Sec. 11. (a) The governor has general direction and control of the agency and is responsible for carrying out this chapter. In the event of disaster or emergency beyond local control, the governor may assume direct operational control over all or any part of the emergency management functions within Indiana.

     (b) In performing the governor’s duties under this chapter, the governor may, subject to sections 12.5 and 12.7 of this chapter, do the following:

(1) Make, amend, and rescind the necessary orders, rules, and regulations to carry out this chapter with due consideration of the plans of the federal government.

(2) Cooperate with the President of the United States and the heads of the armed forces, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the officers and agencies of other states in matters pertaining to emergency management and disaster preparedness, response, and recovery of the state and nation. In cooperating under this subdivision, the governor may take any measures that the governor considers proper to carry into effect any request of the President of the United States and the appropriate federal officers and agencies for any emergency management action, including the direction or control of disaster preparations, including the following:

(A) Mobilizing emergency management forces and other tests and exercises.

(B) Providing warnings and signals for drills, actual emergencies, or disasters.

(C) Shutting off water mains, gas mains, and electric power connections and suspending any other utility service.

(D) Conducting civilians and the movement and cessation of movement of pedestrians and vehicular traffic during, before, and after drills, actual emergencies, or other disasters.

(E) Holding public meetings or gatherings.

(F) Evacuating and receiving the civilian population.

(3) Take any action and give any direction to state and local law enforcement officers and agencies as may be reasonable and necessary for securing compliance with this chapter and with any orders, rules, and regulations made under this chapter.

(4) Employ any measure and give any direction to the Indiana department of health or local boards of health as is reasonably necessary for securing compliance with this chapter or with the findings or recommendations of the Indiana department of health or local boards of health because of conditions arising from actual or threatened:

(A) national security emergencies; or

(B) manmade or natural disasters or emergencies.

(5) Use the services and facilities of existing officers, agencies of the state, and of political subdivisions. All officers and agencies of the state and of political subdivisions shall cooperate with and extend services and facilities to the governor as the governor may request.

(6) Establish agencies and offices and appoint executive, technical, clerical, and other personnel necessary to carry out this chapter, including the appointment of full-time state and area directors.

[Pre-2003 Recodification Citation: 10-4-1-6.]

As added by P.L.2-2003, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.99-2021, SEC.1; P.L.56-2023, SEC.69.