EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Memphis Code of Ordinances tit. 2, ch. 2-58

in effect

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-58-1 Assigned to division of public service; emergency management expenses.

Sec. 2-58-1. - Assigned to division of public service; emergency management expenses. The civilian defense office shall be known as the emergency management agency and shall be considered as a bureau within the city government and is assigned to the division of public service, which division shall provide for operating funds for the emergency management agency within its budget and all funds expended for the office shall be expended as provided for expenditures by any other bureau of the city government. (Code 1967, § 11-2; Code 1985, § 8-1; Ord. No. 3512, § 1(2), 12-31-1985)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-58-2 Office of director created; appointment and term.

Sec. 2-58-2. - Office of director created; appointment and term. The office of director of emergency management is created. The director shall be appointed by the mayor and shall serve for a term of one year or until his or her successor is appointed. (Code 1967, § 11-3; Code 1985, § 8-2; Ord. No. 3512, § 1(3), 12-31-1985)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-58-3 General powers and duties of director.

Sec. 2-58-3. - General powers and duties of director. A. The director of emergency management shall be charged with the preparation of the emergency management plan for the city together with other duties listed hereafter. B. The duties and responsibilities of the director of emergency management shall include the following: 1. The control and direction of the actual or training efforts of the emergency management organization of the city; 2. The determination of all questions of authority and responsibility that may arise within the emergency management organization; 3. The maintenance of necessary liaison with other municipal, area, state, regional, federal, or other civil defense organizations; 4. The marshalling, after the declaration of an emergency as provided for in section 2-58-6, of all necessary personnel, equipment or supplies from any department of the city to aid in the carrying out of the emergency management plans; 5. The issuance of all necessary proclamations as to the existence of an emergency and the immediate operational effectiveness of the emergency management plan; 6. The issuance of plans which are necessary for the protection of life and property in the city during large scale emergencies; 7. The supervision of the drafting and execution of mutual aid agreements entered into by the city; 8. The supervision of and final authorization for the procurements of all necessary supplies and equipment including acceptance of private contributions; 9. The authorizing of agreements, after approval of the city attorney, for the use of private property for fallout shelters and other purposes. (Code 1967, § 11-8; Code 1985, § 8-3; Ord. No. 3512, § 1(4), (5), 12-31-1985)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-58-4 Operational organization.

Sec. 2-58-4. - Operational organization. The operational emergency management organization of the city shall consist of the officers and employees of the city designated by the mayor, on the recommendation of the director of emergency management, as well as all volunteer municipal defense workers. The functions and duties of this organization shall be distributed among such divisions, services and special staff as the mayor shall prescribe by emergency management plans. Any such plan shall set forth the form of organization, establish and designate divisions and services, assign functions, duties and powers, and designate officers and employees to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Insofar as possible, the form of organization, titles and terminology shall conform to the recommendations of the federal government and the recommendations of the emergency management agency of the state. (Code 1967, § 11-9; Code 1985, § 8-4; Ord. No. 3512, § 1(4), (5), 12-31-1985)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-58-5 Joint city-county operations.

Sec. 2-58-5. - Joint city-county operations. The emergency management agency is specifically authorized to perform identical functions for and on behalf of the county, adopt the joint name of Memphis and Shelby County Emergency Management Agency and receive such contributions from the county towards its budget as the respective legislative bodies of the city and county, may agree upon, by resolution. (Code 1967, § 11-10; Code 1985, § 8-5; Ord. No. 3512, § 1(6), 12-31-1985)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-58-6 Declaration of existence of emergency.

Sec. 2-58-6. - Declaration of existence of emergency. The director of emergency management shall have the authority to request the declaration of the existence of an emergency by the mayor or by higher authority. In the event that it is deemed necessary to declare the existence of an emergency without delay, the director may, if the mayor is not available, do so. Such action shall be subject to the confirmation by the mayor upon his or her return. (Code 1967, § 11-11; Code 1985, § 8-6; Ord. No. 3512, § 1(4), 12-31-1985)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-58-7 Emergency orders, rules and regulations supersede other orders.

Sec. 2-58-7. - Emergency orders, rules and regulations supersede other orders. At all times when the orders, rules and regulations made and promulgated pursuant to this chapter shall be in effect, they shall supersede all existing ordinances, orders, rules and regulations insofar as the latter may be inconsistent therewith. (Code 1967, § 11-13; Code 1985, § 8-7)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-58-8 Interfering with enforcement of or violating emergency rules and regulations.

Sec. 2-58-8. - Interfering with enforcement of or violating emergency rules and regulations. It is unlawful for any person willfully to obstruct, hinder or delay any member of the emergency management organization in the enforcement of any rule or regulation issued pursuant this chapter or to do any act forbidden by any rule or regulation issued pursuant to the authority contained in this chapter. (Code 1967, § 11-14; Code 1985, § 8-8; Ord. No. 3512, § 1(4), 12-31-1985)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-58-9 Impersonating emergency management personnel.

Sec. 2-58-9. - Impersonating emergency management personnel. It is unlawful for any person to wear, carry or display an emblem, insignia or any other means of identification as a member of the emergency management organization of the city unless the authority to do so has been granted to such person by the proper officials. (Code 1967, § 11-15; Code 1985, § 8-9; Ord. No. 3512, § 1(4), 12-31-1985)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-58-10 Unauthorized siren sounding.

Sec. 2-58-10. - Unauthorized siren sounding. Any unauthorized person who shall operate a siren or other device so as to simulate an emergency management warning or termination of such a warning shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor. (Code 1967, § 11-16; Code 1985, § 8-10; Ord. No. 3512, § 1(4), 12-31-1985)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-58-11 City not liable for damages resulting from activities under chapter.

Sec. 2-58-11. - City not liable for damages resulting from activities under chapter. This chapter is an exercise by the city of its governmental functions for the protection of the public peace, health and safety, and the city shall not be liable for any damage sustained to person or property while in good faith carrying out, complying with or attempting to comply with, any order, rule or regulation pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. (Code 1967, § 11-17; Code 1985, § 8-11)

Memphis Code of Ordinances § 2-58-12 Chapter not to conflict with state or federal statute or military orders.

Sec. 2-58-12. - Chapter not to conflict with state or federal statute or military orders. This chapter shall not be construed so as to conflict with any state or federal statute or with any military or naval order, rule or regulation. (Code 1967, § 11-18; Code 1985, § 8-12)

Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT2AD_CH2-58EMMAAGFetched: 10/28/2026