(a) A local disaster may be declared only by the principal executive officer of a political subdivision, or his or her interim emergency successor, as provided in Section 7 of the “Emergency Interim Executive Succession Act”. It shall not be continued or renewed for a period in excess of 7 days except by or with the consent of the governing board of the political subdivision. Any order or proclamation declaring, continuing, or terminating a local disaster shall be given prompt and general publicity and shall be filed promptly with the county clerk, township clerk, or the municipal clerk, as the case may be, in the area to which it applies.
     (b) The effect of a declaration of a local disaster is to activate the emergency operations plan of that political subdivision and to authorize the furnishing of aid and assistance thereunder.