2005 North Carolina Code - General Statutes § 166A-7. County and municipal emergency management.

§ 166A‑7.  County and municipal emergency management.

(a)       The governing body of each county is responsible for emergency management, as defined in G.S. 166A‑4, within the geographical limits of such county. All emergency management efforts within the county will be coordinated by the county, including activities of the municipalities within the county.

(1)       The governing body of each county is hereby authorized to establish and maintain an emergency management agency for the purposes contained in G.S. 166A‑2.

(2)       The governing body of each county which establishes an emergency management agency pursuant to this authorization will appoint a coordinator who will have a direct responsibility for the organization, administration and operation of the county program and will be subject to the direction and guidance of such governing body.

(3)       In the event any county fails to establish an emergency management agency, and the Governor, in his discretion, determines that a need exists for such an emergency management agency, then the Governor is hereby empowered to establish an emergency management agency within said county.

(b)       All incorporated municipalities are authorized to establish and maintain emergency management agencies subject to coordination by the county. Joint agencies composed of a county and one or more municipalities within its borders may be formed.

(c)       Each county and incorporated municipality in this State is authorized to make appropriations for the purposes of this Article and to fund them by levy of property taxes pursuant to G.S. 153A‑149 and G.S. 160A‑209 and by the allocation of other revenues, whose use is not otherwise restricted by law.

(d)       In carrying out the provisions of this Article each political subdivision is authorized:

(1)       To appropriate and expend funds, make contracts, obtain and distribute equipment, materials, and supplies for emergency management purposes and to provide for the health and safety of persons and property, including emergency assistance, consistent with this Article;

(2)       To direct and coordinate the development of emergency management plans and programs in accordance with the policies and standards set by the State;

(3)       To assign and make available all available resources for emergency management purposes for service within or outside of the physical limits of the subdivision; and

(4)       To delegate powers in a local state of emergency under G.S. 166A‑8 to an appropriate official.

(e)       Each county which establishes an emergency management agency pursuant to State standards and which meets requirements for local plans and programs may be eligible to receive State financial assistance. Such financial assistance for the maintenance and operation of a county emergency management program will not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for any fiscal year and is subject to an appropriation being made for this purpose. Eligibility of each county will be determined annually by the State. (1951, c. 1016, s. 6; 1953, c. 1099, s. 4; 1957, c. 950, s. 2; 1959, c. 337, s. 5; 1973, c. 620, s. 9; 1975, c. 734, ss. 12, 14, 16; 1977, c. 848, s. 2; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1310, s. 2; 1995, c. 509, ss. 126, 127.)