EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS DIVISION

Jacksonville Ordinance Code tit. III, ch. 31, pt. 6

in effect

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 31.601 Created; function.

Sec. 31.601. - Created; function. There is created the Emergency Preparedness Division within the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. The Division shall be responsible for emergency preparedness in accordance with and in support of the national and state emergency preparedness plans and programs and as provided in Chapter 674. The Emergency Preparedness Division shall have an Emergency Preparedness Director and a Division Chief of Emergency Preparedness. The Emergency Preparedness Director and the Division Chief of Emergency Preparedness shall both report to the Director of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department. (Ord. 73-1060-516, § 2; Ord. 81-104-37, § 2; Ord. 81-524-311, § 3; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 84-1296-683, § 5; Ord. 85-463-280, § 7; Ord. 91-1024-418, § 5; Ord. 2020-411-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 31.602 Emergency Preparedness Director.

Sec. 31.602. - Emergency Preparedness Director. The Emergency Preparedness Director shall lead the Emergency Preparedness Division on a day to day basis. The Director shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the City Council, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. The Director shall have had at least five years' administrative or executive experience. The Emergency Preparedness Director shall be responsible for the day to day operations of the Emergency Preparedness Division, including oversight of the Division's budget. (Ord. 73-1060-516, § 2; Ord. 81-104-37, § 2; Ord. 81-524-311, § 3; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 84-1296-683, § 5; Ord. 85-463-280, § 7; Ord. 91-1024-418, § 5; Ord. 95-1272-768, § 1; Ord. 2005-1518-E, § 1; Ord. 2020-411-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 31.603 Emergency Preparedness Director as Duval County Emergency Planning Director.

Sec. 31.603. - Emergency Preparedness Director as Duval County Emergency Planning Director. In addition to all other duties prescribed by law, the Emergency Preparedness Director shall also perform the duties and hold the office of the Duval County Emergency Planning Director. (Ord. 73-1060-516, § 2; Ord. 81-104-37, § 2; Ord. 81-524-311, § 3; Ord. 83-591-400, § 1; Ord. 84-1296-683, § 5; Ord. 85-463-280, § 7; Ord. 91-1024-418, § 5; Ord. 95-1272-768, § 1; Ord. 2020-411-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 31.604 Emergency Preparedness Director as Special Advisor to the Mayor for Emergency Preparedness.

Sec. 31.604. - Emergency Preparedness Director as Special Advisor to the Mayor for Emergency Preparedness. The City Council finds and determines that effective emergency management and preparedness for such emergency management is critical to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City. Effective emergency management and preparedness demands that the Emergency Preparedness Director have immediate, direct and unrestricted access to the Mayor to advise and receive direction on matters involving emergency management and preparedness. Such access, with respect to emergency management and preparedness, should supersede any and all normal reporting requirements through existing chains of command. Therefore, in addition to all other duties prescribed by law, the Emergency Preparedness Director shall also be designated as Special Advisor to the Mayor for Emergency Preparedness. The procedures, duties and responsibilities of the Special Advisor shall include but shall not be limited to the following: (a) The Special Advisor shall have immediate, direct and unrestricted access to the Mayor on all matters concerning the City's management of and preparedness for emergencies. (b) The Special Advisor shall be responsible for presenting to the Mayor a semi-annual emergency preparedness report. This report, to be presented both orally and in writing, shall ensure that the Mayor is kept continually up to date on the ability of the City to prepare for, respond to and manage emergencies under F.S. Ch. 252 and Chapter 674 of the Ordinance Code. (Ord. 94-1272-768, § 2; Ord. 2020-411-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 31.605 Division Chief of Emergency Preparedness.

Sec. 31.605. - Division Chief of Emergency Preparedness. The Division Chief of Emergency Preparedness shall be the division chief of the Emergency Preparedness Division. The Chief shall be appointed by the Mayor, subject to confirmation by the City Council, and shall serve at the pleasure of the Mayor. The Chief shall have at least five years' experience in the administration, training or management of firefighting, emergency medical or rescue personnel, equipment and apparatus. The Chief is responsible for the organization, administration, and operation of the Emergency Preparedness Division, subject to the direction of the Director of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department or the Emergency Preparedness Director. The Chief shall coordinate the activities, services, and programs for emergency management and disaster response within Duval County and shall be the point of contact with other emergency management organizations. The Chief shall prepare a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and program for the emergency management of Duval County pursuant to Chapter 252, Florida Statutes. The Plan shall include, but not be limited to, elements addressing mitigation activities, preparedness, responses to disasters and emergencies, and recovery operations and [the Chief shall] submit the Plan and program to the Director of the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management for review, certification, and consistency with the State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. The Chief shall monitor and advise the Director of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and the Emergency Preparedness Director of any and all threats, emergencies, or disasters that pose a risk to the lives and safety of the residents of Duval County, proposing solutions for their decision on how best to protect people and property from imminent danger, or from further damage. The Chief shall procure supplies and equipment, institute training programs, public preparedness information and education programs, and manage and coordinate disaster drills and exercises in accordance with the Plan. The Chief shall, in consultation with all municipalities, concerned agencies, public utilities and state offices, develop an evacuation plan for Duval County. This plan should be utilized for any or all types of emergencies or disasters. It should coordinate the efforts of all local entities allowing for rapid execution in the face of a sudden disaster. (Ord. 2020-411-E, § 1)

Jacksonville Ordinance Code § 31.606 Cost Recovery Responsibilities.

Sec. 31.606. - Cost Recovery Responsibilities. The Division Chief of Emergency Preparedness shall be primarily responsible for the following duties, in addition to other duties specifically assigned by the Director of the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department or Emergency Preparedness Director: (a) Ensure all required applications, documentation, forms (214's), etc. are properly completed and submitted during times of declared or other emergencies that could result in the recovery of Federal or State funding. (b) Work with the appropriate City, State, or Federal partners to ensure all cost recovery occurs as timely as possible. (Ord. 2020-411-E, § 1)

Source: City of Jacksonville, Ordinance Code and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/fl/jacksonville/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIIEXBR_CH31FIREDE_PT6EMPRDIFetched: 10/27/2026