8.16.060 Powers and duties of the Director.
The Director is hereby empowered to:
A. Request the Board of Supervisors to proclaim the existence or threatened existence of a “local emergency” if the Board of Supervisors is in session, or to issue such proclamation if the Board of Supervisors is not in session. 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 or effect.
B. Recommend that the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors 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 the emergency.
C. Control and direct the effort of the emergency organization of this county for the accomplishment of the purpose of this chapter.
D. Direct cooperation between and coordination of services and staff of the emergency organization of this county; and resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise between them.
E. Represent this county in all dealings with public or private agencies on matters pertaining to emergencies as defined herein.
F. In the event of the 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 hereby empowered:
1. To 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 Board of Supervisors.
2. To obtain vital supplies, equipment, and such other properties found lacking and 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. To require emergency services of any county officer or employee and, in the event of the proclamation of a “state of emergency” in the county or the existence of a “state of war emergency,” to command the aid of as many citizens of this county 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. To requisition necessary personnel or material of any county department or agency.
5. To execute all of his ordinary power as Sheriff of the county, all of the special powers conferred upon him by this chapter or by resolution or emergency plan pursuant hereto adopted by the Board of Supervisors, all powers conferred upon him by any statute, by any agreement approved by the Board of Supervisors, and by any other lawful authority.
G. The Director shall designate the order of succession to that office, to take effect in the event the Director is unavailable to attend meetings and otherwise perform his duties during an emergency. Such order of succession shall be approved by the Board of Supervisors.
H. The Coordinator shall, under the supervision of the Director and with the assistance of emergency service chiefs, develop emergency plans and manage the emergency programs of this county; and shall have such other powers and duties as may be assigned by the Director. (Ord. 403, eff. 12/21/72; Prior code § 12305)