The purpose of this Chapter is to create a Civil Defense Organization
for the City of Weatherford, to be prepared for and to function in
the event of emergencies endangering the lives and property of the
people of the city. The duty of such Civil Defense Organization shall
be the protection of the lives and health of the citizens of the city
and property and property rights, both private and public, and to
perform all functions necessary and incident thereto.
There is hereby established under the executive department of
the government of the City of Weatherford, a Department of Civil Defense,
which shall consist of:
1.
A
Director of Civil Defense who shall be appointed by the Mayor and
serve at his pleasure.
2.
A
Civil Defense Advisory Board. This board shall consist of the Mayor,
as Chairman, the City Administrator, the Police Chief, the Fire Chief,
and one at-large member. The board shall select from its members the
vice-chairman and secretary. It shall hold such meetings as are directed
by the Mayor and its function shall be to act in a advisory capacity
as required or requested by the Mayor or the Director of Civil Defense.
1.
The
Director of Civil Defense shall be the executive head of the department
of civil defense and shall be responsible for carrying out the civil
defense program of the city. He shall serve without compensation but
may be reimbursed for expenses incurred in the performance of his
duties. It shall be the duty of the Director of Civil Defense as soon
as practicable after his appointment to perfect an organization to
carry out the purpose set forth in this Chapter, and he shall have
all necessary power and authority to form committees or other bodies
and to appoint and designate the chairman or chief officer of such
bodies as may be necessary to perfect such an organization. He shall
have such further duty and responsibility to cooperate with all civil
defense agencies of other governmental units including the State of
Oklahoma and the United States.
2.
The
Director of Civil Defense is further authorized to formulate and prepare
written plans and gather and disseminate information and maintain
a written record thereof to govern the functions of the Civil Defense
Organization.
In the event of any enemy caused emergency, as proclaimed by
the Mayor, the Director of Civil Defense, with the approval of the
Mayor, shall have the power and authority to enforce all rules and
regulations relating to civil defense, and acting under the authority
of the laws of the State of Oklahoma or the United States, or under
the authority of the Mayor as an agent of the Governor of the State
of Oklahoma, may take control of, if necessary, all means of transportation,
communications, stock of fuel, food, clothing, of the population.
He shall cooperate in every way with the activities of other governmental
agencies or Civil Defense Organization; and if required by the Mayor,
the Director shall have control over any and all funds allocated from
any source for the purpose of alleviating distress conditions for
the City of Weatherford.
In the event of any natural emergency such as actual or impending
flood, fire, hurricane, storm or other catastrophe in or near the
City of Weatherford, upon the proclamation of such emergency by the
Mayor and acting under his instructions, the Director of Civil Defense
shall coordinate by every proper means the activities of Civil Defense
Organization. He is specifically charged with the collection, evaluation
and dissemination of information to all agencies, both public and
private, participating in the city's Civil Defense Organization,
during such emergency. He shall, as Director, have the power to recommend
appropriate action, but he shall not otherwise control participating
agencies. If required by the Mayor, the Director shall have control
over any and all funds allocated from any source for the purpose of
alleviating distress conditions within the city.
The Director of Civil Defense and other members of the Civil Defense Organization created by him shall have the power and authority to enforce the laws of the State of Oklahoma and ordinances of the City of Weatherford during any period of emergency described in Sections 7-4 to 7-5, and shall at such time have the further power to make arrests for violations of such laws or ordinances.
