§ 2.100.070. Director of emergency services.

There is hereby created the office of director of emergency services. The director of emergency services shall be the county chief executive officer. The director of emergency services is responsible for providing direction and control of the Riverside County Emergency Management Organization during times of emergency or disaster.

A.

If the director of emergency services is unavailable, the county executive officer shall automatically be succeeded by the following officials in the order named:

(1)

Chief operating officer.

(2)

Assistant county executive officer - public safety.

(3)

Assistant county executive officer - human services.

(4)

Assistant county executive officer - economy and community development.

(5)

Assistant county executive officer - public works, land use & environment.

(6)

Assistant county executive officer - Riverside University Health System.

(7)

Emergency management department director.

B.

The director of emergency services shall have the following powers and duties:

(1)

To make key appointments, subject to the approval of the board of supervisors, within the emergency management organization;

(2)

Request the board of supervisors to proclaim the existence of a local emergency if said board is in session, or to issue such proclamation if said board is not in session. Whenever a local emergency is proclaimed by the director of emergency services, the board of supervisors shall take action to ratify the proclamation within seven days thereafter or the proclamation shall have no further force or effect;

(3)

During the existence of State of War Emergency, or the proclaimed existence of a State of Emergency or a Local Emergency affecting Riverside County or the Riverside County Operational Area, to:

i.

Control and direct the activities of the Riverside County Emergency Management Organization;

ii.

Use all county resources for the preservation of life and property and to reduce the effects of the emergency;

iii.

Resolve questions of authority and responsibility that may arise in emergency operations;

iv.

Obtain vital supplies, equipment and other resources needed for the preservation of life and property by either binding the county for the fair value thereof or by commandeering same;

v.

To delegate to elected and appointed officials of the County of Riverside such duties and authorities as he/she deems necessary;

vi.

To make and issue rules and regulations on matters reasonably related to the protection of life and property as affected by any conditions proclaimed as provided herein;

vii.

To require emergency services of any county officer or employee, and to command the aid of as many citizens of the County of Riverside as the director deems necessary in the execution of his/her duties;

viii.

To exercise complete authority over the county and to exercise all police power vested in the county by the constitution and general laws;

ix.

To recommend to the board of supervisors any urgency ordinance that may be necessary for the protection of the health, safety, and welfare of the community during the pendency of the emergency.

x.

In addition to the powers and authorities granted herein, the director of emergency services shall have such powers and authorities incidental to the performance of said duties as shall be necessary to allow for the carrying out of the Emergency Plan of the County of Riverside, it being the intent that the enumerated powers and authorities herein are not intended to be limitations upon the Director's powers and authorities.

(Ord. No. 533.6, § 7, 12-4-2018)