[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Old Saybrook 4-29-1996 by Ord. No. 74. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The definitions of "emergency management" and related terms used in this chapter shall be the same as the definitions provided in § 28-1, Chapter 517, of the Connecticut General Statutes.
A. 
By authority of C.G.S. § 28-7, an organization of Town government to be known as the "Office of Emergency Management" is hereby established.
B. 
The established Office of Emergency Management shall be under the direction and supervision of an Emergency Management Director assisted by a Deputy Director. The Director shall be responsible for the organization, administration, and operation of said local organization. The Deputy Director shall assume the duties of the office in the absence of the Director.
A. 
The Emergency Management Director and Deputy Director shall be appointed by the First Selectman, and shall serve at the will of the First Selectman. The Director and/or Deputy Director may be removed from office at any time by the First Selectman.
B. 
The Emergency Management Director shall report directly to the First Selectman. The Deputy Director shall report to the Director.
C. 
The Director shall advise the First Selectman on all Emergency Management matters and related laws, rules, regulations and requirements of Title 28 (C.G.S. § 28-1 et seq.) and Public Act 87-535 of the Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S. § 7-520 et seq.), the Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, and the Federal Natural Disaster Relief Act of 1974.
D. 
The Emergency Management Director shall develop, organize, direct and coordinate the Town's Emergency Management Program with the goal of saving lives and protecting property by maintaining emergency operational capabilities that mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from any emergency or disaster.
E. 
The Director shall develop and organize the Emergency Management Program in accordance with local, state and federal emergency management requirements.
F. 
The Emergency Management Director shall coordinate the activities of all Town departments, agencies and offices and the activities of all volunteer organizations, but in no instance shall assume direction and control of any Town department, agency or office unless directed by written authority from the First Selectman.
G. 
The Director shall be responsible for the development and maintenance of the Town's Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and supporting documents in accordance with local, state, and federal emergency management requirements. The EOP shall become effective upon the signature of the First Selectman.
H. 
The Emergency Management Director shall be responsible for the establishment, maintenance, and management of the primary and alternate Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs) in accordance with state and federal emergency management requirements.
I. 
The Emergency Management Director shall be responsible for the coordination of training and exercises required to maintain adequate emergency management and emergency response capabilities in Town.
J. 
The Director shall be responsible for the recruitment and training of volunteer emergency management personnel.
K. 
The Director shall maintain continuous contact with the State Office of Emergency Management, and shall prepare and submit reports and all paperwork necessary to ensure that the Town qualifies and receives all possible funding, equipment, and other benefits or assistance available from the state and/or the federal Emergency Management Program. All requests for outside funding and/or assistance shall be in accordance with established local procedures.
A. 
Each department, agency and office of Town government required to have an annex to the Town's Emergency Operations Plan shall develop and maintain such annex in accordance with local, state and federal emergency management requirements.
B. 
Each department, agency and office of Town government shall cooperate with the Emergency Management Director to the fullest extent possible in the development and maintenance of the local Emergency Management Program.
A. 
The First Selectman is responsible for the protection of the health and safety of all residents and all people in Town, the protection of property, and the preservation of the local government organization and structure.
B. 
The First Selectman of the Town shall ensure that the local emergency management organization develops and maintains the capability of local government necessary to respond to any emergency or disaster that may affect the Town.
C. 
During emergency or disaster situations the First Selectman has the power and authority to issue emergency and/or disaster declarations, assume direct command and control of all governmental functions and facilities, and exercise any and all legal and constitutional powers deemed reasonable and necessary for the protection of residents and people in Town, the protection of property, and the preservation of local government.
D. 
The authority of the First Selectman in the event of an emergency or disaster shall be limited only by the governor of the State of Connecticut in state-declared emergencies or by the President of the United States of America in a declared national emergency.