Sec. 14.39.02.30. Emergency Management Shelters

A. Definitions.

(1) “Emergency management shelter” means temporary operations that meet the base humanitarian needs of the whole community before, during, or after an emergency event.

(2) “Fully power” means the capability to provide electrical power to the fixtures, services, appliances, and/or outlets within a specified facility or portion of a facility.

(3) “Replacement of the electrical system” means a complete new electrical system is installed in an existing or new facility, including when major components of the pre-existing electrical system are either removed or abandoned in place.

(4) “Upgrade of the electrical system” means an existing electrical system of a facility or a major portion of a facility is improved through either:

(a) The replacement or upgrade of existing components; or

(b) Other improvements that alter the performance characteristics of the electrical system.

B. Each county board shall determine which public schools within the jurisdiction of the county board should be designated as emergency management shelters.

C. The county board’s determination is based on consistency with local emergency management plans and criteria and the availability of funding.

D. For schools that will be used as emergency management shelters based upon the LEA determination, local officials shall consult with the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to determine those areas of the facility that are necessary for public safety when the circumstances require the use of the facility as a public shelter during or after a federal, State, or local declared emergency.

E. The LEA shall ensure that the areas determined to be emergency management shelters are designed and constructed to be fully powered in the event of an emergency through installation of:

(1) A permanent, on-site emergency power source; or

(2) Other means to accept temporary emergency power source.