[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 1]
A local emergency management agency is hereby established and
shall be known as the "Watsontown Emergency Management Agency."
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 2]
The Watsontown Emergency Management Agency is established under
the authority of and in accordance with the laws of Pennsylvania as
set forth in 35 Pa.C.S.A. § 7501 et seq.
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 3]
The Watsontown Emergency Management Agency shall have the responsibility
for emergency management and disaster response and recovery within
the Borough of Watsontown. The Watsontown Emergency Management Agency
shall also provide support services to the public-safety and governmental
units of the Borough of Watsontown, as requested by duly-authorized
officials, and shall provide emergency management and disaster response
and recovery services outside the Borough of Watsontown as provided
for by this Part 3.
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 4]
1. A local disaster emergency may be declared by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Watsontown or the Mayor of the Borough of Watsontown.
Any other Borough officer or official authorized to declare a local
disaster emergency may declare a disaster emergency subject to ratification
by the Borough Council.
2. A local disaster emergency may be declared upon finding a disaster
has occurred or is imminent.
3. The declaration of a local disaster emergency shall not be continued
or renewed for a period in excess of 168 hours except by consent of
the Watsontown Borough Council.
4. Any order or proclamation declaring, continuing or terminating a
local disaster emergency shall be given prompt and general publicity,
and a copy of any such order or proclamation shall be filed promptly
with the Watsontown Emergency Management Agency, the Northumberland
County Emergency Management Agency, and the Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Agency.
5. Upon declaration of a local disaster emergency, the management, response
and recovery aspects of any and all local emergency management plans
shall be activated, and the provision for aid and assistance thereunder
shall be authorized.
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 5]
Upon declaration of a disaster emergency, the Borough of Watsontown,
pursuant to 35 Pa.C.S.A. § 7301(c) (relating to general
authority of the Governor), shall be authorized to disregard time-consuming
procedures and formalities prescribed by law (excepting mandatory
constitutional requirements) pertaining to the performance of public
work, entering into contracts, the incurring of obligations, the employment
of temporary workers, the rental of equipment, the purchase of supplies
and materials, the levying of taxes and the appropriation and expenditure
of public funds. In addition, the Borough of Watsontown shall be authorized
to avail itself of the provisions of the Act of August 5, 1941 (P.L.
752, No. 286), known as the "Civil Service Act," in connection with the employment of personnel in local
organizations.
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 6]
1. The Watsontown Emergency Management Agency shall have a Coordinator
who shall be responsible for the planning, administration and operation
of the agency subject to the direction of the Mayor and Borough Council.
2. The Coordinator of the Watsontown Emergency Management Agency shall
be appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania upon
recommendation of the Watsontown Borough Council. The Watsontown Borough
Council may, upon agreement by resolution with adjoining municipalities,
recommend a Coordinator for emergency management activities in two
or more political subdivisions of the commonwealth. A local government
official may be recommended for appointment, notwithstanding any other
law.
3. The Coordinator of the Watsontown Emergency Management Agency shall:
A. Attend and successfully complete the first phase of the career development
program as prescribed by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
within one year after appointment.
B. Attend and successfully complete the second phase of the career development
program as prescribed by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
within three years after appointment.
C. Attend basic and advanced seminars, workshops and training conferences
called by the State Emergency Management Director and/or other Pennsylvania
Emergency Management Agency officials having responsibility for providing
the Coordinator with in-service training.
D. Failure to attend and successfully complete the career development
program phases, as provided above, or failure to attend a prescribed
training program for two consecutive years shall be cause for replacement
of the Coordinator of the Watsontown Emergency Management Agency.
4. The Borough of Watsontown shall be authorized to reimburse the appointed
Coordinator for actual expenses incurred as the result of his/her
attendance at scheduled meetings and training programs.
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 7]
1. The Watsontown Emergency Management Agency shall hereby be specifically
directed by the Borough of Watsontown to:
A. Prepare,
maintain and keep current a disaster emergency plan for the prevention
and minimization of injury and damage caused by disaster, for prompt
and effective response to disaster and for disaster emergency relief
and recovery in consonance with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management
Plan and the plans of the Northumberland County Emergency Management
Agency.
B. Establish,
equip and staff an emergency operations center.
C. Undertake
efforts and programs consolidating warning and communications systems
and plans to support governmental operations in emergencies.
D. Provide
essential facilities and equipment to agencies and activities assigned
emergency functions.
E. Provide
individual and organizational training programs for police officers,
firefighters, rescue personnel, ambulance personnel, emergency management
volunteers and the general public to insure prompt, efficient and
effective disaster emergency services.
F. In conjunction
with the police, fire, rescue and emergency medical services of the
Borough of Watsontown and with the Northumberland County Emergency
Management Agency and the local emergency health services council,
provide support for citizen training programs stressing various safety
aspects.
G. Organize,
prepare and coordinate all locally available manpower, materials,
supplies, equipment, facilities and necessary items for disaster emergency
readiness, response and recovery.
H. Adopt
and implement precautionary measures to mitigate the anticipated effects
of a disaster.
I. Execute
and enforce such rules, regulations and orders as the Watsontown Emergency
Management Agency may adopt pursuant to the provisions of this Part
3.
J. Cooperate
and coordinate with any public and private agencies or entities in
achieving the purpose of this Part 3.
K. Have available
for inspection at its emergency management operations center all emergency
management plans, rules, regulations and orders of the Governor and
the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
(1) Provide
prompt and accurate information regarding local disaster emergencies
to appropriate commonwealth and local officials and agencies and the
general public.
L. Make monthly
reports to the Watsontown Borough Council on the status and programs
of the Watsontown Emergency Management Agency, its personnel, programs
and plans.
M. Execute
and enforce such rules and orders as may be adopted by the Pennsylvania
Emergency Management Agency.
N. Make timely
recommendations to and secure the consent of the Watsontown Borough
Council concerning the development of plans, the acquisition of materials,
supplies and equipment and the development of a budget for the agency,
except as provided for in disaster emergencies.
O. Identify
areas particularly vulnerable to disasters.
P. Upon request
of the Mayor, the Borough Council or a duly authorized Borough official,
assist the Borough of Watsontown and/or its police, fire, rescue or
emergency medical services in handling and coordinating special, nondisaster
emergencies and situations.
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 8; as amended by Ord.
2000-2, 3/6/2000]
1. In support of the program and activities of the Watsontown Emergency
Management Agency, the Watsontown Borough Council shall appoint, upon
recommendation of the Emergency Management Coordinator, an Emergency
Management Advisory Council consisting of 10 members. Members of the
Emergency Advisory Council shall include the Mayor, a representative
of the Watsontown Borough Council, the Chief of the Watsontown Police
Department, the Chief of the West Branch Volunteer Fire Company No.
1, the Borough Manager, a practicing physician or nurse and four at-large
residents of the community.
A. With the exception of the at-large resident members, the members
of the Emergency Management Advisory Council shall serve continuously
during his term of public office except for physician or nurse who
shall serve until replaced by the Borough Council.
B. Upon initial appointment to the Emergency Management Advisory Council,
one at-large resident shall serve a term of one year, two shall serve
terms of two years and one shall serve a term of three years. Thereafter,
at-large resident representatives shall be appointed for three-year
terms.
C. At-large resident members of the Emergency Management Advisory Council
shall serve no more than three consecutive years.
2. The Watsontown Emergency Management Advisory Council shall:
A. Elect its own Chairmen and other officers as the body may deem appropriate.
B. Provide recommendations and assistance to the Coordinator as deemed
appropriate concerning the plans, activities and role of the Watsontown
Emergency Management Agency.
C. Assist in the preparation and maintenance of the Watsontown Disaster
Emergency Plan.
D. Recruit and assist in the training of emergency personnel and represent
the Watsontown Emergency Management Agency at training programs, seminars
and public meetings.
E. Provide whatever other aid or assistance that the Coordinator may
request.
3. Upon recommendation of the Coordinator of the Watsontown Emergency
Management Agency, the Watsontown Borough Council may appoint two
Deputy Coordinators.
A. The Deputy Coordinator shall assume the duties and responsibilities
of the Coordinator in his/her absence.
B. The Deputy Coordinator shall generally assist the Coordinator in
the performance of his/her duties and responsibilities.
C. It is recommended that the Deputy Coordinators will:
(1)
Attend and successfully complete the first phase of the career
development program as described by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management
Agency within one year following their appointment.
(2)
Attend basic and advanced seminars, workshops and training sessions
called by the State Emergency Management Directors and/or other Pennsylvania
Emergency Management Agency officials responsible for providing in-service
training.
(3)
Failure to complete the career development program, unless prohibited
by state regulation, or failure to attend basic and advanced seminars,
workshops and training sessions for two consecutive years shall be
cause for the removal the Deputy Coordinator(s).
4. The Borough of Watsontown shall be authorized to reimburse the Deputy
Coordinator(s) for actual expenses incurred as a result of attendance
at scheduled meetings and training programs.
5. The Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator(s) of the Watsontown Emergency
Management Agency shall serve as ex officio members of the Watsontown
Emergency Management Advisory Council.
6. The Coordinator and Deputy Coordinator(s) shall serve four-year terms
as appointed by the Watsontown Borough Council.
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 9]
The Coordinator of the Watsontown Emergency Management Agency
shall develop and maintain mutual aid agreements with adjacent political
subdivisions for reciprocal emergency assistance. The agreements shall
be consistent with the plans and programs of the Pennsylvania Emergency
Management Agency. The agreements shall stipulate that direction of
emergency disaster assistance is the responsibility of the lowest
level of government affected, that the county emergency management
agency shall provide coordination and support when more than one political
subdivision within Northumberland County is affected, and that the
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency or its area organization
shall provide coordination and support when two or more counties are
affected. In disaster emergencies, requests for mutual aid assistance
shall be referred to the organization, as outlined above, having responsibility
for coordination and, in time of emergency, it shall be the duty of
the Watsontown Emergency Management Agency to render assistance in
accordance with these mutual aid agreements. In all case, support
services provided from outside the affected area shall remain under
the command and control of the providing area.
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 10]
1. Except during local disaster emergencies, the Watsontown Borough
Council shall:
A. Approve all expenditures of the Watsontown Emergency Management Agency
in advance.
B. Approve attendance and participation of personnel of the Emergency
Management Agency at training sessions, seminars and meetings.
C. Review and approve the Watsontown Emergency Management Plan.
2. All mutual aid agreements (§
1-309) shall be ratified by the Watsontown Borough Council and by the governing bodies of the other, affected municipalities prior to implementation.
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 11]
Any gifts or grants of monies made to the Watsontown Emergency
Management Agency or to the Borough of Watsontown for the payment
of expenses incurred or to be incurred by or for the Watsontown Emergency
Management Agency shall be deposited in the treasury of the Borough
of Watsontown and shall be appropriated only for the purpose for which
the gift or grants were made.
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 12]
Nothing in this Part 3 shall be construed as prohibiting the
Watsontown Emergency Management Agency or the Watsontown Emergency
Management Advisory Council from providing representation to other
boards or agencies as outside emergency management advisory boards,
emergency health services councils, regional communications committees,
that coordinate with or otherwise impact the delivery of emergency
management services.
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 13]
The Watsontown Emergency Management Agency shall, with the approval
of the Watsontown Borough Council, adopt such insignia and/or identifying
marks or markings as are necessary to ensure the correct, prompt identification
of its personnel, equipment and facilities.
[Ord. 1984-2, 4/2/1984, § 14]
The provisions of the Emergency Management Services Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (35 Pa.C.S.A. § 7101 et seq.) shall govern the emergency management activities of the Borough of Watsontown and the Watsontown Emergency Management Agency and its Watsontown Emergency Management Advisory Council except in circumstances where the Emergency Management Services Code does not address local provisions or conditions provided for by this Part
3.