The General Assembly finds and declares that in the event of an emergency event, it is necessary to provide for emergency interim succession to governmental offices of this State, and its political subdivisions, if the incumbents of these offices or the deputies of these incumbents are unavailable to perform the duties and functions of these offices. The General Assembly further finds and declares that this emergency interim succession process is intended to do all of the following:
(1) Assure continuity of government through legally constituted leadership, authority, and responsibility in offices of the government of the State and its political subdivisions.
(2) Provide for the effective operation of governments during an emergency.
(3) Facilitate the early resumption of functions temporarily suspended.