East Palo Alto Municipal Code Art. II Emergency Services Plan

The city council finds and determines that the adoption of the ordinance codified in this article is necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The city council adopts the following findings and declarations in support of this article:

A. The city has a compelling interest in providing for the emergency protection of life and property and providing for the needs of the community in the event of a disaster; and

B. The city has designated the chief of police as the coordinator of emergency services and has charged the chief with development and maintenance of a city emergency plan.

(Ord. 210 § 1, 1997)

As used in this article:

"Emergency" means an unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action. The term includes, but is not limited to, a fire, a natural disaster, an automobile accident, or any situation requiring immediate action to prevent serious bodily injury or loss of life.

"FEMA" means the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

"ICS" means Incident Command System.

"OES" means state and county Office of Emergency Services.

"SEMS" means federal mandated Standard Emergency Management System.

(Ord. 210 § 2, 1997)

A. The city manager shall be the director of emergency services.

B. The chief of police shall be the coordinator of emergency services, act in the absence of the director, and shall maintain the emergency plan and emergency operations center.

C. City department heads shall assume other responsibilities as directed by the director of emergency services.

D. All officers and employees of this city, together with those volunteer forces enrolled to aid them during an emergency, and all groups, organizations and persons who may by agreement or operation of law, including persons impressed into service under the provisions of this chapter, charged with duties incident to the protection of life and property in this city during such emergency, shall constitute the emergency organization of the city.

(Ord. 210 § 3, 1997)

There is adopted a city emergency plan as set forth in Exhibit A, and incorporated by reference in this section. The Exhibit A, consisting of six volumes, shall be on file in the office of the city clerk and available for public inspection during regular business hours.

(Ord. 210 § 4, 1997)

During a declared disaster, the director of emergency services may suspend such city purchasing regulations as necessary for the protection and welfare of the community.

(Ord. 210 § 5, 1997)