(a) The department shall authorize the creation of local organizations for emergency management in the political subdivisions of this state, and authorize cooperation with the federal government and the governments of other states.
(b) The commissioner, subject to the direction and control of the governor, is the executive head of the department and is responsible to the governor for carrying out the program for the department for this state. The commissioner shall coordinate the activities of all organizations for the department within this state and shall maintain liaison with and cooperate with emergency management agencies and organizations of other states and of the federal government. The department of the military is a resource for this state as with all other departments and agencies; further, the commissioner shall make recommendations to the governor for the use of the national guard and other state resources as disaster conditions mandate, including, but not limited to, the assistance of local and private agencies. The commissioner shall coordinate with the governor's office on the activation or the potential activation of any mutual aid agreement or compact.
(c) The commissioner may employ such area directors and professional, technical, clerical, and other personnel, and the commissioner shall fix their compensation and may make expenditures from available funds appropriated for the department or from funds made available to the commissioner for purposes of emergency management, as may be necessary to carry out this chapter. The commissioner must be provided with necessary and appropriate office space, furniture, supplies, printing, and equipment, including, but not limited to, radio, radiological, and any and all other proper equipment necessary to carry out the emergency management program for this state. The necessary mileage, office expenses, salaries of personnel, postage, telephone, and expressage must be chargeable to any funds available for emergency management.