(a) There is hereby created within the executive branch of the state government a department of emergency management, hereinafter called the "Emergency Management Agency," with a Director of Emergency Management, hereinafter called the "director," who shall be the head thereof. The director shall be appointed by the Governor. The director shall devote his or her entire time to the duties of the office. The director shall not hold another office under the government of the United States or any other state, or of this state, or any political subdivision thereof, during his or her incumbency in such office, and shall not hold any position of trust or profit, or engage in any occupation or business the conduct of which shall interfere or be inconsistent with the duties of Director of Emergency Management under the provisions of this article. The director shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.

(b) The director may employ, subject to the provisions of the Merit System Act, such technical, clerical, stenographic, and other personnel and may make such expenditures within the appropriation therefor, or from other funds made available to him or her for purposes of emergency management, as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this article; provided, that the state shall not pay the compensation, if any, of block wardens, fire guards, first aid specialists, auxiliary firemen, auxiliary policemen, and similar emergency management personnel, nor shall it pay the compensation of personnel employed by or for a local organization for emergency management.

(c) The director and other personnel of the Emergency Management Agency shall be provided with appropriate office space, furniture, equipment, supplies, stationery, and printing in the same manner as provided for personnel of other state agencies.

(d) The director, subject to the direction and control of the Governor, shall be the executive head of the Emergency Management Agency and shall be responsible to the Governor for carrying out the program for emergency management of this state. The director shall coordinate the activities of all organizations of emergency management within the state, and shall maintain liaison with and cooperate with major commanders of the armed forces within the state, the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency, the State Military Department, and with emergency management agencies and organizations of other states and of the federal government, and shall have such additional authority, duties, and responsibilities authorized by this article as may be prescribed by the Governor.

(e) The director shall also hold the position of Assistant Director of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response.