THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY
PHIL BREDESEN, MAYOR
Subject: Establishment of the process leading to the declaration of a state of civil emergency
WHEREAS, 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
WHEREAS, T.C.A. §§ 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
WHEREAS, implementing these powers constitutes extraordinary actions and extreme care must be taken to exercise these powers appropriately;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Philip Bredesen, Mayor of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me, do hereby direct and order the following:
Pursuant to the powers vested in me by Metropolitan Code Sections 2.08.050-2.08.080, and T.C.A. §§ 58-2-101 et seq., the following procedures are to be adhered to:
1. In accordance with Executive Order 92-03, 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 Metro 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 which 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 Metro departments in their 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 T.C.A. § 58-2-503 and the Federal Disaster Assistance Act as amended, the Office of Emergency Management will provide accurate assessment of the event's impact on the community, ensure the efficient utilization of all Metro 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 Vice Mayor and in his/her absence, the President of the Metropolitan Council to be empowered to act in the Mayor's absence. The declaration must then be filed with the Metropolitan Clerk.
8. Metro's Emergency Management Plan contains additional details on this process.
Ordered this 28th day of March 1994.
Philip Bredesen
Mayor