HONOLULU (KHON2) -- As the island faces growing risks from natural disasters such as hurricanes, rising sea levels and wildfires, those behind Charter Amendment Question #2 said it's important that the Director of the Department of Emergency Management is qualified for the job. Check out what's going on around the nation on our National News page Charter Amendment Question #2: Shall the Revised City Charter be amended to establish the Department of EmergencyManagement as an independent agency of the City Executive Branch by assigning theDepartment of Emergency Management is a separate chapter in the City Charter similar to thechapters assigned to all other City departments to provide that all Department of EmergencyManagement positions, including its Director and Deputy Director, are subject to the civilservice laws; and to specify a minimum level of qualifications for the civil service position of theDirector of Emergency Management, with additional minimum qualifications to be determinedin accordance with civil service laws? What are Charter Amendments all about? Voters to decide on this fund "As we look at where we're going as a community in terms of the impacts, we're going to be facing: the larger storms the fires, we thought that it was important that such an important agency in the city, the Department of Emergency Management have some minimum qualifications in the charter," said Honolulu Councilmember Matt Weyer. If passed, the amendment would require the director to have at least five years of education and experience in emergency management, public safety or similar discipline, be able to attain federal security clearance, have knowledge of Federal, state and local civil defense, emergency management, and homeland security laws, ordinances, operations, and objectives, and be able to analyze situations, make sound decisions, and act decisively in emergencies. Councilmember Matt Weyer said this is not a swipe at any current or past directors of the department in Honolulu or any other county, but a guarantee of competent leadership at the helm of Honolulu's disaster preparedness. "As we move forward we can ensure that that safeguard is in the charter to keep our community safe," said Weyer. The charter amendment question also asks voters to assign the Department of Emergency Management a separate chapter in the city charter. Currently, it is a section under the Management Director, a holdover from the reorganization of when it was created back in 2007. A yes vote would create a separate chapter for the DEM, on par with other city departments. Find more Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai news here If the proposal passes, the changes would not impact the term of the incumbent DEM director who would be serving on January 1 of next year, when the amendment would take effect.