According to the latter, a local municipality may declare a state of emergency when a major disaster, real or imminent, requires immediate action which it considers unable to carry out within the framework of its usual operating rules (article 42) . Under article 47, the mayor, the deputy mayor, a municipal official may, without delay or formality, control access to its territory, grant any contracts deemed necessary to protect the life or security of its citizens, request the assistance of any citizen, requisition in its territory the means of aid and private accommodation on its territory, without fear of being prosecuted. Note also the power of the municipal council, under article 30.0.4, can adopt a regulation financially compensated the elected officials for their losses generated during the declaration of the state of emergency.[19]