605—7.4(29C) Local emergency management coordinator.

1. 7.4(1)  Each commission shall appoint a local emergency management coordinator who serves at the pleasure of the commission. The commission shall delegate to the emergency management coordinator the authority to fulfill the commission’s and coordinator’s duties as provided in Iowa Code sections 29C.9 and 29C.10, as further described in subrule 7.3(4), and as otherwise assigned and authorized by the commission.

2. 7.4(2)  Political activity.

   1. a. A member of a commission shall not be appointed as the local emergency management coordinator.
   2. b. An individual serving in a full-time or part-time governmental position incompatible with the position of coordinator shall not be appointed as the emergency management coordinator.

   3. c. Any employee of an organization for emergency management shall not:

      1. (1) During working hours or when performing official duties or when using public equipment or at any time on public property, take part in any way in soliciting any contribution for any political party or any person seeking political office.
      2. (2) Seek or attempt to use any political endorsement in connection with any appointment to a position created under this rule.
      3. (3) Use any official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with an election or affecting the results of an election.

3. 7.4(3)  Local emergency management coordinator qualifications. Each person appointed after July 1, 1990, as a local emergency management coordinator shall meet the following requirements with regard to education, abilities, experience, knowledge and skills:

   1. a. Demonstrate a knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations pertaining to emergency management.
   2. b. Demonstrate an understanding of communications systems, frequencies, and equipment capabilities.
   3. c. Demonstrate a knowledge of basic accounting principles and practices.
   4. d. Express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
   5. e. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, public officials, and the general public.
   6. f. Prepare accurate reports.
   7. g. Write plans, direct the use of resources, and coordinate emergency operations under extraordinary circumstances.
   8. h. Exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.
   9. i. Coordinate with agencies at all levels of government.
   10. j. Have graduated from an accredited four-year college or university and have two years of responsible experience in emergency management, public or business administration, public relations, military preparedness or related work; or have an equivalent combination of experience and education, substituting 30 semester hours of graduate study for each year of the mandated work experience to a maximum of two years; or have an equivalent combination of experience and education, substituting one year of experience in the aforementioned areas for each year of college to a maximum of four years; or be an employee with current continuous experience in the state classified service that includes the equivalent of 18 months of full-time experience as an emergency management operations officer; or be an employee with current continuous experience in the state classified service that includes the equivalent of 36 months of full-time experience as a local emergency management assistant.

4. 7.4(4)  Local emergency management coordinator continuing education requirements. Each local emergency management coordinator shall meet the following educational development requirements. The director may extend the time frame for meeting these continuing education requirements upon request from the commission.

   1. a. Within two years of appointment as a local emergency management coordinator, the person must complete a set of study courses prescribed by the director and developed in consultation with the Iowa Emergency Management Association. The listing of courses will be maintained on the department’s website.
   2. b. Within two years of appointment as a local emergency management coordinator, the person must complete the professional development series of courses as prescribed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
   3. c. Upon completion of the requirements established in paragraphs 7.4(4)“a” and “b,” a person must complete a minimum of 24 hours of state-approved emergency management training every 12 months as determined and communicated by the department.
   4. d. The local emergency management coordinator must document completion of courses by submitting a copy of the certificate of completion, a letter indicating satisfactory completion, or other appropriate documentation.
   5. e. The department, in consultation with the Iowa Emergency Management Association, may substitute courses when deemed appropriate.
   6. f. An emergency management coordinator who has met the baseline requirements prior to October 1, 2006, will not be required to take any of the study courses prescribed by the director in accordance with paragraph 7.4(4)“a” to reestablish the person’s baseline.

[ARC 9271C, IAB 5/14/25, effective 6/18/25]