Sec. 7. (a) Because of the existing and increasing possibility of disasters or emergencies of unprecedented size and destructiveness that may result from manmade or natural causes, to ensure that Indiana will be adequately prepared to deal with disasters or emergencies or to prevent or mitigate those disasters where possible, generally to provide for the common defense, to protect the public peace, health, and safety, and to preserve the lives and property of the people of the state, it is found and declared to be necessary:

(1) to provide for emergency management under the department of homeland security;

(2) to create local emergency management departments and to authorize and direct disaster and emergency management functions in the political subdivisions of the state;

(3) to confer upon the governor and upon the executive heads or governing bodies of the political subdivisions of the state the emergency powers provided in this chapter;

(4) to provide for the rendering of mutual aid among the political subdivisions of the state, with other states, and with the federal government to carry out emergency, disaster, or emergency management functions; and

(5) to authorize the establishment of organizations and the implementation of steps that are necessary and appropriate to carry out this chapter.

     (b) It is also the purpose of this chapter and the policy of the state to:

(1) coordinate all emergency management functions of this state to the maximum extent with the comparable functions of:

(A) the federal government, including the federal government’s various departments and agencies;

(B) other states and localities; and

(C) private agencies of every type;

so that the most effective preparation and use may be made of the nation’s manpower, resources, and facilities for dealing with any disaster that may occur;

(2) prepare for prompt and efficient rescue, care, and treatment of persons victimized or threatened by disaster;

(3) provide a setting conducive to the rapid and orderly start of restoration and rehabilitation of persons and property affected by disasters;

(4) clarify and strengthen the roles of the:

(A) governor;

(B) state agencies; and

(C) local governments;

in the prevention of, preparation for, response to, and recovery from disasters;

(5) authorize and provide cooperation between departments of government in:

(A) disaster prevention;

(B) preparedness;

(C) response; and

(D) recovery;

(6) authorize and provide coordination of activities relating to:

(A) disaster prevention;

(B) preparedness;

(C) response; and

(D) recovery;

by agencies and officers of Indiana, and similar state-local, interstate, federal-state, and foreign activities in which the state and its political subdivisions may participate; and

(7) provide a disaster management system embodying all aspects of pre-disaster preparedness, disaster operations, and post-disaster response.

[Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-4-1-2.]

As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.1-2006, SEC.175.