[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Brookfield 6-15-2007. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Alarm systems — See Ch. 82.
The following words and phrases, whenever used in this chapter shall be construed as defined in this section, unless from the context a difference meaning is intended:
EMERGENCY
Includes any human-caused or natural event or circumstances causing or threatening loss of life, injury to person or property, human suffering or financial loss, and includes but is not limited to fire, explosion, flood, severe weather, drought, earthquake, spills or releases of hazardous materials, or public health emergencies.
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN
That plan entitled "Town of Brookfield, Connecticut, Emergency Operations Plan," submitted by the Emergency Management Director and approved by the First Selectman.
The First Selectman, as the chief elected official, is responsible for implementation of the Emergency Operations Plan. When he or she, in conjunction with the Emergency Management Director, determines that a state of emergency exists, the First Selectman shall make a declaration in writing as well as activate the Emergency Operations Plan.
A. 
The declaration by the First Selectman of a state of emergency shall (in writing):
(1) 
State the nature of the emergency.
(2) 
Designate the geographical area affected and subject to the emergency controls.
(3) 
State that the First Selectman shall exercise all powers, functions, and duties prescribed by state law, Town Charter, and all applicable ordinances, resolutions, and the Emergency Operations Plan.
B. 
As per state law, notice of the declaration will be transmitted to the area Emergency Management Office immediately, followed by a copy of the written document forwarded as soon as possible.
During a declared emergency, the First Selectman shall have the authority to:
A. 
Exercise, within the designated area in the proclamation, all police powers vested in the Town by Charter and ordinance in order to reduce the vulnerability of the Town to loss of life, injury to persons or property and human suffering and financial loss resulting from emergencies, and to provide recovery and relief assistance for the victims of emergencies.
B. 
Direct any department of the Town to utilize Town personnel, equipment and facilities for the performance of any activities designed to prevent or alleviate actual or threatened damage due to the emergency, and may direct the departments to provide supplemental services and equipment to federal, state, or local agencies to restore any services in order to provide for the health and safety of the citizens of the Town.
C. 
Designate persons to coordinate the work of public and private relief agencies' operation in such area and exclude from such area any person or agency refusing to cooperate with work under such coordination or to cooperate with other agencies engaged in emergency work.
D. 
Request the aid and assistance of any state or other public or quasi-public agencies in the performance of duties and work attendant upon emergency conditions in such area.
E. 
Clear or remove from publicly or privately owned land or water, debris and wreckage which may threaten public health or safety or public or private property.
(1) 
In exercising this authority, the Town administrator may accept funds from the Federal Government or the State of Connecticut for the purpose of removing debris or wreckage from publicly or privately owned land or water.
(2) 
Whenever the Town administrator provides for clearance of debris or wreckage pursuant to this section, employees of the Town or individuals appointed by the Town administrator are authorized to enter upon private lands or waters and perform any tasks necessary to the removal or clearance operation.
(3) 
Except in cases of willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith, any employee or individual appointed by the First Selectman to perform duties necessary to the removal of debris or wreckage shall not be liable for death of or injury to persons or damage to property.
A. 
When a state of emergency is declared to exist and has been declared, the First Selectman:
(1) 
May order the following measures, in the interest of the public health, safety, or welfare, in the area designated as an emergency area:
(a) 
Redirect Town funds for emergency use and suspend standard Town procurement procedures.
(b) 
Establish a curfew that fixes the hours during which all other than officially authorized personnel may be upon the public streets or other public places.
(c) 
Prohibit or limit the number of persons who may gather or congregate upon any public street, public place, or any outdoor place.
(d) 
Barricade streets and prohibit vehicular or pedestrian traffic, or regulate the traffic on any public street, public place, or any outdoor place.
(e) 
Evacuate persons.
(f) 
Prohibit the sale of alcoholic beverages.
(g) 
Prohibit or restrict the sale of gasoline or other flammable liquids.
(h) 
Prohibit the sale, carrying, or possession of any weapons or explosives of any kind on public streets, public places, or any outdoor places.
(i) 
Curtail or suspend commercial activity.
(j) 
Control, restrict, or regulate, by rationing, freezing, use of quotas, prohibitions on shipments, price fixing, allocation or other means, the use, sale or distribution of foods, fuel, clothing, and other commodities, materials, goods, and services.
(k) 
Close all roads and highways in such area to traffic or limit the travel on such roads to such extent as the First Selectman deems necessary and expedient.
(l) 
Order such other measures necessary for the protection of life or property or for the recovery from the emergency.
B. 
All orders issued under authority conferred by this section shall have the full force and effect of law during the declaration of a state of emergency. All existing laws, ordinances, rules and orders inconsistent with this chapter shall be inoperative during this period of time and to the extent such inconsistencies exist.
During the existence of an emergency, the First Selectman may:
A. 
Enter into purchase, lease, or other arrangements with any agency of the United States or the State of Connecticut for temporary housing units to be occupied by disaster victims.
B. 
Accept or borrow funds from or passed through by the State of Connecticut for temporary housing for disaster victims.
C. 
Upon determination that the Town will suffer a substantial loss of tax and other revenues from a major disaster and that there is a demonstrated need for financial assistance to perform its governmental functions, apply to the Federal and State Government, or request the state to apply on the Town's behalf, for grants and loans and to receive, on behalf of the Town, such grants and loans.
D. 
Determine the amount needed to restore or resume the Town's government function and certify the same to the State of Connecticut or the Federal Government.
The First Selectman, in conjunction with the Emergency Management Director, shall terminate the state of emergency by proclamation when the emergency no longer exists or when the threat of emergency has passed. This proclamation will also be transmitted to the State Emergency Management Office.