WHEREAS, Liberty County and Central City have by ordinance established similar programs of disaster prevention and preparedness including the prevention, protection, response, recovery and mitigation mission areas of emergency management; and

WHEREAS, the county and city find that vulnerability to many potential hazards is shared by the people of Central City and Liberty County; and

WHEREAS, the county and city further find that the common goals of emergency management can best be achieved through an organization which shares the combined resources of the county and city; and

WHEREAS, The National Response Framework (NRF) is part of the National Strategy for Homeland Security that presents the guiding principles enabling all levels of domestic response partners to prepare for and provide a unified national response to disasters and emergencies. Building on the existing National Incident Management System (NIMS) standardization, the NRF’s coordinating structures are always in effect for implementation at any level and at any time for local, State, and national emergency or disaster response; and

WHEREAS, Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPDs) require that all State emergency services functions will be accomplished in accordance with NIMS. HSPD requires all Federal, State, local, and tribal agencies and jurisdictions to adopt NIMS and use it in their individual domestic incident management, emergency prevention, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation activities, as well as in support of all actions taken to assist local entities; and

WHEREAS, The contemplated action is specifically authorized by State law and ordinance enacted by the Liberty County Board of County Supervisors and City Council of Central City;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That there is hereby established a joint emergency management organization to be known as the Liberty County/Central City Multiagency Coordination Group (MAC Group) which shall consist of appropriate officers and employees of the county and the city as designated in a joint emergency plan or as determined by the governing bodies of both jurisdictions, together with representatives of such volunteer groups as may be desirable and appropriate; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the chairman of the Liberty County Board of County Supervisors and the mayor of Central City mutually appoint an emergency management coordinator to coordinate all aspects of the county/city program of emergency management including the preparation and maintenance of a joint Emergency Management Plan (EMP) for Liberty County and Central City; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That Liberty County will use NIMS to manage domestic incidents within the county in all phases of emergency management; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That Liberty County and Central City welcome the inclusion of other municipalities or other political subdivisions which may want to participate in this multi-jurisdictional/multi-agency emergency management operating entity.