(a) At the direction of the governor, the head of each executive department and independent agency must select from within such department or agency a person or persons to be designated as the ESC or ESCs for the department or agency, in addition to one (1) or more alternate ESCs. TEMA must define in the TEMP the number of ESCs needed for each executive department and independent agency to coordinate an effective response to the various types of emergencies and disasters, subject to periodic review and revision as required by § 58-2-106(b)(13).
Disaster: means any natural, technological, or civil emergency that causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to result in a declaration of a state emergency by a county, the governor, or the president of the United States. See Tennessee Code 58-2-101
Emergency: means an occurrence, or threat thereof, whether natural, technological, or manmade, in war or in peace, that results or may result in substantial injury or harm to the population, or substantial damage to or loss of property. See Tennessee Code 58-2-101
ESC: means the person or persons selected by the head of each executive branch agency or commissioner designated by the governor and includes alternates. See Tennessee Code 58-2-101
Person: includes a natural person or entity organized under the laws of this state or any other state or territory of the United States or the federal government, as the case may be, and includes both the singular and plural. See Tennessee Code 58-2-101
(b) An ESC is responsible for coordinating with and reporting to TEMA on emergency preparedness issues, preparing and maintaining emergency preparedness and post-disaster response and recovery plans for the ESC’s department or agency, maintaining rosters of personnel to assist in disaster operations, and coordinating appropriate training for department or agency personnel. An ESC must also attend mandatory training, as determined by the director of TEMA or the director’s designee.(c) An ESC is responsible for ensuring that the ESC’s department or agency prepares and maintains a continuity of operations plan that is reviewed by TEMA.(d) The head of each department or agency must notify TEMA, in writing, of the person or persons designated as ESCs or alternate ESCs and any changes in the designations.(e) Each department or agency is responsible for providing the necessary equipment to its ESCs and alternate ESCs, as prescribed by TEMA, for the performance of the duties of the ESCs and alternate ESCs.(f) TEMA, in consultation with the department of human resources, must develop a mechanism to provide for a salary supplement for the ESCs, subject to available funding. TEMA may withhold this salary supplement based on noncompliance with mandatory training as required in subsection (b). Payment of the salary supplement must be made commensurate with performance of ESC duties, completion of required training, attendance at required workshops, exercises, and meetings, and other factors as deemed appropriate by the director of TEMA working in conjunction with the department of human resources to annually determine the metrics for the salary supplement.
