and federal governments.
(3)Â
Participate in county and state emergency management activities upon
request.
(4)Â
In accordance with the Wisconsin State Emergency Management format
and the Washington County Ordinance of Compliance, develop and promulgate
a comprehensive emergency management operational plan for the Village
Board's approval. When the Board has approved the plan by resolution,
it shall be the duty of all municipal agencies and government forces
of the Village to perform the duties and functions assigned by such
plan as approved. The plan may be modified in like manner.
(5)Â
Have such additional authority, duties, and responsibilities as are
authorized by this chapter and which may, when necessary, be required
by the Village President.
A.Â
Appointment. The Village President shall appoint the PIO subject
to the confirmation of the Village Board.
B.Â
Powers and duties. The PIO shall provide censored information to
the media so as to keep the public informed of the emergency and any
safety measures necessary to protect the public. The PIO shall operate
under guidelines established in the emergency operations plan.
A.Â
Appointment. The Village President shall appoint the DAT subject
to the confirmation of the Village Board. The DAT shall consist of
one elected official, Village Building Inspector, Public Works Supervisor,
and at least two residents. Residents should have experience in the
following fields to evaluate the cost of damage: realtors, assessors,
insurance adjustors, or building, electrical, and plumbing inspectors.
B.Â
Powers and duties. The DAT shall assess private and public damage
and provide a preliminary "Uniform Disaster Situation Report" to the
Village President and Washington County DOEM as soon as reasonably
possible for possible aid from federal/state/county agencies.
A.Â
Plans. Upon receipt, in the Village, of a declaration of an emergency
by the President of the United States, Governor of the State of Wisconsin,
Washington County Board Chair, Village President, or in absence of
the Village President, the person in charge pursuant to the order
of succession, the DOEM shall see that all proclamations have been
issued and disseminated with reference to the state of emergency and
shall cause such emergency plans and operations to be placed into
effect as are deemed necessary to cope with the situation. Such state
of emergency shall continue until terminated by the issuing authority,
provided that any such declaration not issued by the President or
Governor may be terminated at the discretion of the Village President.
Whenever necessary, to meet a duly proclaimed emergency for
which adequate regulations have not been adopted by the Village Board,
the Village President and/or the DOEM may enforce such orders, rules,
and regulations as shall be deemed necessary to protect the public
peace, health and safety, preserve lives and property, preserve economic
stability, ensure cooperation, and regulate the conduct of the public.
In preparing and executing the emergency management plan, the
DOEM shall utilize the services, equipment, supplies, and facilities
of the existing departments and agencies of the Village and its political
subdivisions to the extent practicable. The officers and personnel
of such departments and agencies are directed to provide such services,
facilities, and equipment as may be required.
The DOEM may, subject to the approval of the EMC and the Village
Board, enter into mutual aid agreements with other political subdivisions
within Washington County, pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes and the Wisconsin
Emergency Operations Plan. A copy of such agreements shall be filed
with state and county directors of emergency management.
It shall be unlawful for any person to willfully obstruct, hinder,
or delay any member of emergency management in the enforcement of
any order, rule, regulation, or plan issued pursuant to this chapter
or do any act forbidden by an order, rule, regulation, or plan pursuant
to the authority contained in this chapter. For violation of any of
the provisions in this section such person shall forfeit not less
than $100 nor more than $500 and, in default of payment thereof, shall
be imprisoned in the county jail for a period not exceeding 90 days
or until such forfeiture shall have been paid.