Download This Version in Microsoft Word format
TO AMEND SECTION 25-1-420, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION AND DUTIES OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIVISION, SO AS TO ADD THE DUTY TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR SHELTERS AND TRANSPORTATION TO SHELTERS DURING A MANDATORY EVACUATION.
Whereas, historically, the State of South Carolina is subject to inclement weather emergencies, which may cause catastrophic damage to life and property; and
Whereas, frequently, the safest way to keep citizens from harm resulting from inclement weather emergencies is to order mandatory evacuations, protecting citizens and freeing up emergency personnel to respond to the most dire of emergencies; and
Whereas, the costs associated with mandatory evacuations to affected populations can be great and may create a financial burden; and
Whereas, the State has an interest in providing shelter to those who cannot afford to evacuate or are not physically able to evacuate to both protect people who may be harmed from inclement weather and to allow emergency personnel to focus their efforts on the people and places most desperately needing their aid. Now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 25-1-420 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 25-1-420. There is established within the office of the Adjutant General the South Carolina Emergency Management Division.
The division must be administered by a director appointed by the Adjutant General, to serve at his pleasure, and such additional staff as may be employed or appointed by the Adjutant General.
The division is responsible for the implementation of the following:
(a) coordinating the efforts of all state, county, and municipal agencies and departments in developing a State Emergency Plan;
(b) conducting a statewide preparedness program to assure the capability of state, county, and municipal governments to execute the State Emergency Plan;
(c) establishing and maintaining a State Emergency Operations Center and providing support of the state emergency staff and work force;
(d) establishing an effective system for reporting, analyzing, displaying, and disseminating emergency information; and
(e) establishing an incident management system incorporating the principles of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) that provides for mitigation, preparedness, response to, and recovery from all man-made and natural hazards.; and
(f) developing a plan to provide shelters within evacuation zones and transportation to those shelters to serve people who cannot afford to evacuate or are not physically able to evacuate during a mandatory evacuation."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
This web page was last updated on November 20, 2019 at 4:10 PM