As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: “Agency” means the Tennessee emergency management agency (TEMA); “Broadcaster” means a radio broadcasting station or a television broadcasting station primarily engaged in the business of facilitating or originating speech, pictures or both through over the air communications, both as to pure speech and commercial speech […]
The general assembly finds and declares that the state is vulnerable to a wide range of emergencies, including natural, technological, terrorist acts, and manmade disasters, all of which threaten the life, health, and safety of its people; damage and destroy property; disrupt services and everyday business and recreational activities; and impede economic growth and development. […]
Because of the existing and continuing possibility of the occurrence of emergencies and disasters resulting from natural, technological, or manmade causes, including acts of terrorism and the recovery therefrom; in order to ensure that preparations of this state will be adequate to deal with, reduce vulnerability to, and recover from such emergencies and disasters; to […]
The governor is hereby authorized and directed to create a state agency to be known as the “Tennessee emergency management agency” (TEMA) under the adjutant general for day-to-day administrative purposes and, upon the recommendation of the adjutant general, to appoint a director of TEMA, who shall be the administrator thereof. The director shall hold office […]
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to: Interfere with the course or conduct of a labor dispute, except that actions otherwise authorized by this chapter or other laws may be taken when necessary to forestall or mitigate imminent or existing danger to public health or safety; Interfere with dissemination of news or comment on […]
The agency is responsible for maintaining a comprehensive statewide program of emergency management. The agency is responsible for coordination with efforts of the federal government with other departments and agencies of state government, county governments, municipal governments and school boards, and private agencies that have a role in emergency management. The director of the agency […]
The governor is responsible for addressing the dangers presented to this state and its people by emergencies. In the event of an emergency beyond local control, the governor, or, in the governor’s absence, the governor’s successor as provided by law, may assume direct operational control over all or any part of the emergency management functions […]
At the direction of the governor, the head of each executive department and independent agency shall select from within such department or agency a person to be designated as the emergency services coordinator (ESC) for the department or agency together with an alternate ESC. The ESC is responsible for coordinating with TEMA and reporting to […]
It is the intent of the general assembly and declared to be the policy of this state that funds to prepare for and meet emergencies shall always be available. It is the intent of the general assembly that the first recourse shall be to annually fund a state emergency management agency. If the governor finds […]
Safeguarding the life and property of its citizens is an innate responsibility of the governing body of each political subdivision of the state. Counties. In order to provide effective and orderly governmental control and coordination of emergency operations in emergencies within the scope of this chapter, each county within this state shall be within the […]
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a person being housed in a camp or shelter organized or maintained by the federal or Tennessee emergency management agency or a local emergency management agency, or pursuant to an action taken by such agency, is authorized to possess a mobile telephone.
TEMA is authorized to provide, within or out of the state, such support from available personnel, equipment, and other resources of state agencies and the political subdivisions of the state as may be necessary to reinforce emergency management agencies in areas stricken by emergency. Such support shall be rendered with due consideration of the plans […]
In carrying out this chapter, the governor, the director of TEMA and the executive officers, or governing bodies of the political subdivisions of the state establishing local emergency management agencies, are directed to utilize the services, equipment, supplies and facilities of existing departments, offices, and agencies of the state and of the political subdivisions thereof […]
Compensation for services or for the taking or use of property shall be owed only to the extent that a claimant may not be deemed to have volunteered the claimant’s services or property without compensation and only to the extent that such taking exceeds the legal responsibility of a claimant to render such services or […]
In addition to prevention measures included in the state and local comprehensive emergency management plans, the governor shall consider, on a continuing basis, steps that could be taken to mitigate the harmful consequences of emergencies. At the governor’s direction, state agencies, including, but not limited to, those charged with responsibilities in connection with flood plain […]
Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law: Whenever the governor deems it to be in the public interest, the governor may: Authorize any department or agency of the state to lease or lend, on such terms and conditions as it may deem necessary to promote the public welfare and protect the interests of the state, any […]
Upon being authorized by the governor, TEMA, or other state department or agency, the political subdivisions of the state and other agencies designated or appointed by the governor, or in the TEMP, are authorized and empowered to make, amend, and rescind such orders and rules as are necessary for emergency management purposes and to supplement […]
It is the duty of every EMA established pursuant to this chapter and the officers and personnel thereof, to execute and enforce such orders, rules and regulations as may be made by the governor under authority of this chapter. Each such organization shall have available for inspection at its office all orders, rules and regulations […]
In the event of an emergency declared pursuant to this chapter, any person or representative thereof violating any order, rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter commits a Class A misdemeanor.
Any person, public or private, owning or controlling real estate or other premises who voluntarily and without compensation grants a license or privilege or otherwise permits the designation by TEMA or EMA for the use of the whole or any part of such real estate or premises for the purpose of sheltering persons during an […]
