26-311. Local emergencies; declaration by mayor or chairman of the board; power of political subdivisions; state agency assistance

339 words·~2 min read·/az/title-26/26-311

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

A. In addition to the powers granted by other provisions of the law or charter, if the mayor of an incorporated city or town or the chairman of the board of supervisors for the unincorporated areas of the county deems that an emergency exists due to fire, conflagration, flood, earthquake, explosion, war, bombing, acts of the enemy or any other natural or man-made calamity or disaster or by reason of threats or occurrences of riots, routs, affrays or other acts of civil disobedience that endanger life or property within the city, town or unincorporated areas of the county, or portion thereof, the mayor or chairman of the board of supervisors, if authorized by ordinance or resolution, may declare, by proclamation, an emergency or a local emergency to exist.

B. If an emergency is declared pursuant to subsection A of this section, the mayor or the chairman of the board of supervisors shall govern during such an emergency by proclamation and shall have the authority to impose all necessary regulations to preserve the peace and order of the city, town, or unincorporated areas of the county, excluding the ordering of the closure of businesses, but including the following:

1. Imposing curfews in all or portions of the political subdivision.

2. Closing to public access any public building, street or other public place.

3. Calling on regular or auxiliary law enforcement agencies and organizations within or without the political subdivision for assistance.

4. Notifying the constitutional officers that the county office for which they are responsible may remain open or may close for the emergency.

C. In periods of a local emergency, including an emergency declared pursuant to subsection A of this section, political subdivisions have full power to provide mutual aid to any affected area in accordance with local ordinances, resolutions, emergency plans or agreements therefor.

D. State agencies may provide mutual aid, including personnel, equipment and other available resources, to assist political subdivisions during a local emergency in accordance with emergency plans or at the direction of the governor.