Agenda

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Public Hearing 3. B.

Regular BOS Meeting

Meeting Date:	02/07/2023
Submitted For:	Josh Beck	Submitted By:	Josh Beck, Director
Department:	Health & Emergency Management	Division:	Emergency Management

Information

Request/Subject

Adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-02 - Emergency Management Program.

Background Information

In 2012, the Board of Supervisors approved (Gila County Resolution No. 05-09-12); the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the practice model for the accomplishment of the significant responsibilities associated with prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation of all major and hazards situations.

Gila County is authorized by Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 26-301 through § 26-319 to provide for emergency management within the jurisdiction of Gila County; to establish an emergency management agency within its jurisdiction; hereinafter referred to as Gila County Emergency Management; to appoint a director who shall be responsible for the organization, administration, and operation of the division.

The Emergency Management Ordinance No. 2023-02 will provide for the following:

1. Emergency Declarations and Powers of Authority
2. Emergency Management; Powers and Duties
3. Comprehensive Emergency Management and Response Plans
4. Emergency Operations Center
5. Volunteer Coordination

During a special BOS meeting on October 25, 2022, staff held a work session on this item and presented the Board of Supervisors with a rough draft Emergency Management Ordinance. During the Work Session, the Board of Supervisors supported moving forward with the Ordinance with the condition of the removal of section 4.4.2. Section 4.4.2 has been removed from the EM Ordinance.

The legal notice of hearing was posted in the Arizona Silver Belt for two consecutive weeks in the December 14, 2022, and December 21, 2022 editions. The notice of hearing was also posted in the Payson Roundup with a first publication of December 9, 2022, and a last publication of December 20, 2022.

Evaluation

This ordinance will:

Prepare Gila County for emergencies resulting from a disaster or the imminent threat of a disaster, to establish a protocol for emergency management.
Establish the Gila County Emergency Management Division as the coordinating agency for all activity in connection with emergency management. This division may exercise authority and discharge responsibilities during disaster emergencies as vested in them by the Board.
Ensure utilization of all available County resources as reasonably necessary to cope with an emergency or disaster situation in Gila County.
Establish comprehensive emergency management plans for all County, local municipalities, and response agencies to utilize, upon activation of the Emergency Operations Center.

Conclusion

The adoption of the Emergency Management Ordinance, No. 2023-02 will enable Gila County's primary and supporting agencies to adequately prevent, prepare, respond, recover, and mitigate all emergency or disaster situations.

Recommendation

The Health and Emergency Management Department Director recommends the approval of Ordinance No. 2023-02 - Emergency Management Program.

Suggested Motion

Information/Discussion/Action to approve Ordinance No. 2023-02 - Emergency Management Program. (Josh Beck)

Attachments
EM Ordinance
Legal Notice Documentation
Legal Notice Documentation