Agenda Item # 1

Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

03/27/2012

Agenda Report # 025

TO: Mayor and Council

SUBJECT: Georgia Emergency Management Agency-Homeland
Security Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement

INITIATED BY: Riley Land, Deputy Director, Emergency Management Division
Columbus Fire and Emergency Medical Services

Recommendation: Approval is requested for the approval of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency-Homeland Security Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement.

Background: The Georgia Emergency Management Agency requires that this agreement be signed and adopted in order to make Columbus eligible for federal and state aid in the event of a disaster or emergency.

Financial Considerations: There is no cost to the agreement but without the agreement the city would be liable for all costs and expenses in the event of a declared disaster or emergency. The City of Columbus received approximately $ 700,000 in reimbursement of expenses in the response to the March 1, 2007 tornado that hit Columbus.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement: N/A

Legal Considerations: The agreement has been approved by the City Attorney's Office

Recommendations/Actions: Approval is requested for the Mayor to execute the Georgia Emergency Management Agency-Homeland Security Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement.




Statewide Mutual Aid 2012.doc


A RESOLUTION

NO. _____


WHEREAS, the state of Georgia and the city of Columbus are vulnerable to a wide range of natural and man-made disasters. The Georgia Emergency Management Act, as amended, gives the local governments of the State the authority to make agreements for mutual assistance in emergencies; and,

WHEREAS, the purpose of such an agreement is to provide for mutual assistance between participating parties in managing any emergency or disaster that is duly declared by the governing authority of any political subdivision that is a participating party, whether arising from natural disaster, technological hazard, human caused disaster, civil emergency or as a result of community disorders, insurgency, enemy attack, acts of terrorism, or other significant events or a national security activity; and,

WHEREAS, through such agreements timely reimbursement of costs incurred by the local governments which render such assistance is made possible; and,

WHEREAS, the prompt, full and effective utilization of resources of the participating parties, including any resources on hand or available from the State or Federal government or any other sources, that are essential to the safety, care and welfare of the people in the event of any locally declared emergency or emergency declared by the Governor shall be the underlying principal on which all articles of this agreement shall be understood; and,

WHEREAS, the document titled, “Georgia Emergency Management Agency-Homeland Security Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement” upon being adopted by the Columbus City Council will allow the City of Columbus to be eligible for federal and state assistance during declared disasters.

NOW, THEREFORE, THE COUNCIL OF COLUMBUS, GEORGIA HEREBY RESOLVES:

That the Mayor is hereby authorized to execute the Georgia Emergency Management Agency-Homeland Security Statewide Mutual Aid and Assistance Agreement.

___________

Introduced at a regular meeting of the Council of Columbus, Georgia, held the _________day of _____________, 2012 and adopted at said meeting by the affirmative vote of
_______________ members of said Council.


Councilor Allen voting __________.
Councilor Baker voting __________.
Councilor Barnes voting __________.
Councilor Davis voting __________.
Councilor Henderson voting __________.
Councilor Huff voting __________.
Councilor McDaniel voting __________.
Councilor Turner Pugh voting __________.
Councilor Thomas voting __________.
Councilor Woodson voting __________.

_________________________________ _________________________
Sandra T. Davis, Deputy Clerk of Council Teresa Pike Tomlinson, Mayor