§14–104.

    (a)    The head of the Maryland Department of Emergency Management is the Secretary of Emergency Management, who shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

    (b)    The Secretary:

        (1)    serves without a fixed term and may be removed by the Governor;

        (2)    is entitled to the salary provided in the State budget; and

        (3)    shall devote full time to the duties assigned to the Secretary.

    (c)    (1)    The Secretary is responsible to the Governor for carrying out the State emergency management program.

        (2)    If the Governor has formally declared the threat or occurrence of an emergency, the Secretary shall coordinate the activities of all organizations for emergency management operations in the State.

        (3)    The Secretary, in collaboration with other public and private agencies in the State, shall develop or cause to be developed mutual aid agreements for reciprocal emergency aid and assistance in case of emergency of an extreme nature that affects two or more political subdivisions.

        (4)    The Secretary shall maintain liaison and cooperate with emergency management agencies and organizations of other states and the federal government.

    (d)    The Secretary may employ personnel in accordance with the State budget and subject to the conditions and limitations of the State Personnel and Pensions Article.

    (e)    The Secretary may make expenditures within the appropriations in the State budget or from other money made available to the Secretary for purposes of emergency management as necessary to carry out this subtitle.