§ 11.48.060. Emergency preparedness duties—local government.

A.

The Mayor, or one acting as Mayor, is responsible for providing strategic guidance and resources during preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Specifically, the Mayor, or one acting as Mayor, is responsible for:

1.

Establishing strong working relationships with neighboring jurisdictions' leaders, regional emergency management groups, core private-sector organizations, voluntary agencies, and community partners in order to coordinate with and train with local partners in advance of an incident and to develop mutual aid or assistance agreements for support in response to an incident;

2.

Leading and encouraging local leaders to focus on preparedness by participating in planning, training, and exercises;

3.

Supporting participation of the Office of Emergency Management, other City departments, and the private-sector in local mitigation efforts within the jurisdiction;

4.

Understanding and implementing laws and regulations that support emergency preparedness and response;

5.

Ensuring that local emergency plans take into account the needs of the jurisdiction, including persons, those persons with special needs, property, economic activities;

6.

Encouraging residents to participate in volunteer organizations and training courses; and

7.

Working closely with other levels of government in Maryland and the United States during local states of emergency and on an ongoing basis regarding local preparedness capabilities and needs.

B.

The Mayor, or one acting as Mayor, and City Council are responsible for ensuring that emergency preparedness programs are appropriately resourced and that responsible and effective leaders and managers are appointed or hired to direct those programs.

C.

The Director of the Office of Emergency Management is directly responsible for the organization, administration, and operation of the Office of Emergency Management. The Director shall also have those emergency preparedness powers delegated to the Director by the Mayor of the City of Annapolis and/or by the Governor of the State of Maryland. The Director's duties include guiding the Office of Emergency Management in:

1.

Coordinating all components of the local emergency management program, to include assessing the availability and readiness of local resources most likely required during an incident and identifying and correcting any shortfalls;

2.

Coordinating the emergency planning process and working cooperatively with other local agencies and private-sector organizations;

3.

Coordinating damage assessments during an incident;

4.

Coordinate the provision of aid, such as response personnel, equipment, or facilities to neighboring jurisdictions, as needed;

5.

Advising and informing local officials about emergency management activities during an incident;

6.

Developing and executing public awareness and education programs;

7.

Conducting exercises to test plans and systems and obtain lessons learned;

8.

Developing mutual aid and assistance agreements; and

9.

Involving the private sector and nongovernmental organizations in planning, training, and exercises.

D.

City Department Directors shall collaborate with the Director of the Office of Emergency Management in the development and implementation of local emergency plans and the provision of key response resources.

1.

City department directors and their staff are responsible for developing plans and training their staff about internal emergency policies and procedures to meet their Department's response, continuity and recovery needs safely.

2.

During a local state of emergency, City department directors shall provide key response and continuity resources to the City as required by the Mayor and the Office of Emergency Management.

3.

City department directors shall participate in interagency training and exercises to develop and maintain the necessary emergency response and preparedness capabilities.

(Ord. No. O-33-14, § I, 12-22-2014; Ord. No. O-14-12 Amended, § II, 6-4-2012)