§ 31-9-6 — Powers and Duties of Governor with Respect to Emergency Management

In performing his or her duties under this article, the Governor is authorized and empowered:
(1) To make, amend, and rescind the necessary orders, rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this article within the limits of the authority conferred upon him or her in this article, with due consideration of the plans of the federal government.
(2) To prepare a comprehensive plan and program for the emergency management of this state, such plan and program to be integrated and coordinated with the emergency management plans of the federal government and of other states to the fullest possible extent, and to coordinate the preparation of plans and programs for emergency management by the political subdivisions of this state, such plans to be integrated into and coordinated with the emergency management plans and programs of this state to the fullest possible extent.
(3) In accordance with such plan and program for the emergency management of this state, to ascertain the requirements of the state, or the political subdivisions thereof, for food or clothing or other necessities of life in the event of disaster or emergency and to plan for and procure supplies, medicines, materials, and equipment for the purposes set forth in this article; to make surveys of the industries, resources and facilities within the state as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this article; to institute training programs and public information programs; and to take all other preparatory steps, including the partial or full mobilization of emergency management organizations in advance of actual disaster, to insure the furnishing of adequately trained and equipped forces of emergency management personnel in time of need.
(4) To make, amend, and rescind the necessary orders, rules, and regulations looking to the direction or control of practice blackouts, air raid drills, mobilization of emergency management forces, and other tests and exercises, warnings, and signals for drills or attacks, the mechanical devices to be used in connection therewith, the effective screening or extinguishing of all lights and lighting devices and appliances, the conduct of civilians and the movement or cessation of movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic, public meetings or gatherings, the evacuation and reception of civilian population, and shutting off water mains, gas mains, electric power connections, and the suspension of all other public utilities, during, prior and subsequent to drills or attacks.
(5) To create and establish mobile support units and to provide for their compensation.
(6) To cooperate with the President and the heads of the Armed Forces, with the Emergency Management Agency of the United States and with the officers and agencies of other states in matters pertaining to the emergency management of the state and nation and the incidents thereof.
(7) With due consideration to the recommendation of the local authorities, to appoint full-time state and regional area directors.
(8) To utilize the services and facilities of existing officers and agencies of the state and the political subdivisions thereof.
(9) On behalf of this state, to enter into reciprocal aid agreements or compacts with other states and the federal government, including federally recognized Indian tribes. Such mutual aid agreements shall be limited to the furnishing or exchange of food, clothing, medicine, and other supplies; engineering services; emergency housing; police services; national or state guards while under the control of the state; health, medical and related services; fire fighting, rescue, transportation, and construction services and equipment; personnel necessary to provide or conduct these services; such other supplies, equipment, facilities, personnel, and services as may be needed; and the reimbursement of costs and expenses for equipment, supplies, personnel, and similar items for mobile support units, fire fighting and police units, and health units. Such agreements shall be on such terms and conditions as are deemed necessary.
(10) To sponsor and develop mutual aid plans and agreements between the political subdivisions of the state, similar to the mutual aid agreements with other states referred to in subdivision (1) of this section.
(11) To delegate any administrative authority vested in him or her under this article, and to provide for the subdelegation of any such authority.
(12) To take such action and give such directions to state and local law-enforcement officers and agencies as may be reasonable and necessary for the purpose of securing compliance with the provisions of this article and with the orders, rules, and regulations made pursuant thereto.

Legislative History

(Acts 1955, No. 47, p. 267, §6; Act 2011-546, p. 1004, §1.)