[1]
Prior legislation: Ord. 1103.
The declared purposes of this chapter are to provide for the preparation and carrying out of plans, including mock or practice drills, for the emergency management of persons and property within the city of Centralia (hereinafter referred to as city) in the event of disaster, and to provide for the coordination of emergency management and disaster functions of the city with all other public agencies and affected private persons, corporations and organizations. Any expenditures made in connection with such emergency management and disaster activities, including mutual aid activities, and mock or practice drills, shall be deemed conclusively to be for the direct protection and benefit of the inhabitants and property of the city.
(Ord. 1835 § 1 (part), 1995)
As used in this chapter:
A. 
"Emergency management"
means the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions, other than functions for which military forces are primarily responsible, to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters, and to aid victims suffering from injury or damage, resulting from disasters caused by all hazards, whether natural or manmade, and to provide support for search and rescue operations for persons and property in distress.
B. 
"Emergency" or "disaster"
means an event or set of circumstances which: (1) demands immediate action to preserve public health, protect life, protect property, or to provide relief to the city by such occurrences, or (2) reaches such a dimension or degree of destructiveness as to warrant the governor declaring a state of emergency pursuant to RCW 43.06.010.
C. 
"Emergency management director"
shall mean the city manager or his designee.
(Ord. 1835 § 1 (part), 1995)
The emergency management director is empowered:
A. 
To prepare an emergency management plan for the city, conforming to the state emergency management plan and program;
B. 
To control and direct the effort of the emergency management of this city for the accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter;
C. 
To direct coordination and cooperation between divisions, services and staff of the city and to resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise between them;
D. 
To represent the city in all dealings with public or private agencies pertaining to emergency management and disaster.
(Ord. 1835 § 1 (part), 1995)
In the event of disaster as herein provided, the emergency management director is empowered:
A. 
To make and issue rules and regulations on matters reasonably related to the protection of life and property as affected by such disaster; provided, however, such rules and regulations must be confirmed at the earliest practicable time by the city council;
B. 
To obtain vital supplies, equipment and such other properties found lacking and needed for the protection of the life and property of the people, and bind the city for the fair value thereof, and if required immediately, to commandeer the same for public use;
C. 
To require emergency services of any city officer or employee, and in the event of a proclamation by the governor of the existence of a disaster, to command the aid of as many citizens of this community as he considers necessary in the execution of his duties;
D. 
To execute all of the special powers conferred upon him by this chapter or by resolution adopted pursuant thereto, all powers conferred upon him by statute, agreement approved by the city council, or by any other lawful authority;
E. 
To requisition necessary personnel or material of any city department or agency.
(Ord. 1835 § 1 (part), 1995)
The emergency management director shall concurrently with the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter, prescribe the form of organization, through the establishment and designation of divisions and services, the assignment of functions, duties and powers, and the designation of officers and employees. Insofar as possible, the form of organization, titles and terminology shall conform to the recommendations of the federal government and the Division of Emergency Management of the Community Economic, Trade and Development of the state of Washington.
(Ord. 1835 § 1 (part), 1995)
It shall be a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not to exceed one hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not to exceed thirty days or both, for any person during a disaster:
A. 
To wilfully obstruct, hinder or delay the emergency management director or his designee or any member of the emergency management organization in the enforcement of any lawful rule or regulation issued pursuant to this chapter, or in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by virtue of this chapter;
B. 
To do any act forbidden by any lawful rules or regulations issued pursuant to this chapter, if such act is of such a nature as to give, or be likely to give assistance to the enemy or to imperil the lives or property of inhabitants of the city, or to prevent, hinder or delay the defense or protection thereof;
C. 
To wear, carry or display, without authority, any means of identification specified by the Division of Emergency Management of the state of Washington.
(Ord. 1835 § 1 (part), 1995)
This chapter shall operate specifically to permit the city government to maintain temporary headquarters and function at any point other than the designated seat of government in the event of a disaster making the present seat of government as prescribed by existing law untenable, to maintain continuity of government in an emergency.
(Ord. 1835 § 1 (part), 1995)