Opinion ID: 2631211
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Failure to Terminate the Emergency Declaration

Text: Griffin contends that because the City did not declare when the emergency terminated, the provisions of the Act were not followed. Idaho Code section 46-1011(1) states that the emergency shall not be continued or renewed for a period in excess of seven (7) days and that any order or proclamation continuing or terminating a local disaster emergency shall be publicized and recorded. The district court found that a local state of emergency would last the seven day limit imposed by the Idaho Code, unless an authorized official or the council amended or repealed the Resolution. The Act does not specify that the state of emergency must be terminated or that an end date must be declared. The fire was declared fully extinguished on March 5, 1994, and the specific provisions in the Resolution include language indicating that the City was not only worried about the spread of fire, but also the danger of smoke inhalation, water damage, and danger to pedestrians and vehicular traffic as a result of the damaged buildings. It was appropriate for the emergency to be in effect for the seven day period. There was no specific requirement for the City to declare the termination of the emergency.