There exists the office of emergency management director of the city, which shall be held by the mayor in accordance with state law.
(1) 
An emergency management coordinator may be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the director.
(2) 
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 in section 14-20. He may delegate authority for execution of these duties to the coordinator, but ultimate responsibility for such execution shall remain with the director.
(Code 1973, § 9-1; Code 1997, § 36.01; Ordinance 81-87, adopted 11/5/1981)
(a) 
The powers and duties of the director shall include an on-going survey of actual or potential major hazards which threaten life and/or property within the city; and an on-going 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 his responsibility in hazard mitigation, the director shall supervise the development of an emergency management plan for the city and shall recommend the plan for adoption by the city commission, 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 commission 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 improvements in the emergency management plan.
(b) 
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 as to the existence of a disaster and the immediate operational effectiveness of the city 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 the drafting and execution, if deemed desirable, of an agreement with the county in which said 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.
(Code 1973, §§ 9-2, 9-3; Code 1997, § 36.02; Ordinance 81-87, adopted 11/5/1981)
The operational emergency management organization of the city shall consist of the officers and employees of the city so designated by the director in the emergency management plan as well as all organized volunteer groups. The functions and duties of this organization shall be distributed among such officers and employees in accordance with the terms of the emergency management plan. Such plan shall set forth the form of the organization, establish, and designate divisions and functions, assign tasks, duties, and powers, and designate officers and employees to carry out the provisions of this article. Insofar as possible, the form of organization, titles and terminology shall conform to the recommendations of the state division of emergency management and of the federal government.
(Code 1973, § 9-5; Code 1997, § 36.04; Ordinance 81-87, adopted 11/5/1981)
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 of Texas and the ordinances of the City of Harlingen.
(Code 1973, § 9-6; Code 1997, § 36.05; Ordinance 81-87, adopted 11/5/1981)
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 article and shall be subject to the penalties imposed by this article.
(Code 1973, § 9-7; Code 1997, § 36.06; Ordinance 81-87, adopted 11/5/1981)
(a) 
At all times when the orders, rules, and regulations made and promulgated pursuant to this article shall be in effect, they shall supersede and override all existing ordinances orders, rules, and regulations insofar as the latter may be inconsistent therewith.
(b) 
This article shall not be construed so as to conflict with any state or federal statute or with any military or naval order, rule or regulation.
(Code 1973, §§ 9-8, 9-9; Code 1997, § 36.07; Ordinance 81-87, adopted 11/5/1981)
No person shall have the right to expend any public funds of the city in carrying out any emergency management activity authorized by this article without prior approval by the city commission, nor shall any person have any right to bind the city by contract, agreement, or otherwise without prior and specific approval of the city commission.
(Code 1973, § 9-11; Code 1997, § 36.09; Ordinance 81-87, adopted 11/5/1981)
It shall be unlawful for any person to obstruct, hinder, or delay any member of the emergency management organization in the enforcement of any rule or regulation issued pursuant to this article, or to do any act forbidden by any rule or regulation issued pursuant to the authority contained in this article. It shall likewise be unlawful for any person to wear, carry, or display any emblem, 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.
(Code 1973, § 9-12; Code 1997, § 36.10; Ordinance 81-87, adopted 11/5/1981)