Title
Resolution to Appoint a New Emergency Management Director and Establish the Line of Succession to the Emergency Management Director for the City of Ann Arbor
Memorandum
Section 1:326 of the Ann Arbor City Code vests the Mayor with the appointment of the Emergency Management Director for the City of Ann Arbor. Recent changes in the Safety Services Area staffing assignments and structure necessitated the need to hire a civilian to manage the office of Emergency Management within the City.
Rick Norman has an extensive background in Emergency Management and program development. He was employed by the American Red Cross of Greater Grand Rapids for approximately five years where he was responsible for disaster preparedness systems and management of volunteers for both local and national response. During that time he developed several programs including a smoke alarm installation initiative supported by a Federal grant award, and development of the first Community Emergency Response Team in West Michigan.
He then moved to the position of Emergency Management Coordinator with Ionia County where he initiated a county-wide School Emergency Response Plan, Court and Facility Emergency Plan including weapons screening protocols, and development of a county-wide Hazmat Response Team. He also served as a Region 6 Homeland Security Planner.
The attached Resolution formally appoints Mr. Norman to succeed Sgt. Edward Dreslinski to the position of Emergency Management Director. The Resolution also appoints a line of succession for the new Emergency Management Director. It is necessary to do so at this time due to staff changes. The named individuals in the Resolution are appointed to serve and assist the Emergency Management Director and in the absence or unavailability of the Emergency Management Director, in order of precedence named, assumed the duties of the Director on an interim basis: Sgt. Edward Dreslinski, Mary Joan Fales, Lt. Myron Blackwell, , Matthew Schroeder, Andrew Box and Matt Naud. All of the named assistants, with the exception of Matthew Naud, have received Professional Emergency Management Certification and all have been previously appointed to serve in this capacity by Mayor and Council.
Staff
Prepared by: Mary Joan Fales, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Reviewed by: Chief Barnett Jones, AAPD/Safety Services Area Administrator; Steven D. Powers, City Administrator; Rick Norman, Emergency Management
Sponsored by: Mayor Hieftje
Body
Whereas, The Emergency Preparedness Act, Public Act 390 of 1976, as amended (the "Act") authorizes the City to provide for the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery from natural and human-made disasters;
Whereas, City Council has adopted Chapter 15 of the Ann Arbor City Code (the "Code") to comply with the requirements of the Act and ensure complete and efficient utilization of all City resources during periods of disaster or emergency;
Whereas, The Mayor acts, as required by the Act and Section 1:327 of the Code, as the director of emergency services forces for the City and works through the Emergency Management Director in administration and operation of the City of Ann Arbor Emergency Operations Plan;
Whereas, Section 1:326 of the Code vests the Mayor with the appointment of the Emergency Management Director who shall act for and at the direction of the Mayor in the coordination of all emergency services, disaster preparedness, planning and recovery assistance within the City of Ann Arbor;
Whereas, Section 1:328 of the Code requires that a minimum of one successor to the position of Emergency Management Director be appointed and that the line of succession be established by Resolution;
Whereas, Changes in the Safety Services Area structure necessitated the hiring of a civilian Emergency Management Director and a change in the current line of succession appointment of Assistant Emergency Management Directors;
Whereas, Rick Norman having the necessary experience, qualifications and certifications was selected for the position of Emergency Management Director;
RESOLVED, That operation of the Office of Emergency Management and responsibility for compliance with the program standards and requirements established by the City in coordination with federal and state agencies shall be, effective the date of this Resolution, confirmed under the command of Rick Norman, PEM, CEM, appointed Emergency Management Director;
RESOLVED, That the following assistants are named to service and assist the Emergency Management Director and in the absence or unavailability of the Emergency Management Director shall, in order of precedence as named here, assume the duties of the Emergency Management Director: Sgt. Edward Dreslinski, Mary Joan Fales, Lt. Myron Blackwell, , Matthew Schroeder, Andrew Box and Matt Naud;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor retains the authority as stated in Section 1:326 of the Code to remove or alter any individuals lists as assistants to the Emergency Management Director or the order of precedence for assumption of the duties of the Emergency Management Director;
RESOLVED, A copy of this appointing Resolution shall be listed in the City of Ann Arbor's Emergency Response Plan as required by Section 1:328 of the Code.