Howard County 34-2

Jurisdictions: Howard County, City of Kokomo, Town of Russiaville, Town of Greentown

Topic: Civil defense and disaster preparedness and response

Date: 1993 July

Purpose: To officially establish the Howard County Emergency Management Agency ("Agency"), for the preparation and coordination of all emergency functions to preserve, minimize, and repair injury and damage resulting from disasters and emergencies. (P. 2)

Function: Public safety, Disaster planning

Type: Coordination

Organization: Multiple-party agreement. Governed by Howard County Emergency Management Agency Advisory Council ("Council"). Multiple supply: All member jurisdictions are expected to contribute services, equipment, facilities, and personnel "to the fullest extent possible" (p. 11).

Staffing and supplying: In addition to Director, Agency shall consist of: a Deputy Director; emergency service volunteers; employees, equipment, and facilities of all municipal, town, and County departments and agencies suitable for emergency management and so designated by their respective chief executive officers; staff officers (for Warning, Radiological, Health, etc.); such assistants and clerical help as deemed necessary. All above positions appointed by Director with approval of Council. No compensated position may be established within Agency without authorization of the fiscal bodies of County and City. (P. 6-7)

Financing: Annual budget of Agency prepared by Director, approved by Council, and reviewed by County and City. Funding will be provided jointly by City and County, with shares of 55% and 45%, respectively. Entire annual budget will be budgeted within the General Fund of the City of Kokomo. All expenses incurred shall be submitted on claims to City. On quarterly basis, City shall submit record of expenditures to County for reimbursement. All Agency funds administered by Director. (P. 10-11)

Administration: Definition of "Chief Executive Officer" for each jurisdiction is provided; this individual has the authority to declare a local emergency. (Pp. 1-2). Lists of what is meant by "disaster" and "emergency" (includes enemy attack and sabotage). (P. 2-3)

Council shall consist of 6 members, 2 each from the County and City, and 1 from each town. Initial appointments are of varying lengths: two for 1 year, two for 2 years, and two for 3 years. Subsequent appointments are all for 3 years. Appointments made by heads of each jurisdiction. (Pp. 4-5) Duties of Council: (a) exercise general supervision and control over Agency; (b) select an Agency Director who shall be directly responsible for the county-wide civil defense program and who shall not hold any other local or state government office; c) meet at least quarterly; d) annually elect officers from its membership. (Pp. 5-6) Director may be removed from office by Council. (P. 7) Additional powers and duties of Director listed (including: public relations; development and implementation of a County Emergency Operating Plan; training of volunteers; entering into mutual aid agreements with other public and private agencies for emergency management purposes). (Pp. 8-9)

Additional sections: Powers and Duties of Deputy Director; Qualifications and Appointment of Emergency Management Volunteers; Status of Paid Employees: Establishment of Merit System if Federal Funding is Used; Formulation, Content, and Adoption of Howard County Emergency Management Agency Emergency Operations Plan (content of plan is specified); Jurisdiction of Howard County Emergency Management Agency; Howard County Emergency Management Agency Program: Emergency Powers, Regulations, and Procedures (covers who may declare a state of disaster emergency, what conditions warrant it, and what procedures to follow to carry it out). (pp. 13-19)

Property: Owners of property commandeered for use in any emergency by any public official shall be reimbursed for its use by the public official's political subdivision. (P. 22)

Liability: County and its political subdivisions and personnel held harmless and without responsibility for the loss of life or injury to persons or the destruction of any property during an emergency management test or emergency. (P. 22)