[HISTORY: Adopted by the Commissioners of the Town of Henlopen Acres 10-13-1995.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and referred to as the "Emergency Services
and Disaster Ordinance of the Town of Henlopen Acres."
A.
In accordance with Chapter 31 of Title 20 of the Delaware
Code, the purpose of this chapter is to establish an office that will ensure
the complete and efficient utilization of all of the Town's facilities
to combat disasters which are defined in this chapter.
B.
The Office of Local Emergency Planning and Operations
for the Town of Henlopen Acres will be the coordinating agency for all emergency
service activities; it will be the working force through which the Mayor exercises
the authority and discharges responsibilities for the Town of Henlopen Acres.
C.
This chapter will not relieve any Town department of
the responsibilities or authority given to it in the Town Emergency Operations
Plan.
The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation of this
chapter:
The Mayor of the Town of Henlopen Acres appointed to fill the function
of Emergency Director/Coordinator.
Includes but is not limited to actual enemy attack, sabotage, extraordinary
fire, flood, storm, epidemic or other impending emergencies that endanger
health, life of property.
In its broad meaning, to prepare for and carry out the basic government
functions of maintaining the public peace, health and safety during an emergency
by employing equipment, facilities and employees of all Town departments and
resources of volunteer and quasi-public and private relief organizations.
Includes plans, programs and other emergency procedures deemed essential
to emergency services.
A.
The local Director has the authority to create an organization
for emergency services utilizing, to the fullest extent, the existing departments
within the Town. The Mayor, as Chief Executive of the Town government, can
be the Director of Emergency Services of this Town and shall be responsible
for the organization, administration and operation.
B.
The organization shall consist of the following:
(1)
A local Office of Emergency Planning and Operations is
under the authority of the Director. There shall be a local Deputy Director
of the Office of Emergency Planning and Operations and such assistants and
other employees as are deemed necessary for the organization.
(2)
The employees, equipment and facilities of all Town departments.
The employees, equipment and facilities of all Town departments will participate
in the emergency services activity. Duties assigned to a Town department shall
normally be the same or similar to routine duties of the department.
(3)
Volunteer persons and agencies offering services to,
and accepted by, the Town.
C.
The local Director of Emergency Planning and Operations
will appoint a person well versed and trained in planning operations involving
the activities of many different agencies which will operate to protect the
public health, safety and welfare in the event of danger from enemy action
or disaster as defined in this chapter.
A.
The Mayor.
(1)
The local Director of Emergency Planning and Operations
may exercise the emergency powers and authority necessary to fulfill his general
powers and duties as vested in him as or by the Chief Executive. The Commissioners
may convene to perform the legislative powers as the situation demands and
shall receive reports relative to emergency services activities. Nothing in
this chapter shall be construed as abridging or curtailing the powers or restrictions
of the Commissioners.
(2)
During any period when disaster threatens or when the
Town has been struck by disaster within the definition of this chapter, the
Mayor may promulgate such regulations as he deems necessary to protect life
and property and preserve critical resources. Such regulations may include
but shall not be limited to the following:
(a)
Regulations prohibiting or restricting the movement of
vehicles in order to facilitate the work of emergency services forces or to
facilitate the mass movement of persons from critical areas within the Town.
(b)
Regulations pertaining to the movement of persons from
areas deemed to be hazardous or vulnerable to disaster.
(c)
Such other regulations necessary to preserve public peace,
health and safety.
(3)
The local Director of Emergency Planning and Operations
shall order emergency services forces to the aid of other communities when
required in accordance with mutual support agreements or state statutes.
(4)
The local Director of Emergency Planning and Operations
may obtain vital supplies, equipment and other properties found lacking and
needed for the protection of health, life and property of people and bind
the Town for the fair value thereof.
(5)
The local Director of Emergency Planning and Operations
may require emergency services of any Town officer or employee. If regular
Town forces are determined inadequate, the Town Director may require the services
of such other personnel as he can obtain and are available, including citizen
volunteers. All duly authorized persons rendering emergency services shall
be entitled to the privileges and immunities for regular Town employees and
other registered and identified emergency services and disaster workers.
(6)
The local Director of Emergency Planning and Operations
shall cause to be prepared a Town Emergency Operations Plan and shall exercise
his ordinary powers as Mayor, and all of the powers conferred upon him by
the Town Charter or any other lawful authority.
B.
Local Coordinator of Emergency Services. The local Coordinator/Operations
Officer of Emergency Planning and Operations shall be responsible to the Director
in regard to all phases of emergency services activities. Under the supervision
of the Director, he shall be responsible for the planning, coordination and
operation of the emergency services activities in the Town. His duties shall
include but will not be limited to the following:
(1)
Development and coordination of plans for immediate use
of all facilities, equipment, manpower and other resources of the Town for
the purpose of minimizing or preventing damage to persons and property and
protecting and restoring to usefulness governmental services and public utilities
necessary for the public health, safety and welfare.
(2)
Liaison with state and federal authorities and nearby
political subdivisions as necessary to ensure most effective disaster preparedness
and response capabilities.
(3)
Coordinating the recruitment of volunteer personnel and
agencies to augment the personnel and facilities of the Town for emergency
services purposes.
(4)
Negotiating and concluding agreements with owners or
persons in control of buildings or other property for use of such buildings
as public shelters.
(5)
Through public information programs, educating the public
in all emergency services matters pertaining to the protection of life and
property.
(6)
Coordinating the activity of all other public and private
agencies engaged in emergency services activities.
(7)
Assuming such activity and conducting such activity as
the Director may direct to promote and execute Town emergency services plans
and programs.
A comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan shall be developed for adoption
by the Commissioners and maintained under authority of the Director. In the
preparation of this plan, it is the intent that all services, equipment, facilities
and personnel of all departments shall be utilized to the fullest extent.
Each department assigned responsibilities in the basic plan shall be responsible
for carrying out all duties and functions assigned to them. Each department
shall formulate the operational plan for this service which, when approved,
shall be an annex and a part of the basic Emergency Operations Plan.
