[Adopted 3-19-2007 by Ord. No. 1456]
A.
Pursuant to the Acts and Resolves of Massachusetts 1950, Chapter
639, Section 13, there shall be established in the City of Gardner
a Civil Defense Department to be administered by a Director.
B.
The Civil Defense Director (the "Director") shall be appointed by
the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the City Council, and shall
be appointed for a term of three years. Said Director shall hold office
until his/her successor is appointed and confirmed. Said Director
may be removed from office in the same manner as department heads
as provided by Section 8 of the City Charter. Said Director shall
report to the Mayor and City Council and shall appear before the City
Council whenever requested to do so.
The duties of the Director shall be as follows. The Director
shall:
A.
Be responsible for the organization, administration and operation
of the Civil Defense Department.
B.
Prepare the appropriate disaster response plans and ensure that the
City is fully prepared to respond in the event of a disaster.
C.
Ensure that the City is in full compliance with any state or federal
mandates, guidelines or policies related to the civil defense and
disaster response, such as the Homeland Security Act.
D.
Be responsible for the preparation and the carrying out of all emergency
functions, other than functions for which military forces other than
the National Guard are primarily responsible, for the purpose of minimizing
and repairing injury and damage resulting from disasters caused by
attack, sabotage or other hostile action or by fire, flood, earthquake
or other natural causes; said functions shall include specifically,
but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, fire-fighting
and police services, medical and health services, rescue, engineering
and air-raid warning services, evacuation of persons from stricken
areas, emergency welfare services, communications, radiological, chemical
and other special weapons of defense, emergency transportation, existing
or properly assigned functions of plant protection, temporary restoration
of public utility services and other functions.
E.
In the event of a proclamation of a disaster or a state of extreme
emergency by the Governor, Mayor or the State Director of Civil Defense,
the Director may request of the appropriate authority all necessary
assistance, requisition the necessary personnel or materials from
any City department or other source, control and direct all City personnel
and equipment, obtain vital supplies and such other properties found
lacking and needed for the protection of life and property of the
people and commandeer immediately such property, equipment and personnel
necessary for the public use during the term of the emergency.
F.
Attend City events such as a parade or fireworks display to direct
and assist on the side lines, prepared and ready to help in whatever
capacity needed.
G.
Remain in touch with City, state, and federal officials and with
weather agencies.
H.
Assist the Police Department with evacuations, road closures and
detours and help transport people during severe storms and with missing
persons searches.
I.
In collaboration with other public and private agencies within the
commonwealth, develop or cause to be developed mutual aid agreements
for reciprocal civil defense aid and assistance in case of a disaster
too great to be dealt with unassisted.
J.
Work in an advisory capacity to the Mayor on all civil defense related
matters and, in addition to those stated herein, perform those miscellaneous
duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Mayor.
The duties, powers and responsibilities of said Director may
be broadened or diminished at any time by ordinance.
