CHAPTER 166
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
166.01 Declaration of policy.
166.03 Emergency management.
166.04 State traffic patrol and conservation warden duties during civil disorder.
166.05 Emergency seat of state government.
166.06 Emergency temporary locations of government for counties, towns and municipalities.
166.07 Succession to local offices.
166.08 Succession to office.
166.09 Public shelters; immunity from civil liability.
166.10 Preservation of essential public records.
166.15 Radioactive waste emergencies.
166.20 Hazardous substances information and emergency planning.
166.21 Emergency planning grants.
166.215 Hazardous substance emergency response.
166.22 Local agency response and reimbursement.
166.23 Emergency powers of cities, villages and towns.
166.30 Emergency management assistance compact.
166.01
166.01
Declaration of policy. To prepare the state and its subdivisions to cope with emergencies resulting from enemy action and natural or man-made disasters, it is declared to be necessary to establish an organization for emergency management, conferring upon the governor and others specified the powers and duties provided by this chapter.
166.01 History
History: 1979 c. 361 s.
52;
1995 a. 247.
166.02
166.02
Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
166.02(1g)
(1g) "Adjutant general" means the adjutant general of the department of military affairs.
166.02(1m)
(1m) "Administrator" means the administrator of the division.
166.02(2)
(2) "Civil defense" means all measures undertaken by or on behalf of the state and its subdivisions to prepare for and minimize the effect of enemy action upon the civilian population.
166.02(3)
(3) "Division" means the division of emergency management.
166.02(4)
(4) "Emergency management" includes "civil defense" and means all measures undertaken by or on behalf of the state and its subdivisions:
166.02(4)(a)
(a) To prepare for and minimize the effect of enemy action and natural or man-made disaster upon the civilian population.
166.02(4)(b)
(b) To effectuate emergency repairs to, or the emergency restoration of, vital public utilities and facilities destroyed or damaged by such action or disaster.
166.02(5)
(5) "Enemy action" means hostile action by a foreign power which threatens the security of this state or a portion thereof.
166.02 History
History: 1979 c. 361 ss.
54,
73;
1989 a. 31;
1995 a. 247.
166.03
166.03
Emergency management. 166.03(1)
(1)
Powers and duties of the governor. 166.03(1)(a)1.
1. Review orders establishing or altering emergency management areas.
166.03(1)(a)2.
2. Review state emergency management plans and modifications thereof.
166.03(1)(a)3.
3. Employ the division of emergency management during a state of emergency proclaimed by him or her, issue orders and delegate such authority as is deemed necessary to the administrator.
166.03(1)(a)4.
4. Determine responsibilities of state departments and independent agencies in respect to emergency management and by order direct such departments and agencies in utilizing personnel, facilities, supplies and equipment before and during a state of emergency.
166.03(1)(b)1.
1. Proclaim a state of emergency for the state or any portion thereof if he or she determines that an emergency resulting from enemy action or natural or man-made disaster exists. The duration of such state of emergency shall not exceed 60 days as to emergencies resulting from enemy action or 30 days as to emergencies resulting from natural or man-made disaster, unless either is extended by joint resolution of the legislature. A copy of the proclamation shall be filed with the secretary of state. The proclamation may be revoked at the discretion of either the governor by written order or the legislature by joint resolution.
166.03(1)(b)2.
2. On behalf of the state, enter into mutual aid agreements concerning emergency management with other states.
166.03(1)(b)3.
3. Accept from any source gifts and grants including services for emergency management purposes and may authorize state, county, town and municipal officers to receive such gifts and grants. When grants require county, town or municipal participation, the state may transfer title to equipment acquired through such agreement to participating counties, towns and municipalities.
166.03(1)(b)4.
4. During a state of emergency, declare priority of emergency management contracts over other contracts, allocate materials and facilities in his or her discretion, and take, use and destroy private property for emergency management purposes. Such taking, use or destruction shall be in the name of the state. Records shall be kept of such action and such records shall be evidence of a claim against the state. Any such claim shall be referred to the claims board under
s. 16.007.
166.03(1)(b)5.
5. During a state of emergency, issue such orders as he or she deems necessary for the security of persons and property.
166.03(1)(b)6.
6. During a state of emergency, contract on behalf of the state with any person to provide equipment and services on a cost basis to be used in disaster relief.
166.03(1)(b)7.
7. Enter into a contract with the sheriff of a county having a population of 500,000 or more for helicopter support services under
sub. (2) (b) 9.
166.03(2)
(2) Powers and duties of adjutant general. 166.03(2)(a)1.
1. Subject to approval by the governor, develop and promulgate a state plan of emergency management for the security of persons and property which shall be mandatory during a state of emergency. In developing the plan, the adjutant general shall seek the advice of the department of health and family services with respect to the emergency medical aspects of the plan.
166.03(2)(a)2.
2. Prescribe and carry out statewide training programs and exercises to develop emergency management proficiency, disseminate information including warnings of enemy action, serve as the principal assistant to the governor in the direction of emergency management activities and coordinate emergency management programs between counties.
166.03(2)(a)3.
3. Furnish guidance and develop and promulgate standards for emergency management programs for counties, towns and municipalities, and prescribe nomenclature for all levels of emergency management.
166.03(2)(a)5.
5. Provide assistance to the Wisconsin wing of the civil air patrol from the appropriation under
s. 20.465 (3) (f) for the purpose of enabling the patrol to perform its assigned missions and duties as prescribed by U.S. air force regulations. Expenses eligible for assistance are aircraft acquisition and maintenance, communications equipment acquisition and maintenance and office staffing and operational expenses. The civil air patrol shall submit vouchers for expenses eligible for assistance to the division.
166.03(2)(b)1.
1. Divide the state into emergency management areas composed of whole counties by general or special written orders subject to approval by the governor, and modify the boundaries thereof as changed conditions warrant. Such areas shall be classified and designated in accordance with standards promulgated under the federal civil defense act of 1950, as amended.
166.03(2)(b)2.
2. Appoint a head of emergency management for each area established in accordance with
subd. 1. under the classified service on either a part-time or full-time basis, or may request the governor to designate any state officer or employee as acting area head on a part-time basis.
166.03(2)(b)3.
3. Designate and post highways as emergency management routes closed to all but authorized vehicles when required for training programs and exercises.
166.03(2)(b)4.
4. Prescribe traffic routes and control traffic during a state of emergency.
166.03(2)(b)5.
5. Organize and train state mobile support units to aid any area during a state of emergency. Such units may participate in training programs and exercises both within and outside the state.
166.03(2)(b)6.
6. Request the department of health and family services to inspect or provide for the inspection of shipments of radioactive waste, obtain and analyze data concerning the radiation level of shipments of radioactive waste and issue reports concerning these shipments and radiation levels. The adjutant general may assess and collect and receive contributions for any costs incurred under this subdivision from any person who produced the radioactive waste which is the subject of the activity for which the costs are incurred. In this subdivision, "radioactive waste" has the meaning given in
s. 293.25 (1) (b).
166.03(2)(b)7.
7. Assess and collect and receive contributions for any costs incurred by state agencies to establish and maintain radiological emergency response plans related to nuclear generating facilities.
166.03(2)(b)8.
8. Make payments from the appropriation under
s. 20.465 (3) (e) to pay this state's share of grants to individuals and to provide a share of any required state share of contributions to local governments as defined in
42 USC 5122 (6) for major disaster recovery assistance. Payment of this state's share of any contribution to a local government under this subdivision is contingent upon copayment of that share by the local government, but not to exceed 12.5% of the total eligible cost of assistance. No payment may be made under this subdivision without the prior approval of the secretary of administration.
166.03(2)(b)9.
9. Make payments from the appropriation under
s. 20.465 (3) (c) to a sheriff of a county having a population of 500,000 or more for the provision of helicopter support services for boating safety, disaster assistance, drug interdiction assistance, fire fighting assistance, law enforcement assistance, search and rescue operations and traffic control operations to public safety agencies, as defined in
s. 146.70 (1) (g), under a contract entered into by the governor under
sub. (1) (b) 7.
166.03(3)
(3) Powers and duties of area heads. Area heads of emergency management may exercise such powers as are delegated and shall perform such duties as are assigned to them by the adjutant general.
166.03(4)
(4) Powers and duties of counties and municipalities. 166.03(4)(a)(a) The governing body of each county, town and municipality shall adopt an effective program of emergency management consistent with the state plan of emergency management and, except at the county level in counties having a county executive, shall appoint a head of emergency management services. Each such governing body may appropriate funds and levy taxes for this program.
166.03(4)(b)
(b) In counties having a county executive under
s. 59.17, the county board shall designate the county executive or confirm his or her appointee as county head of emergency management services.
166.03(4)(c)
(c) Each county board shall designate a committee of the board as a county emergency management committee whose chairperson shall be a member of the committee designated by the chairperson of the county board. The committee, in counties having a county executive under
s. 59.17, shall retain policy-making and rule-making powers in the establishment and development of county emergency management plans and programs.
166.03(4)(d)
(d) During the continuance of a state of emergency proclaimed by the governor the county board of each county situated within the area to which the governor's proclamation applies may employ the county emergency management organization and the facilities and other resources of the organization to cope with the problems of the emergency, and the governing body of each municipality and town situated within the area shall have similar authority with respect to municipal emergency management organizations, facilities and resources. Nothing in this chapter prohibits counties and municipalities from employing their emergency management organizations, facilities and resources to cope with the problems of local public emergencies except where restrictions are imposed by federal regulations on property donated by the federal government.
166.03(5)
(5) Powers and duties of head of emergency management services. 166.03(5)(a)(a) The head of emergency management services in each county, town and municipality shall for his or her respective county, town or municipality, develop and promulgate emergency management plans consistent with state plans, direct the emergency management program and perform such other duties related to emergency management as are required by the governing body and the emergency management committee of the governing body when applicable.
166.03(5)(b)
(b) The head of emergency management services in each county shall coordinate and assist in developing town and municipal emergency management plans within the county, integrate such plans with the county plan, advise the department of all emergency management planning in the county and submit to the adjutant general such reports as he or she requires, direct and coordinate emergency management activities throughout the county during a state of emergency, and direct countywide emergency management training programs and exercises.
166.03(5)(c)
(c) The head of emergency management services in each town and municipality shall direct local emergency management training programs and exercises, direct participation in emergency management programs and exercises ordered by the adjutant general and the county head of emergency management services, and advise the county head of emergency management services on local emergency management programs and submit to him or her such reports as he or she requires.
166.03(5)(d)
(d) During the continuance of a state of emergency proclaimed by the governor, the head of emergency management services in each county, town and municipality, on behalf of his or her respective county, town or municipality, may contract with any person to provide equipment and services on a cost basis to be used in disaster relief.
166.03(5a)
(5a) Role of state agency in emergency. Unless otherwise specified by law, the role of any state agency, including the department of military affairs and its division of emergency government, in an emergency under this chapter, is to assist local units of government and local law enforcement agencies in responding to the emergency.
166.03(6)
(6) Emergency use of vehicles. In responding to an official request for help during any state of emergency, any person may operate any vehicle without regard for motor vehicle registration laws and without being subject to arrest under
s. 341.04.
166.03(7)(a)(a) Counties, towns and municipalities may cooperate under
s. 66.0301 to furnish services, combine offices and finance emergency management services.
166.03(7)(b)
(b) Counties, towns and municipalities may contract for emergency management services with political subdivisions, emergency management units and civil defense units of this state, and upon prior approval of the adjutant general, with such entities in bordering states. A copy of each such agreement shall be filed with the adjutant general within 10 days after execution thereof.
166.03(7)(c)
(c) The state and its departments and independent agencies and each county, town and municipality shall furnish whatever services, equipment, supplies and personnel are required of them under this chapter.
166.03(8)(a)(a) No emergency management organization established under this section shall participate in any form of political activity or be employed directly or indirectly for any political activity.
166.03(8)(b)
(b) No emergency management organization established under this section shall be employed to interfere with the orderly process of a labor dispute.
166.03(8)(c)
(c) No person shall be employed or associated in any capacity in any emergency management organization under this section who advocates a change by force or violence in the constitutional form of government of the United States or this state or who has been convicted of or is under indictment or information charging any subversive act against the United States.
166.03(8)(d)
(d) Employees of municipal and county emergency management units are employees of the municipality or county to which the unit is attached for purposes of worker's compensation benefits. Employees of the area and state emergency management units are employees of the state for purposes of worker's compensation benefits. Volunteer emergency management workers are employees of the emergency management unit with whom duly registered in writing for purposes of worker's compensation benefits. An emergency management employee or volunteer who engages in emergency management activities upon order of any echelon in the emergency management organization other than that which carries his or her worker's compensation coverage shall be eligible for the same benefits as though employed by the governmental unit employing him or her. Any employment which is part of an emergency management program including but not restricted because of enumeration, test runs and other activities which have a training objective as well as emergency management activities during an emergency proclaimed in accordance with this chapter and which grows out of, and is incidental to, such emergency management activity is covered employment. Members of an emergency management unit who are not acting as employees of a private employer during emergency management activities are employees of the emergency management unit for which acting. If no pay agreement exists or if the contract pay is less, pay for worker's compensation purposes shall be computed in accordance with
s. 102.11.
166.03(8)(e)
(e) Emergency management employees as defined in
par. (d) shall be indemnified by their sponsor against any tort liability to third persons incurred in the performance of emergency management activities while acting in good faith and in a reasonable manner. Emergency management activities constitute a governmental function.
166.03(8)(f)
(f) If the total liability for worker's compensation benefits under
par. (d), indemnification under
par. (e) and loss from destruction of equipment under
sub. (9), incurred in any calendar year exceeds $1 per capita of the sponsor's population, the state shall reimburse the sponsor for the excess. Payment shall be made from the appropriation in
s. 20.465 (3) (a) on certificate of the adjutant general.
