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| Model Emergency Management Ordinances and Agreements |
As political subdivisions of the state, county governments have primary responsibility for coordinating and providing emergency management services to their communities. When a disaster strikes, it may take three
days or longer for federal and state assistance to be able to “get on the ground” with local assistance. In this interim, it is up to counties and cities to work together to meet the immediate needs of their citizens.
One of the best ways to serve the citizens is for county commissioners to prepare before the disaster hits.
Commissioners need to think about different types of emergencies and the county’s ability to continue providing services. How would business be conducted if the courthouse were inaccessible? What if 75% of the county’s workforce was unable to work due to a pandemic flu? What if all major roads were impassable? What if the phones were out? What if there was no internet access? How would county officials communicate with each other? How would the county get necessary information out to the public if they do not have phone, electricity, cable or internet? After considering these questions, commissioners need to make sure that the county’s ordinances, regulations, policies, procedures, etc., allow the commission to take necessary actions.
There are so many urgent and pressing needs during an emergency that it is often difficult to properly create and follow appropriate procedures, policies and agreements. However, having these documents drafted and
adopted prior to an emergency allows officials to focus their energy on actually responding to the emergency and addressing the immediate needs of the community. It may save the property taxpayers millions of dollars in the event of an emergency.
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