Title
Ordinance No. 22-41 amending Section 102 (Definitions) and creating a new Section 108 (Emergency Evacuation Procedures) of Part 1 (Purpose and Powers; Continuity) an creating a new Section 206 (Emergency Evacuation Plan) of Part 2 (Office of Emergency Management) of Article 7 (Emergency Management) of Chapter 8 (Public Safety) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to Emergency Evacuations
Presenter:
Chief Randy Royal, Colorado Springs Fire Department
Chief Adrian Vasquez, Colorado Springs Police Department
Fire Marshal Brett Lacey, Colorado Springs Fire Department
Andrew Notbohm, Deputy Director, pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management
Body
Summary:
The ordinance codifies the City’s emergency planning and timely review of the emergency plans. The ordinance also requires the fire department to establish an incident command and designate an incident commander pursuant to NIMS protocols.
Background:
Chapter 8 of the City Code provides for Public Safety Services through creation of a Fire Department, Police Department and an Office of Emergency Management, as well as providing for emergency power for the Mayor. Emergency evacuation may be required at the order of the Mayor, the Chief of Police, the Fire Chief or the Director of Emergency Management. It is unlawful for any person to refuse to or fail to immediately evacuate an area upon receipt of an evacuation order.
The City’s emergency services previously provided an overview of emergency evacuation planning in Colorado Springs and review of an outline of the proposed ordinance to codify regular and timely planning updates and community education regarding evacuation plans.
Previous Council Action:
City Council held a work session on February 21, 2022 to hear a fire mitigation and emergency evacuation planning update and review a proposed ordinance outline. The proposed ordinance follows the outline presented at the previous work session.
Financial Implications:
The Administration does not anticipate any significant additional costs for evacuation planning. Acquisition of emergency management software is in progress and appropriated for.
City Council Appointed Board/Commission/Committee Recommendation:
Enter Board, Commission, or Committee recommendation. Enter N/A if not applicable.
Stakeholder Process:
The Police Department, Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management and City Traffic Engineer are coordinating to provide fire evacuation planning and to codify requirements for timely updating of plans and community outreach.
The stakeholder process will include education and outreach to community members, including residents living in the Wildland Urban Interface.
Alternatives:
Do not approve the proposed ordinance
Recommended Action
Proposed Motion:
Approve an Ordinance amending Section 102 (Definitions) and creating a new Section 108 (Emergency Evacuation Procedures) of Part 1 (Purpose and Powers; Continuity) an creating a new Section 206 (Emergency Evacuation Plan) of Part 2 (Office of Emergency Management) of Article 7 (Emergency Management) of Chapter 8 (Public Safety) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to Emergency Evacuations
Summary of Ordinance Language
An Ordinance amending Section 102 (Definitions) and creating a new Section 108 (Emergency Evacuation Procedures) of Part 1 (Purpose and Powers; Continuity) an creating a new Section 206 (Emergency Evacuation Plan) of Part 2 (Office of Emergency Management) of Article 7 (Emergency Management) of Chapter 8 (Public Safety) of the Code of the City of Colorado Springs 2001, as amended, pertaining to Emergency Evacuations