[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Thompson as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 6-8-1977; amended 10-11-2017 (Ord. No. 10-008)]
There shall be created an agency of Town government to be known as the "Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency" (hereinafter referred to as "EMHSA"). Said agency shall be under the supervision of the Director of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (hereinafter referred to as the "Emergency Management Director"). Such Emergency Management Director shall be appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Town of Thompson. During times of emergency, Constables of the Town of Thompson will report to and take direction from the Emergency Management Director as provided for in Chapter 70, Officers and Employees, Article IV, Constables.
The Emergency Management Director will serve at the will of the Chief Executive Officer and may be removed by the Chief Executive Officer at any time.
The Emergency Management Director of the EMHSA is a staff person reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the Town of Thompson, and shall perform the following:
A. 
Advise the Chief Executive Officer on matters pertaining to civil preparedness and disaster emergency operations.
B. 
Coordinate the activities of all Town agencies in disaster emergency situations, but in no case will the Emergency Management Director assume command of any agency or department other than the EMHSA, unless directly ordered to do so by the Chief Executive Officer.
C. 
Coordinate the activities of all EMHSA forces, and will be responsible for the recruitment and training of needed EMHSA personnel.
D. 
Assist the Chief Executive Officer in the preparation and updating of Town emergency operations plans and standard operating procedures.
E. 
Maintain contact with the Emergency Management and Homeland Security area office designated for the Town of Thompson and will cooperate with the State Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security in preparation of required reports, procedures, and other necessary paperwork to ensure the Town is receiving all possible funding, equipment, and other benefits available to the Town through state and federal agencies.
[Amended 5-30-2023]
The mission of Emergency Management and Homeland Security is to utilize effective planning, training, and coordination to provide a comprehensive and integrated emergency management system that coordinates community resources to protect lives, property, and the environment through mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery from all natural and man-made hazards that may impact the Town of Thompson.
The Director will perform such other EMHSA-related functions as may, from time to time, be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer of the Town of Thompson.
[Adopted 8-17-2011 (Ord. No. 10-025)]
The First Selectperson as the Chief Executive Officer of the Town of Thompson is authorized to declare a local disaster emergency in accordance with the provisions of Connecticut General Statutes §§ 28-8(a) and 28-1(8), as amended.
Upon the declaration of a local disaster emergency by the First Selectperson of the Town of Thompson, the First Selectperson or his/her designee, and the local Emergency Management Director, shall exercise all powers and authority granted to the municipality and/or its Chief Executive Officer under Title 28 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as amended.
In terms of serious disaster or civil emergency, the First Selectperson of the Town of Thompson, or his/her designee, is authorized to activate the municipal emergency operation center. The commanding officer of the Connecticut State Police, Troop D, the chiefs of the municipal fire departments, the Director of the Northeast District Department of Health, the Emergency Management Director, or their representatives, shall assist the First Selectperson in evaluating the need for the declaration of a local disaster emergency.
[Amended 5-30-2023]
In times of serious disaster or civil emergency, the First Selectperson of the Town of Thompson, or his/her designee, will coordinate his or her responsive activities with the appropriate area coordinator from the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.