[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Newtown as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 1-2-1996 by Ord. No. 534 (Ch. 75, Art. I, of the 1982 Code)]
The following words and phrases, when used in this article, shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:
DISASTER
A man-made disaster, natural disaster or war-caused disaster.
DISASTER EMERGENCY
Those conditions which may, by investigation made, be found, actually or likely, to:
A. 
Affect seriously the safety, health or welfare of a substantial number of citizens of this municipality or preclude the operation or use of essential public facilities;
B. 
Be of such magnitude or severity as to render essential state supplementation of county and local efforts or resources exerted or utilized in alleviating the danger, damage, suffering or hardship faced; and
C. 
Have been caused by forces beyond the control of man, by reason of civil disorder, riot or disturbance, or by factors not foreseen and not known to exist when appropriation bills were enacted.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
The judicious planning, assignment or coordination of all available resources in an integrated program of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery for emergencies of any kind, whether from attack, man-made or natural sources.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
The preparation for and the carrying out of functions other than functions for which military forces are primarily responsible, to prevent, minimize and provide emergency repair of injuries and damages resulting from disasters, together with all other activities necessary or incidental to the preparation or the carrying out of those functions. The functions include, without limitation, firefighting services, police services, medical and health services, rescue, engineering, disaster warning services, communications, radiological, shelter, chemical and other special weapons defense, evacuation of persons from stricken areas, emergency welfare services, emergency transportation, emergency resources management, existing or properly assigned functions of plan protection, temporary restoration of public utility services and other functions related to civilian protection.
LOCAL EMERGENCY
The conditions declared by the local governing body when in its judgment the threat or actual occurrence of a disaster is or threatens to be of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant coordinated local government action to prevent or alleviate the damage, loss, hardship or suffering threatened or caused thereby. A "local emergency" arising wholly or substantially out of a resource shortage may be declared only by the Governor, upon petition of the local governing body, when he deems the threat or actual occurrence of a disaster to be of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant coordinated local government action to prevent or alleviate the damage, loss, hardship or suffering threatened or caused thereby.
LOCAL ORGANIZATION
A local emergency management organization.
MAN-MADE DISASTER
Any industrial, nuclear or transportation accident, explosion, conflagration, power failure, natural resource shortages or other conditions, except enemy action, resulting from man-made causes, such as oil spills and other injurious environmental contamination, which threatens or causes substantial damage to property, human suffering, hardship or loss of life.
NATURAL DISASTER
Any hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, earthquake, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, drought, fire, explosion or other catastrophe which results in substantial damage to property, hardship, suffering or possible loss of life.
WAR-CAUSED DISASTER
Any condition following an attack upon the United States resulting in substantial damage to property or injury to persons in the United States caused by use of bombs, missiles, shellfire, nuclear, radiological, chemical or biological means, or other weapons or overt paramilitary actions or other conditions such as sabotage.
A local emergency management organization is hereby established and shall be known as the "Newtown Borough Emergency Management Organization."
The Newtown Borough Emergency Management Organization is established pursuant to the provisions of the Emergency Management Services Code (35 Pa.C.S.A. § 7101 et seq.).
The Newtown Borough Emergency Management Organization shall have the responsibility for emergency management and disaster response and recovery within Newtown Borough. The Newtown Borough Emergency Management organization shall also provide emergency management and disaster response and recovery services outside the Borough of Newtown as required by the terms and conditions of this article.
A. 
A local disaster emergency may be declared by Council upon finding that a disaster has occurred or is imminent. The Council hereby authorizes one or more officials of the Borough as set forth hereafter to declare a local disaster emergency subject to ratification by the Council. Such authorization to declare a local disaster may be granted in descending order of rank, depending upon the availability of said officers. The declaration of a local disaster emergency shall be ratified by the Council except where it is determined that a duly authorized official has grossly abused his/her discretion in declaring a local emergency or the circumstances warranting the declaration of a local disaster.
B. 
The succession of authority to declare a local disaster emergency shall be as follows:
[Amended 4-13-2010 by Ord. No. 702]
(1) 
Mayor of Newtown Borough.
(2) 
President of Borough Council, acting as Mayor of Newtown Borough in the absence of the Mayor of Newtown Borough.
(3) 
Vice President of Borough Council, acting as Mayor of Newtown Borough in the absence of the Mayor of Newtown Borough and the absence of the President of Borough Council.
Upon declaration of a disaster emergency, the Borough of Newtown, pursuant to § 7501(c) of the Emergency Management Services Code,[1] shall be authorized to exercise the powers granted in this article without regard to time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law (except mandatory constitutional requirements) pertaining to the performance of public works, 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.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 Pa.C.S.A. § 7501(c).
A. 
The Newtown Borough Emergency Management Organization shall have a Coordinator, who shall be responsible for the planning, administration and operation of the Organization subject to the direction and control of the Council.
B. 
The Coordinator of the Newtown Borough Emergency Management Organization shall be appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania upon recommendation of the Newtown Borough Council. The Newtown Borough Emergency Management Coordinator shall serve at the pleasure of Council.
C. 
The Coordinator of Newtown Borough Emergency Management Organization shall:
(1) 
Be professionally competent and capable of planning, effecting and coordinating operations among agencies of government and controlling coordinated operations by local emergency preparedness forces.
(2) 
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.
(3) 
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.
(4) 
Attend basic and advanced seminars, workshops and training conferences called by the Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and/or its Directors of Training and Education.
D. 
The Borough of Newtown will reimburse its coordinator for actual expenses incurring as the result of his/her attendance at scheduled meetings and training programs.
The Newtown Borough Emergency Management Organization is hereby directed to:
A. 
Prepare, maintain and keep current a disaster emergency plan for the Borough of Newtown 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 Bucks County Emergency Management Plan.
B. 
Establish, equip and staff an emergency operations center for the Borough of Newtown.
C. 
Establish a warning and communications system for the Borough of Newtown that will support governmental operations in emergencies.
D. 
Provide essential facilities and equipment to those agencies and organizations that have been assigned emergency functions under the provisions of this article.
E. 
Provide individual and organizational training programs to ensure prompt, efficient and effective disaster emergency services.
F. 
Organize, prepare, administer and coordinate all locally available manpower, materials, supplies, equipment, facilities necessary for disaster emergency readiness, response and recovery.
G. 
Adopt and implement precautionary measures to mitigate the anticipated effects of a disaster.
H. 
Execute and enforce such rules, regulations and orders as the Newtown Borough Emergency Management Organization may establish pursuant to the provisions of this article.
I. 
Cooperate and coordinate with any public and private agencies or entities in achieving any purpose of this article.
J. 
Have available for inspection at Newtown Borough Council chambers all emergency management plans, rules, regulations and orders of the Governor and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
K. 
Provide prompt and accurate information regarding local disaster emergencies to appropriate commonwealth and local officials and agencies and the general public.
L. 
Provide prompt and general publicity to any order or proclamation declaring, continuing or terminating a local disaster emergency. Notice of such orders or proclamation shall be promptly filed with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.
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 Borough of Newtown 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 within the Borough of Newtown that are particularly vulnerable to disaster.
P. 
Assist the Borough of Newtown and/or its police, fire, rescue or emergency medical services in handling and coordinating special, non-disaster emergencies and situations if in the judgment of the Emergency Management Coordinator such assistance is required.
Q. 
Generally be responsible for the planning, administration and operation of the local emergency management organization.
The local coordinators of emergency management shall develop mutual aid agreements for reciprocal emergency assistance. Any mutual aid agreement shall be approved by the Council prior to implementation.
Except during local disaster emergencies, the Council shall:
A. 
Approve all expenditures of the Newtown Borough Emergency Management Organization in advance.
B. 
Approve attendance and participation of personnel of the Emergency Management Organization at training sessions, seminars and meetings.
The Newtown Borough Emergency Management Organization may, with the approval of the Council, adopt such insignia and/or other identifying marks or markings as are necessary to ensure the correct, prompt identification of its personnel, equipment and facilities.
The provisions of the Emergency Management Services Code of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Act 1978, No. 323 (P.L. 1332),[1] shall govern the emergency management activities of the Borough of Newtown and the Newtown Borough Emergency Management Organization, except in circumstances where the Emergency Management Services Code does not address local provisions or conditions provided for by this article.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 Pa.C.S.A. § 7101 et seq.
Whenever the requirements of this article are in conflict with other requirements of the Code of the Borough of Newtown, the most restrictive or those imposing the higher standards shall govern.
[Adopted 12-11-2001 by Ord. No. 625 (Ch. 75, Art. II, of the 1982 Code)]
The Newtown Fire Association and the Newtown Township, Bucks County, Emergency Services Department are hereby designated as the officially recognized emergency response agencies for Newtown Borough.
A. 
The official emergency response agencies are hereby authorized to provide such services to Newtown Borough as may be necessary for the protection of property and persons situated in Newtown Borough, including, without limitation, the prevention and extinguishment of fires, prevention of loss of life and hazardous material incidents, and other dangerous situations.
B. 
The emergency response agencies may also provide nonemergency and public service functions, including, without limitation, cleanup after storms, assisting in the removal, abatement and prevention of damage or injury to persons or property, whether through natural causes or man-made situations, public safety education programs, fire prevention inspections, fire lane enforcement, emergency management and other similar services and functions.
C. 
The emergency response agencies may also conduct and participate in such training activities and drills, either within or outside Newtown Borough, as may be deemed necessary by the officers of the Newtown Fire Association or the Newtown Township, Bucks County, Emergency Services Director to maintain proficiency in providing services.
D. 
In addition to participating in the activities as herein authorized, or while en route to or returning from any activity, the official emergency response agencies recognized by Newtown Borough are also authorized to conduct the following activities:
(1) 
Engage in any type of drill, training, ceremony, practice, test or parade when duly called for or authorized by an officer or officers of the Newtown Fire Association or the Director of the Newtown Township, Bucks County, Emergency Services Department.
(2) 
Engage in fund-raising activities for the Newtown Fire Association, when authorized by an officer or officers of the Newtown Fire Association.
(3) 
Engage in the performance of any other duty or activity authorized by an officer of the Newtown Fire Association or the Director of the Newtown Township, Bucks County, Emergency Services Department.
The purpose of §§ 51-14 through 51-15, inclusive, of this article is to recognize the Newtown Fire Association and the Newtown Township, Bucks County, Emergency Services Department as the official emergency response agencies of the Borough of Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
Fire inspection duties for Newtown Borough shall be performed by the designated Fire Inspector and/or Fire Marshal of Newtown Township, Bucks County, for the calendar year 2002 and for each calendar year thereafter until otherwise revoked, modified or changed by the governing bodies of Newtown Borough and/or Newtown Township, Bucks County. The Newtown Township, Bucks County, Fire Inspector is hereby appointed to serve as the Fire Inspector and Fire Marshal for Newtown Borough for the calendar year 2002 and for each calendar year thereafter until otherwise revoked, modified or changed by the governing bodies of Newtown Borough and/or Newtown Township, Bucks County.
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 294, Fire Prevention, Article I, Adoption of Standards; Inspections, for additional provisions regarding fire inspections and fire prevention.
Arson investigation duties for Newtown Borough shall be performed by the designated representatives of Newtown Township, Bucks County for the calendar year 2002 and for each calendar year thereafter until otherwise revoked, modified or changed by the governing bodies of Newtown Borough and/or Newtown Township, Bucks County.
Emergency management coordination duties for Newtown Borough shall be performed by the designated Emergency Management Coordinator for Newtown Township, Bucks County, for the calendar year 2002 and for each calendar year thereafter until otherwise revoked, modified or changed by the governing bodies of Newtown Borough and/or Newtown Township, Bucks County. The Newtown Township, Bucks County, Emergency Management Coordinator is hereby appointed to serve as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Newtown Borough for the calendar year 2002 and for each calendar year thereafter until otherwise revoked, modified or changed by the governing bodies of Newtown Borough and/or Newtown Township, Bucks County. Subject to the provisions of this article, all of the duties and responsibilities vested in the Newtown Borough Emergency Management Coordinator pursuant to Ch. 51 of the Code of Ordinances of Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, are hereby vested in the Newtown Township, Bucks County, designated Emergency Management Coordinator.