Chapter 6: Emergency Government

Aug 1

6.01 TITLE AND PURPOSE.

This ordinance is entitled "Emergency Government". Its purpose is to comply with the requirements of Chapter 166 of the Wisconsin Statutes, Emergency Government, by adopting an effective program of Emergency Government consistent with the State Plan.

6.02 COMMITTEE ON EMERGENCY GOVERNMENT.

The Committee on Emergency Government shall be a combination of appointive members and ex officio members.

Appointive Members:

Three (3) members shall be appointed by the Board of the Town of Dunkirk. At least one shall be a member of the board. Each board appointed member shall serve a term of two years and may be reappointed for one or more successive terms. In the event there is a vacancy on the Committee, the board shall. within forty-five days of such vacancy, appoint a new member to serve out the unexpired term. Where a term has expired and there has been no appointment to the new term. the incumbent committee member may continue in office arid continue to act until such appointment is made.

In addition to Board appointed members, the Committee shall be entitled to appoint as members such other persons, including representatives of significant community entities, as it deems necessary or desirable to carry out its functions.

Committee appointees shall also serve two year terms and may be reappointed.

Ex-Officio Members:

The incumbents of the following offices or their appointees shall be members of the Committee:

The Chair of the Town
The Town Constable
The Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department (City of Stoughton), or his or her representative.
- The Director or other officer of the Emergency Medical Services District.

Organization and Meeting:

Except as hereinafter specifically provided, the committee shall organize itself and conduct its meetings and business as it deems best. Until the Committee shall make a different rule, a quorum of the Committee shall be two of the three Board appointed members and two of the five ex officio members.

6.03 HEAD OF EMERGENCY GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

At its first meeting following the passage of this ordinance and the appointment of members by the Board, the Committee

on Emergency Government shall elect a chair. The election of such chair shall constitute a nomination of the person so elected

for appointment by the Board as Head of Emergency Government Services (HEGS).

The Committee will immediately advise the Board, in writing, of the election of such chair. The said chair shall be and he or she hereby is appointed HEGS effective with the date of election unless the Board acts to cancel such appointment within 30 days of the date of the written notification referred to. If an appointment is canceled, the Committee shall elect a new chair and said chair shall become HEGS in the same manner unless his or her appointment is canceled.

The HEGS shall serve for a term of two years. At the expiration of a term or upon a vacancy in the office, the Committee shall elect a new chair who shall be HEGS unless such appointment is canceled as set forth above. A HEGS may be reappointed for one or more successive terms. In the event a HEGS's term expires before a new appointment has been made, the incumbent HEGS may continue in office and continue to act until an appointment is made.

6.04 PLAN OF EMERGENCY GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

The HEGS shall, in consultation with the Committee on Emergency Government, develop a comprehensive plan of Emergency Government, consistent with the State plan for Emergency Government.

Said plan shall include but not necessarily be limited to provisions for declarations of emergency, chain of command and succession during emergencies, regulations to go into effect during emergencies, planning for evacuation, provision of temporary emergency shelters, training of Town employees or volunteers in handling of emergencies, planning for equipment to be available in emergencies, coordination with county and state authorities during emergencies and dealing with hazardous substances or materials in the event of fire, accident or other emergency. Said plan shall also include provision for amendment by the Committee after its initial approval in accordance herewith.

When the said plan has been completed, the same shall be submitted, together with a proposed first year budget, to the Board for discussion and possible revision. A final plan shall then be adopted by resolution. The said resolution shall also contain an appropriation of funds to cover the costs and expenses of the program for a period of one year. The draft plan of emergency government developed in accordance herewith shall be submitted for discussion with the Board not later than January 30, 1993.

6.05 MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS

The HEGS may, subject to the approval of the Board, enter into mutual aid agreements with other political subdivisions.

6.06 DECLARATIONS OF EMERGENCY

Upon the declaration of a state of emergency by the Governor, the HEGS, the Town Chair or the Village President or by any other person authorized to declare emergency, the HEGS shall issue all necessary proclamations as to the existence of such state of emergency and shall issue such warnings or alerts as shall be required in the comprehensive plan of emergency government. All persons shall act in accordance with the plan after the declaration of an emergency and the issuance of warnings. A state of emergency shall continue until terminated by the declaring authority provided that any declaration not made by the Governor may be terminated by the act of both Boards.

6.07 EMERGENCY REGULATIONS

Whenever necessary to meet an emergency for which adequate regulations do not exist, the HEGS may, by proclamation, promulgate and enforce such orders, rules and regulations relating to the conduct of persons and the use of property as shall be necessary to protect the public peace, health and safety, to preserve lives and property and to ensure necessary cooperation in emergency situations. Such proclamations shall be posted in three (3) public places and may be rescinded by the act of both Boards at any time. They shall remain in effect only during the duration of an emergency.

6.08 OBSTRUCTION OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

It shall be unlawful for any person willfully to obstruct, hinder or delay the enforcement of any order, rule, regulation or plan issued pursuant to this chapter, or to do any act forbidden by any order, rule, regulation or plan issued pursuant to the authority contained herein. Violators of this chapter shall be subject to a Class C forfeiture as set forth in Chapter 17 of this code.

Derek Westby