Current through Pa Acts 2024-53, 2024-56 through 2024-95
Section 2003 - Powers of state, local and district councils of civil defense; rules and regulations(a) The State Council of Civil Defense shall during the continuance of the existing state of war between the United States and any foreign country have the power and its duty shall be to take such precautionary measures as may be necessary for the safety, defense and protection of the civilian population of the Commonwealth and property within the Commonwealth with respect to air raids. In furtherance of this power and duty the State Council of Civil Defense shall have power to adopt, promulgate and enforce rules, regulations and orders for this purpose. The State Council of Civil Defense shall cause such rules, regulations and orders to be published and disseminated in the Commonwealth in such manner and to such extent as it shall deem necessary and advisable. Such rules, regulations and orders adopted by the State Council of Civil Defense shall have the same force as if they formed a part of this act. Subject to the provisions of this act, and without limiting the general power conferred above, the State Council of Civil Defense shall have the power and its duty shall be to make rules, regulations and orders regarding: (1) The organization, recruiting, training, maintenance and operation of aircraft warning services, observation and listening posts, information and control centers, including the location thereof, and such other services and facilities as may be necessary for the prompt reception and transmission of air raid warnings and drills;(2) The formulation and execution of plans for the carrying out of practice blackouts, air raid drills and warnings and of all precautionary measures under actual conditions of hostile air raids or enemy attack;(3) The organization, recruiting, training, conduct and duties and powers of volunteer agencies;(4) The effective screening or extinguishment of all lights and lighting devices and appliances;(5) The conduct of civilians and the movement and cessation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic during attack or drill;(6) The evacuation of civilian populations from dangerous or damaged areas;(7) The mobilization and coordination of municipal and volunteer agencies and the use of the personnel and equipment of such agencies wherever needed in the Commonwealth.(b) Local and district Councils of Civil Defense shall have the power to adopt, promulgate and enforce rules, regulations and orders not inconsistent with rules, regulations and orders adopted by the State Council of Civil Defense with respect to the foregoing matters: Provided, however, That no rule, regulation or other order of any local or district Council of Civil Defense shall become effective unless and until it shall have received the prior approval of the State Council of Civil Defense. Each local and district Council of Civil Defense shall have available for inspection at its offices all rules, regulations and orders adopted by the State Council of Civil Defense and by such local or district Council of Civil Defense.1942, Ex.Sess., April 13, P.L. 37, § 3. Amended 1951, March 19, P.L. 37, No. 5, § 2.