Executive Order Number Seventy-One Directing The Delaware Emergency Management Agency To Organize Volunteers For Response Efforts Involving Hurricane Katrina And Its Aftermath
WHEREAS, in 1996, Delaware became a party to the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (“EMAC”), codified at Title 20 of the Delaware Code, Chapter 34, an interstate compact that provides for mutual assistance between requesting states in managing gubernatorial-declared emergencies or disasters; and
WHEREAS, as a result of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, emergency assistance has been requested of the State of Delaware through the EMAC; and
WHEREAS, in order to facilitate the deployment of professional volunteers and certain State employees who will provide services in affected states that request assistance in accordance with EMAC and other applicable provisions of Delaware law, and to invoke the emergency powers of the Governor, an executive order is appropriate,
NOW THEREFORE, I, RUTH ANN MINNER, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Delaware, including without limitation such powers as are available under Title 20 of the Delaware Code, do hereby declare and order as follows:
1. I authorize and direct the Delaware Emergency Management Agency during this emergency period, to engage, deploy and coordinate available professional volunteers and certain State employees to states affected by Hurricane Katrina that request assistance under the EMAC, and/or other applicable provisions of Delaware law.
2. I further authorize and direct that volunteers coordinated and deployed by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency pursuant to this Order shall be deemed officers of the State of Delaware under the EMAC or other applicable provisions of Delaware law, and shall enjoy all privileges and immunities available to officials and employees of this State while deployed by the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. Nothing in this Order is intended to or will prevent the application of any other immunity or liability exemption otherwise available to such volunteers as provided for by any applicable law.
APPROVED: September 6, 2005
