Mission

The City of Edwardsville established the City Emergency Services and Disaster Agency, commonly refered to as the Emergency Management Agency or EMA to prevent, minimize, repair and alleviate injury or damage resulting from disaster caused by enemy attack, sabotage or other hostile action or from natural or man made disaster, in accordance with the Illinois Emergency Services and Disaster Agency Act of 1975, now referred to as the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act 20 ILCS 3305.

Overview

The Mayor shall appoint the Coordinator of the City EMA, with the consent of Council, who shall serve until removed by the same. The Coordinator shall have direct responsibility for the organization, administration, training, and operation of EMA, subject to the direction and control of the Mayor, as provided by statute.

In the event of the absence, resignation, death or inability to serve of the Coordinator, the Mayor, or any person designated by him, shall be and act as Coordinator, until a new appointment is made as provided in City Ordinance, Ord. 1647-10-76. Passed 10-7-76.

Function

The City EMA shall perform such EMA functions within the City as are prescribed in and by the State EMA plan and program prepared by the Governor and such orders, rules and regulations as may be promulgated by the Governor and, in addition, shall perform such duties outside the corporate limits, as may be required, pursuant to any mutual aid agreement with any other political subdivision, municipality or quasi-municipality entered into, as provided in the Illinois Emergency Services and Disaster Agency Act of 1975.

Mutual Aid

The Coordinator of the City EMA may negotiate mutual aid agreements with other cities or political subdivisions of the State, but no such agreement shall be effective until it has been approved by the Mayor and by the Director of the State EMA. If the Governor proclaims that a disaster emergency exists in the event of actual enemy attack upon the United States or the occurrence within the State of a major disaster resulting from enemy sabotage or other hostile action or from man-made or natural disaster, the City EMA shall cooperate fully with the State EMA and with the Governor in the exercise of emergency powers as provided by law.

In the Event of Disaster

The Mayor may, on recommendation of the Coordinator of the City EMA, authorize any purchase or contract necessary to place the City in a position to combat effectively any disaster resulting from the explosion of any nuclear or other bomb or missile and to protect the public health and safety, protect property, and provide emergency assistance to victims in the case of such disaster or from man made or natural disaster. In the event of enemy-caused or other disaster, the Coordinator is authorized, on behalf of the City, to procure such services, supplies, equipment or material as may be necessary for such purposes in view of the necessity, without regard to the statutory procedures or formalities normally prescribed by law pertaining to City contracts or obligations, as authorized by the Illinois Emergency Services and Disaster Agency Act of 1975, provided that if the Mayor meets at such time, he shall act subject to the directions and restrictions imposed by the City EMA.

Oath

Every person appointed to serve in any capacity in the City EMA shall, before entering upon his duties, subscribe to the following oath, which shall be filed with the Coordinator:

“ I, ____________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend and bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Illinois, and the territory, institutions, and facilities thereof, both public and private, against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties upon which I am about to enter. And I do further swear (or affirm) that I do not advocate, nor am I nor have I been a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or of this State by force or violence; and that during such time as I am affiliated with the Edwardsville EMA organization, I will not advocate nor become a member of any political party or organization that advocates the overthrow of the government of the United States or of this State by force or violence.”

More Information

The Mayor is authorized per ordinance to designate space in a City building, or elsewhere, for the City EMA office. Council is authorized to make an appropriation for EMA purposes in the manner provided by law, and may levy in addition, for EMA purposes only, a tax not to exceed five cents ($0.05) per one hundred dollars ($100) of the assessed value of all taxable property in addition to all other taxes, as provided by the Illinois Emergency Services and Disaster Agency Act of 1975. However, that amount collectible under such levy shall in no event exceed twenty-five cents ($0.25) per capita.