A local emergency is defined, by the Stafford Act (1974), as the duly proclaimed/declared disaster (linked below). A situation becomes a disaster when the conditions are such that the local resources are no longer sufficient to manage the situation. These situations are characterized as a threat to life, limb, eye-sight, environment, or economy.

In the event that a Jurisdiction Having Authority (JHA: town, city, tribe) faces an increasing emergency, they may reach out to regional or neighboring jurisdictions for assistance. If local and regional resources are insufficient to deal with the issue, the jurisdiction will contact the state for resource allocation and personnel support.

Because of its unique role as part of the executive branch, the Governor’s office, commissioner of public safety, or the Governor’s authorized representative may direct UDOT to support local jurisdiction with assistance. UDOT prioritizes private company success, and as such will not perform tasks that a private company is able to fulfill.However, there are cases where the local authorities and companies may not have the necessary resources to perform the actions needed to adequately address the emergency event. Once an order has been issued, Maintenance personnel will receive direction from the region director (or their designee) on what actions are needed.

State of emergency is defined by Utah Code 53-2a-206 (linked below), as follows:

“A state of emergency may be declared by executive order of the governor if the governor determines a disaster has occurred or the occurrence or threat of a disaster is imminent in any area of the state in which state government assistance is required to supplement the response and recovery efforts of the affected political subdivision or political subdivisions.”

A “State of Emergency” as declared by the Governor provides the allowance for UDOT Maintenance forces to be called into action to help local or state agencies in response to the emergency (UDOT forces are not allowed by law to work on non-state owned facilities, except in the case of an emergency event as declared by the governor). In most cases, maintenance crews will be asked to provide resources (such as labor, equipment, materials, expertise, oversight, relief assistance, traffic control, inspection services, etc.)

All emergency and major disaster declarations are made solely at the discretion of the President of the United States. As stated in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster and Relief and Emergency Act, 42 U.S.C 5121-5207 (linked below): “All requests for a declaration by the President that a major disaster exists shall be made by the Governor of the affected State." 

The following definitions are provided by the Robert T. Stafford Act:

EMERGENCY: “Emergency’’ means any occasion or instance for which, in the determination of the President, Federal assistance is needed to supplement State and local efforts and capabilities to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in any part of the United States.

MAJOR DISASTER: ‘‘Major disaster’’ means any natural catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado, storm, high water, winddriven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm, or drought), or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion, in any part of the United States, which in the determination of the President causes damage of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance under this Act to supplement the efforts and available resources of States, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused thereby. 

In the event that the “President of the United States” declares an emergency, UDOT Maintenance forces may be called upon to serve in a variety of roles and be asked to travel to different locations to provide assistance. Much like when the Governor declares an emergency, UDOT Maintenance forces may be called upon to provide whatever services are needed to help address the emergency event.

Stafford Act (1974) Link 

Utah Code 53-2a-206 Link 

Robert T. Stafford Disaster and Relief and Emergency Act Link