§ 22-1. Power to declare a state of emergency.

(a)

Due to the spontaneous and dynamic nature of disasters, at times it may be necessary to declare a state of emergency at the moment of the disaster.

(b)

A disaster may include, but shall not be limited to, acts of nature, acts of domestic terrorism, or manmade acts of accidental nature.

(c)

During these times of disaster, the mayor shall have the power bestowed upon him to declare a formal state of emergency for the city as a whole or certain areas within the city as he may deem fit.

(d)

By making a formal declaration of emergency, the mayor shall have the power to authorize the police, fire, and public works departments of the city to activate the resources necessary to bring the disaster under control. These resources may include, but shall not be limited to, mutual aid compacts, emergency mutual assistance compacts, and multiagency coordination systems.

(e)

The mayor shall further have such powers as a political subdivision would have if the governor of the state declared a state of emergency under Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 31-9-3, 31-9-4, 31-9-8 and 31-9-10, which powers are hereby adopted such powers by reference. The mayor shall have such powers if the mayor declares a formal state of emergency without the necessity of the governor declaring a formal state of emergency.

(f)

In the event that the mayor is unavailable in time of emergency, the duly appointed mayor pro tem of the council will assume this authority.

(Ord. No. 515, 8-22-2006)