EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 016
THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY
Karl F. Dean, Mayor
Subject: Process leading to the declaration of a state of civil emergency
I, Karl Dean, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me, do hereby amend former Mayor Bredesen Executive Order No. 94-02 and find, direct and order the following:
I. A number of hazards exist which could have a severe impact on the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County; and
II. Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 58-2-101 et seq. and Chapter 2.08 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws specify the emergency powers of the Metropolitan Mayor as a result of a declaration of a state of civil emergency within the boundaries of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County; and
III. Implementing these powers constitutes extraordinary action and extreme care must be taken to exercise these powers appropriately;
1. The Office of Emergency Management shall be responsible for assessing the actual or threatened impact of an emergency situation and preparing the necessary documents for declaring a state of civil emergency and for requesting assistance from the State and/or Federal governments for the Mayor's approval.
2. All Metropolitan Government departments, agencies and commissions are to assist the Office of Emergency Management in gathering damage assessment and other intelligence information as may be appropriate to the situation. The Office of Emergency Management is to be kept fully apprised of any and all threatening conditions that could escalate into a major emergency situation.
3. To the fullest extent possible, the Office of Emergency Management shall include assessment of the impact to the public, the economy, the operations of the Metropolitan Government and the recommendations of the most affected Metropolitan Government departments in preparing the documents for the declaration.
4. The office of Emergency Management will work directly with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency to coordinate all State and Federal assistance for emergency response and recovery beyond the scope of day-to-day activities between peer departments.
5. Pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 58-2-110, et seq., and the Federal Stafford Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act, the Office of Emergency Management will provide accurate assessment of the event's impact on the community, oversee the efficient utilization of all Metropolitan Government resources and follow established financial guidelines concerning the documentation of expended funds.
6. In the event immediate actions are necessary to protect lives and property, a decision may have to be made using the best information available at the time. Departments are to make assessments as quickly and accurately as time permits.
7. In the event the Mayor is not available to make the decision to make such a declaration in a timely manner, the Mayor hereby designates the Metropolitan Deputy Mayor, and in his/her absence the Metropolitan Vice Mayor, to be empowered to act in the Mayor's absence. The declaration must then be filed with the Metropolitan Clerk.
Ordered, Effective and Issued:
Karl F. Dean
Date: March 17, 2008