Sec. 10-5. - Powers and duties.

The director is empowered to:

(a)

Direct the efforts of the department of emergency services and to direct the efforts of the emergency services organization within the county/operational area for the accomplishment of the purpose of this ordinance, or of any other law, ordinance, or rules and regulations, relating to the preparation and implementation of emergency plans or programs now in effect, or as may be hereinafter adopted in accordance with law, by the county, the state of California or the United States of America.

(b)

Request the board of supervisors to proclaim the existence of a local emergency, if the board of supervisors is in session, or to issue such proclamation of local emergency under his own authority if the board of supervisors is not in session, provided, however, that whenever a local emergency is proclaimed by the director, the board of supervisors shall take action to ratify the proclamation within seven days thereafter or the proclamation shall have no further force and effect after the seventh day from the date of issuance.

(c)

Request the Governor to proclaim a state of emergency when, in the opinion of the director, the locally available resources are inadequate to cope with an emergency.

(d)

Promote cooperation, and resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise, between agencies making up the emergency services organization, and coordinate the services of and direct staff within the emergency services organization.

(e)

Upon recommendation of the emergency council, and subject to the approval of the board of supervisors, to enter into mutual aid agreements between the county and the United States, the state of California, other political subdivisions, or any corporation, individual, or group of individuals provided, however, that any mutual aid contract entered into with any political subdivision, the whole of whose territory is located within the county of Sonoma, and any contract with any corporation, group of individuals or individual, within the county, shall contain the express provision that in the event of a local emergency duly proclaimed by the board of supervisors or the director, the director shall direct all operations of the emergency services organization within the territory so designated by said proclamation, and the director shall resolve all questions of authority or responsibility that may arise between agencies responding to the proclamation of local emergency.

(f)

Represent the county in all dealings with the public or private agencies on matters pertaining to emergencies.

(g)

In the event of the proclamation of a local emergency as hereinabove provided, or the proclamation of a state of emergency 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 affected by such emergency, provided, however, that such rules and regulations must be confirmed at the earliest practicable time by the board of supervisors of the county.

(2)

Obtain necessary resources, services, supplies, equipment, and such other properties found to be lacking or needed for the protection of life and property, and to bind the county for the fair value thereof, and if required immediately, to commandeer the same for public use.

(3)

Require the immediate services of any county officer or employee and, in the event of proclamation of a state of emergency, or the existence of a state of war emergency, to command the services and aid of any citizen as he deems necessary in the execution of his duties; such persons so impressed into such service shall be entitled to all the privileges, benefits, and immunities as are provided by law for registered disaster service workers.

(4)

Requisition necessary personnel and materials from any department or agency of the county.

(5)

Execute all of his ordinary powers as county executive, all of the special powers conferred upon him by this chapter or by any resolution or emergency plan heretofore or hereinafter adopted by the board of supervisors and all powers conferred on him by any statute, agreement or other lawful authority.

(6)

In the event of a local emergency, the director or his duly authorized representative may order any person impeding efforts of any emergency service personnel to leave the area designated as an area within which a local emergency exists. Refusal by any person to obey the lawful directions of the director or his duly authorized representative, or the hindrance or interference by any person with the lawful duties of any emergency service personnel shall constitute a violation of this code and shall be punishable in the manner provided by Section 1-7 of this code.

(h)

Director shall designate the order of succession to that office to take effect in the event the director is unable to attend meetings, or to otherwise perform his duties during an emergency. Said orders of succession shall be approved annually by the board of supervisors.

(Ord. No. 6467, § X, 4-16-2024; Ord. 5761 § 1, 2007: Ord. No. 5204 § 4, 1999: Ord. No. 3552 § 1; Ord. No. 1742; Ord. No. 1593 § 2.)

Sec. 10-6. - Repealed by Ord. No. 5204 § 5.