§ 63-683.11. Political subdivisions - Emergency management programs - Emergency management directors - Declaration of local emergency.

A.  All incorporated jurisdictions of this state are required to develop an emergency management program in accordance with the Oklahoma Emergency Management Act of 2003.  County jurisdictions are required to have a qualified emergency management director as outlined in this section.  Incorporated municipalities are required to either have an emergency management director or create an agreement with the county for emergency management services.  Each local organization for emergency management shall have a director who shall be appointed by the executive officer or governing body of the political subdivision, who shall report directly to the chief executive officer or chief operating officer and who shall have direct responsibility for the organization, administration, and operation of such local organization for emergency management, subject to the direction and control of such executive officer or governing body.  Each local organization for emergency management shall perform emergency management functions within the territorial limits of the political subdivisions within which it is organized, and, in addition, shall conduct such functions outside of such territorial limits as may be required pursuant to this act.  Each local emergency management organization shall develop, maintain and revise, as necessary, an emergency operations plan for the jurisdiction.  Each plan shall address the emergency management system functions of preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation.  Such plan shall be based upon a hazard and risk assessment for the jurisdiction and shall include provisions for evacuation of all or a portion of the jurisdiction based upon such risk in the event any disaster, as defined in Section 683.3 of this title, necessitates the evacuation of its citizens.  Every political subdivision shall ensure that there is widespread dissemination of the plan and information to citizens as to how and when such plan is activated and how citizens are to participate in evacuating their communities in the event of a disaster.  The plan shall be reviewed annually.  Such plan shall be coordinated with the state.

B.  Emergency Management Directors (EMD) shall meet the qualifications promulgated by the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM).  The minimum qualifications include:

1.  U.S. citizenship;

2.  High school diploma or equivalent;

3.  Valid Oklahoma driver license;

4.  Social security number;

5.  Has not been convicted of a felony in Oklahoma; and

6.  Within one (1) year of appointment, the EMD must complete basic emergency management training provided by the OEM.

C.  Prior to employment, the employing agency shall obtain a name-based background search by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to determine if the EMD has been convicted of a felony.

D.  Each Emergency Management Director shall be responsible for all aspects of emergency management in their jurisdiction including: conducting a hazard analysis detailing risks and vulnerabilities, annually updating the existing all-hazard Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), conducting and arranging for necessary training of all relevant personnel, conducting annual exercises to evaluate the plan, managing resources, determining shortfalls in equipment, personnel and training, revising the EOP as necessary, establishing and maintaining an office of emergency management, communications, warnings, conducting or supervising damage assessment and other pre-and post-disaster-related duties.

E.  Local fire departments, law enforcement and other first response agencies shall notify the Emergency Management Director of all significant events occurring in the jurisdiction.  Emergency Management Directors shall promptly report significant events to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.

F.  In carrying out the provisions of this act, each political subdivision, in which any disaster as defined in Section 683.3 of this title occurs, shall have the authority to declare a local emergency and the power to enter into contracts and incur obligations necessary to combat such disaster, protecting the health and safety of persons and property, and providing emergency assistance to the victims of such disaster.  Each political subdivision is authorized to exercise the powers vested under this section in the light of the exigencies of the extreme emergency situation without regard to time-consuming procedures and formalities prescribed by law, excepting mandatory constitutional requirements, pertaining to the performance of public work, entering into contracts, the incurring of obligations, the employment of temporary workers, the rental of equipment, the purchase of supplies and materials, and the appropriation and expenditure of public funds.

Added by Laws 1967, c. 33, § 11, emerg. eff. Feb. 14, 1967.  Amended by Laws 2003, c. 329, § 10, emerg. eff. May 29, 2003; Laws 2006, c. 214, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2006.