The purpose of the All Hazard Emergency Management Act [12-10-1 to 12-10-10 NMSA 1978] is to:

A. authorize the creation of local offices of emergency management in the political subdivisions of the state;

B. confer upon the governor and upon the governing bodies of the state all hazard emergency management powers;

C. provide an emergency operations plan for the protection of life and property adequate to cope with disasters resulting from acts of war or sabotage or from natural or man-made causes other than acts of war;

D. provide for coordination of all hazard emergency management functions of this state with the comparable functions of the federal government and other states and localities and of private agencies;

E. initiate programs to render aid in the emergency restoration of facilities, utilities and other installations essential to the safety and general welfare of the public; and

F. provide for assistance and care for persons displaced, left homeless or otherwise victims of disaster or war conditions.

History: 1953 Comp., § 9-13-16, enacted by Laws 1959, ch. 190, § 2; 1973, ch. 247, § 2; 1977, ch. 258, § 6; 1989, ch. 204, § 12; 2007, ch. 291, § 10.

The 2007 amendment, effective July 1, 2007, changed the title of the act to the All Hazard Emergency Management Act and provided that the purpose of the act is emergency management.

The 1989 amendment, effective July 1, 1989, substituted "emergency planning and coordination bureau of the department of public safety" for "civil emergency preparedness division of the office of military affairs" in Subsection A.

Division authority not dependent upon local school authorities. — Though close cooperation with school authorities is advisable and not to be discouraged whenever the protection of pupils may be served, the duties and responsibilities of the office of civil defense (now all hazard emergency management department) are in no way dependent on or limited by those of the schools. 1970 Op. Att'y Gen. No. 70-09.

Am. Jur. 2d, A.L.R. and C.J.S. references. — 53A Am. Jur. 2d Military, and Civil Defense § 447 et seq.

93 C.J.S. War and National Defense § 62.