166A-19.10. Powers of the Governor.

(a) State Emergency Management Program. - The State Emergency Management Program includes all aspects of preparations for, response to, recovery from, and mitigation against war or peacetime emergencies.

(b) Powers of the Governor. - The Governor is authorized and empowered to do the following:

(1) To exercise general direction and control of the State Emergency Management Program and to be responsible for carrying out the provisions of this Article, other than those provisions that confer powers and duties exclusively on local governments.

(2) To make, amend, or rescind the necessary orders, rules, and regulations within the limits of the authority conferred upon the Governor herein, with due consideration of the policies of the federal government.

(3) To delegate any authority vested in the Governor under this Article and to provide for the subdelegation of any such authority.

(4) To cooperate and coordinate with the President and the heads of the departments and agencies of the federal government, and with other appropriate federal officers and agencies, and with the officers and agencies of other states and local units of government in matters pertaining to the emergency management of the State and nation.

(5) To enter into agreements with the American National Red Cross, Salvation Army, Mennonite Disaster Service, and other disaster relief organizations.

(6) To make, amend, or rescind mutual aid agreements in accordance with G.S. 166A-19.72.

(7) To utilize the services, equipment, supplies, and facilities of existing departments, offices, and agencies of the State and of the political subdivisions thereof. The officers and personnel of all such departments, offices, and agencies are required to cooperate with and extend such services and facilities to the Governor upon request. This authority shall extend to a state of emergency declared pursuant to G.S. 166A-19.20, to the imminent threat of an emergency that will likely require an emergency to be declared pursuant to G.S. 166A-19.20, or to emergency management planning and training purposes.

(8) To agree, when required to obtain federal assistance in debris removal, that the State will indemnify the federal government against any claim arising from the removal of the debris.

(9) To sell, lend, lease, give, transfer, or deliver materials or perform services for emergency purposes on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by any existing law, and to account to the State Treasurer for any funds received for such property.

(10) In an emergency, or when requested by the governing body of a political subdivision in the State, to assume operational control over all or any part of the emergency management functions within this State.