[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
West Reading 3-20-2007 by Ord.
No. 950 (Ch. I, Part 14, of the 1993 Code of Ordinances);
amended in its entirety 2-19-2013 by Ord. No. 1021. Subsequent amendments noted where
applicable.]
A local emergency management agency comprised of various Berks
County municipalities is established to provide the residents and
citizens of the respective municipalities and communities with more
efficient, responsive, cost effective and competent emergency management
services consistent with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Services Code and with the objectives of protecting the
health, safety and welfare of municipal residents and landowners.
The regional emergency management agency shall assume the responsibilities
and functions assigned by law to each participating municipality.
This chapter is adopted pursuant to authority granted in:
A.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code, Act 323 of November
26, 1978 (35 Pa.C.S.A. § 7101 et seq.) as amended, or as
it may be amended from time to time;
B.
The Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, Act 177 of 1996
(53 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301 et seq.) as amended, or as it may be
amended from time to time.
The following words or phrases, when used in this chapter, shall
have the meanings indicated:
The West Side Regional Emergency Management Agency created
by various Berks County municipalities under and pursuant to this
chapter and similar ordinances under authority of the Code.
The Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement which governs
the Agency and its affairs, a copy of which is on file at the office
of the Borough, as duly amended, or as it may be duly amended and/or
restated from time to time.
The Borough of West Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
The Borough Council of the Borough of West Reading, Berks
County, Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code, Act
323 of 1978 (35 Pa.C.S.A. § 7101 et seq.) as amended, or
as it may be amended from time to time.
Pursuant to and in accordance with the above-referenced authority,
the Borough is hereby authorized to become a member of and to participate
in the Agency, and hereby delegates its responsibilities under the
Code to the Agency in accordance with the authority granted in the
above-referenced laws and this chapter.
Pursuant to and in accordance with the above-referenced authority,
the Borough is hereby authorized and directed to enter into the agreement.
The Agency created and existing under and by virtue of the authority
of the Code and this chapter shall be comprised of representatives
of the municipalities creating and participating in the Agency. The
participation of the Borough in the Agency shall be governed and controlled
by the terms and conditions of the agreement, the provisions of applicable
Pennsylvania laws and regulations, and such other policies as may
be duly adopted by the Agency in accordance with the agreement.
The Agency and its activities shall be operated with funds provided
by the participating municipalities in accordance with the provisions
of the agreement and such other grants and/or funding as may be available.
The Agency, and the agreement governing it, shall be for an
indefinite term and dependent upon the continued participation of
the various member municipalities. Participating municipalities may
withdraw from the Agency upon reasonable notice as provided for in
the agreement.
A.
In accordance with the agreement, the Borough Council shall appoint
individuals to serve on the Agency Council.
B.
The Borough Council shall authorize, budget, appropriate and pay
in a timely manner such initial and annual fees and other necessary
charges as provided for in the agreement to provide the Agency with
fiscal resources for its operational requirements.
C.
Borough officials and employees shall cooperate fully with the Agency
to accomplish the goals and objectives of the Agency.
The powers and duties of the Agency, its officials, employees
and representatives shall be as set forth in this chapter, in the
agreement and in the other laws, regulations and instruments governing
its organization and operation and shall include the following:
A.
The Agency Council, in consultation with the Technical Committee,
shall designate an individual
to serve as the Emergency Management Coordinator and shall name a
member of the Technical Committee (as defined in the agreement) from
each member municipality to serve as Deputy Emergency Management Coordinators
for the region comprising the participating municipalities with responsibility
for operational control of emergency response operations within the
territorial limits of the Agency.
B.
Subject to review and approval of each participating municipality,
the Agency shall prepare and maintain a joint Emergency Operations
Plan that can be implemented for response to emergencies affecting
the participating municipalities.
C.
Subject to review and approval of each participating municipality,
the Agency shall be responsible for planning and resource development
for emergency operations within the territorial limits of the participating
municipalities.
D.
Subject to review and approval of each participating municipality,
the Agency shall carry out all other powers and duties of the participating
municipalities as set forth in the Code at 35 Pa.C.S.A. § 7503.
All property shall be acquired, managed or disposed of pursuant
to the agreement in accordance with the terms of the agreement. No
acquisition of real property or real estate is authorized.
Although there is no current authority for Agency employees,
in the event the Agency is subsequently granted authority under the
agreement to hire employees, then the Agency shall be empowered to
enter into contracts for policies of group insurance and employee
benefits, including Social Security for its employees.
