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TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 6-1-2020 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY IN EACH COUNTY WITHIN THIS STATE, TO AUTHORIZE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND TO ESTABLISH A COMMITTEE TO REVIEW CHANGES IN COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLANS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Title 6 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:
"Section 6-1-2020. (A)(1) Each county within this State must establish and maintain an emergency management agency. This agency shall develop a county emergency management plan and program that is consistent and coordinated with the state comprehensive emergency management plan and program. The standards outlined by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall serve as the basis for the State and local plans and programs.
(2) Each county emergency management agency shall perform emergency management functions within the county. Also, a county emergency management agency shall conduct emergency management activities outside of the county in accordance with state and county emergency plans and mutual aid agreements. The county emergency management agency shall act as liaison and coordinator of requests for state and federal assistance for municipalities during post-disaster emergency operations.
(3)(a) Each county emergency management agency shall have a director who meets the minimum training and educational qualifications established and approved by the county. The director shall be appointed by the governing body of the county to serve at the pleasure of the governing body and in conformance with applicable ordinances and laws.
(b) The director is responsible for the organization, administration, and operation of the county emergency management agency. The director shall coordinate emergency management activities, services and programs within the county and shall serve as liaison to the South Carolina Emergency Management Division and other local emergency management agencies and organizations.
(B)(1) A municipality may create a municipal emergency management program. A municipality that elects to establish an emergency management plan must comply with all laws, rules, and requirements applicable to county emergency management agencies. Municipal emergency management plans must be consistent with and subject to the applicable county emergency plan. Municipal emergency management programs shall coordinate their activities with those of the county emergency management agency.
(2) The municipality must coordinate requests for state and federal emergency response assistance with the applicable county emergency management agency.
(3) A municipality without an emergency management program must be served by its applicable county emergency management agency.
(C)(1) A review committee shall be established comprised of seven members to address any recommended changes in county or municipal emergency management plans. The committee shall review recommendations from county emergency management agencies semiannually and make recommendations to the Adjutant General.
(2) The committee shall be appointed by the Adjutant General and shall be compromised as follows:
(a) one elected board member from the South Carolina Emergency Management Agency;
(b) two members from counties with a population greater than two hundred thousand;
(c) two members from counties with a population between fifty thousand and two hundred thousand; and
(d) two members from counties with a population of less than fifty thousand."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on December 10, 2014 at 1:44 PM