The National Incident Management System (NIMS) dated March 1, 2004, is hereby adopted as the standard for incident management by the city.
(1999 Code, sec. 1.1931)
There exists the office of the emergency management director of the city, which shall be held by the mayor in accordance with state law.
(1999 Code, sec. 1.1901)
The powers and duties of the director shall include an ongoing survey of actual or potential major hazards which threaten life and property within the city, and an ongoing program of identifying and requiring or recommending the implementation of measures which would tend to prevent the occurrence or reduce the impact of such hazards if a disaster did occur. As part of the director's responsibility in hazard mitigation, the director shall supervise the development of an emergency management plan for the city and shall recommend that plan for adoption by the city council along with any and all mutual aid plans and agreements which are deemed essential for the implementation of such emergency management plan. The powers of the director shall include the authority to declare a state of disaster, but such action may be subject to confirmation by the city council at its next meeting. The duties of the director shall also include the causing of a survey of the availability of existing personnel, equipment, supplies and services which could be used during a disaster, as provided for herein, as well as a continuing study of the need for amendments and improvement in the emergency management plan.
(1999 Code, sec. 1.1902)
The mayor is hereby authorized to join the county judge of Harris, Waller and/or Fort Bend Counties and the mayors of the other cities in said counties in the formation of an emergency management council and shall have the authority to cooperate in the preparation of a joint emergency management plan and in the appointment of a joint emergency management coordinator, as well as all powers necessary to participate in a county-wide program of emergency management insofar as said program may affect the city.
(1999 Code, sec. 1.1903)
(a) 
The duties and responsibilities of the emergency management director shall include the following:
(1) 
The direction and control of the actual disaster operations of the city emergency management personnel;
(2) 
The determination of all questions of authority and responsibility that may arise within the emergency management organization of the city;
(3) 
The maintenance of necessary liaison with other municipal, county, district, state, regional, federal, or other emergency management organizations;
(4) 
The marshaling, after declaration of a disaster as provided for above, of all necessary personnel, equipment or supplies from any department of the city to aid in the carrying out of the provisions of the emergency management plan;
(5) 
The issuance of all necessary proclamations declaring a disaster as defined in V.T.C.A., Government Code, chapter 418, implementing the emergency management plan;
(6) 
The issuance of reasonable rules, regulations or directives which are necessary for the protection of life and property in the city. Such rules and regulations shall be filed in the office of the city secretary and shall receive widespread publicity unless publicity would be of aid and comfort to the enemy;
(7) 
The supervision of the drafting and execution of mutual aid agreements, in cooperation with the representatives of the state and of other local political subdivisions of the state, and the drafting and execution, if deemed desirable, of an agreement with the county in which the city is located and with other municipalities within the county, for the county-wide coordination of emergency management efforts;
(8) 
The supervision of, and final authorization for, the procurement of all necessary supplies and equipment, including acceptance of private contributions which may be offered for the purpose of improving emergency management within the city;
(9) 
The authorizing of agreements, after approval by the city attorney, for use of private property for public shelter and other purposes.
(b) 
An emergency management coordinator may be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the director after confirmation by the city council.
(c) 
The director shall be responsible for conducting a program of comprehensive emergency management within the city and for carrying out the duties and responsibilities set forth herein. The director may delegate authority for execution of these duties to the coordinator, but ultimate responsibility for such execution shall remain with the director.
(1999 Code, sec. 1.1904)
An emergency operations plan is adopted in the form of the plan attached as exhibit A to Ordinance 3134 adopted April 8, 2024. A copy of the plan signed by the mayor shall be maintained in the office of the city secretary and true and correct copies shall be distributed to all city department heads and others assigned responsibilities under the plan.
(Ordinance 2892 adopted 1/28/19; Ordinance 3134 adopted 4/8/2024)
Any unauthorized person who shall operate a siren or other device so as to simulate a warning signal, or the termination of a warning, shall be deemed guilty of a violation of this division and shall be subject to the penalties imposed by this division.
(1999 Code, sec. 1.1906)
At all times when the orders, rules and regulations made and promulgated pursuant to this division and the emergency management plan shall be in effect, they shall supersede and override all existing ordinances, orders, rules and regulations insofar as the latter may be inconsistent therewith.
(1999 Code, sec. 1.1907)
This division shall not be construed so as to conflict with any state or federal statute or with any military or naval order, rule or regulation.
(1999 Code, sec. 1.1908)
This division is an exercise by the city of its governmental functions for the protection of the public peace, health, and safety, and neither the city, the agents and representatives of the city, nor any individual, receiver, firm, partnership, corporation, association, or trustee, nor any of the agents thereof, in good faith carrying out, complying with or attempting to comply with any order, rule, or regulation promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this division shall be liable for any damage sustained to persons as the result of said activity. Any person owning or controlling real estate or other premises who voluntarily and without compensation grants to the city a license or privilege or otherwise permits the city to inspect, designate, and use the whole or any part or parts of such real estate or premises for the purpose of sheltering persons during an actual, impending, or practice enemy attack shall, together with said person's successors in interest, if any, not be civilly liable for the death of, or injury to, any person on or about such real estate or premises under such license, privilege or other permission or for loss of, or damage to, the property of such person.
(1999 Code, sec. 1.1909)
No person shall have the right to expend any public funds of the city in carrying out any emergency management activity authorized by this division without prior approval by the city council, nor shall any person have any right to bind the city by contract, agreement or otherwise without prior and specific approval of the city council.
(1999 Code, sec. 1.1910)
It shall be unlawful for any person willfully to obstruct, hinder or delay any member of the emergency management organization in the enforcement of any rule or regulation issued pursuant to this division, or to do any act forbidden by any rule or regulation issued pursuant to the authority contained in this division. It shall likewise be unlawful for any person to wear, carry or display any emblem, insignia or any other means of identification as a member of the emergency management organization of the city, unless authority to do so has been granted to such person by the proper officials. Convictions for violations of the provisions of this division shall be punishable by a fine as provided for in the general penalty provision found in section 1.01.009 of this code.
(1999 Code, sec. 1.1911)
Each employee or any individual that is assigned a function or responsibility shall solemnly swear or affirm to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, laws of the state and ordinances of the city.
(1999 Code, sec. 1.1912)