San Rafael Municipal Code Ch. 7.12 Director and Assistant Director of Emergency Services

(a) There is hereby created the position of director of emergency services.

(1) The city manager shall be the director of emergency services.

(b) There is hereby created the position of assistant director of emergency services, who shall be appointed by the director.

(Ord. 1085 § 2 (part), 1973).

(a) The director is empowered to:

1. Proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a "local emergency" if the city council is not in session, subject to ratification by the city council within seven (7) days thereafter or the proclamation shall have no further force or effect;

2. Request the governor to proclaim a "state of emergency" when, in the opinion of the director, locally available resources are inadequate to cope with the emergency;

3. Direct and control the effort of the emergency organization of this city for the accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter;

4. Direct cooperation between and coordination of services and staff of the emergency organization of this city; and resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise between them;

5. Represent this city in all dealings with public or private agencies on matters pertaining to emergencies as defined herein.

(b) In the event of a proclamation of a "local emergency" as herein provided, the proclamation of a "state of emergency" by the governor or the director of the State Office of Emergency Services, or the existence of a "state of war emergency," the director is empowered to:

1. Make and issue rules and regulations on matters reasonably related to the protection of life and property as affected by such emergency; provided, however, such rules and regulations must be confirmed at the earliest practicable time by the city council;

2. Obtain vital supplies, equipment, and such other properties found lacking and needed for the protection of life and property and to bind the city for the fair value thereof and, if required immediately, to commandeer the same for public use;

3. Require emergency services of any city officer or employee, and in the event of the proclamation of a "state of emergency" in the city or the existence of a "state of war emergency," to command the aid of as many citizens of this community as he deems necessary in the execution of his duties; such persons shall be entitled to all privileges, benefits, and immunities as are provided by state law for registered disaster service workers;

4. Requisition necessary personnel or material of any department or agency in this city;

5. Execute all of his ordinary powers as city manager, all of the special powers conferred upon him by this chapter or by resolution or emergency plan pursuant hereto adopted by the city council, all powers conferred upon him by any statute, by any agreement approved by the city council, and by any other lawful authority.

(c) The director of emergency services shall designate the order of succession to that office, to take effect in the event the director is unavailable to attend meetings and/or otherwise perform his duties during an emergency. Such order of succession shall be approved by the city council.

(d) The assistant director shall, under the direction and supervision of the director and with the assistance of emergency service chiefs, develop emergency plans and manage the emergency program of this city, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be assigned by the director.

(Ord. 1845 § 2, 2006: Ord. 1085 § 2 (part), 1973).