V.I. Code tit. 23, § 1032 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 23 - Internal Security and Public Order|Chapter 10 - Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Act|Subchapter II - Homeland Security|§ 1032. Responsibilities and duties of the Director

 (a) The Director shall appoint, with the approval of the Governor, a Homeland Security Advisor. The Homeland Security Advisor may also serve as the SAA at the discretion of the Director. (b) The Director shall be a member of the Homeland Security Council and a member of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. (c) The Director has the authority and duty, or may designate to the Advisor for Homeland Security, to: (1) Develop, in coordination with the VITEMHS Council and required participating or stakeholder, first-responder agencies, a comprehensive plan and program for homeland security, not inconsistent with federal law, including a plan for the security of critical infrastructure licensed or regulated by agencies of the federal government. The plans and programs must be integrated and coordinated with federal and territorial plans. The completed plan and strategy must be forwarded to the EMC within 30 days after approval by the Department of Homeland Security's Office for Domestic Preparedness; (2) Assist in the utilization of the services and facilities of departments, offices and agencies of the Government for homeland security issues; (3) Assist local law enforcement agencies, and departments as may be reasonable and necessary for the purpose of securing compliance with this chapter and with the orders, rules, and regulations made under this chapter; (4) Receive intelligence information from federal authorities relating to homeland security and ensure that, to the extent allowed by law, all appropriate and necessary intelligence and law enforcement information regarding homeland security is disseminated to and exchanged among appropriate executive departments responsible for homeland security, and where appropriate, promote the exchange of such information with other U.S. jurisdictions and private entities; (5) Promote, schedule, conduct and coordinate simulated exercises designed in coordination with the VITEMHS Council. The simulated exercises must be designed to prepare the appropriate first-responder agencies and the appropriate supporting government agencies for action to be taken in the event of a terrorist threat or attack; (6) Assist with government efforts to achieve public health preparedness before and during terrorist events; (7) Engage in the exchange of information with the federal government and Territorial law enforcement agencies relating to immigration and efforts to improve the security of the borders, Territorial waters, and ports of the United States; (8) Coordinate with the efforts of first-responder agencies, including VITEMA, to protect the people of the Virgin Islands and the Territory's critical infrastructure from terrorist attack, including, energy, water production, transmission and distribution systems, telecommunications, public and privately-owned information systems, special public and private events, transportation hubs and networks, livestock, farms, water, and food supplies, and research institutions. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Director may not impose security requirements on any private sector facility which are inconsistent with requirements applicable to private sector facilities under federal law or regulations; (9) Ensure that the local governmental agencies and authorities coordinate and cooperate with federal agencies and the Department of Homeland Security and its regional offices, and private-sector security forces responsible for the protection of critical infrastructure consistent with federal laws and regulations applicable to private-sector security forces related to homeland security issues; (10) Receive gifts, including, services, equipment, supplies, materials, and funds, apply for and accept grants, contributions and any other forms of assistance from the United States Government, the Government of the Virgin Islands or other public entities, or from any other source, public or private, for the purposes of homeland security, and enter into and carry out agreements in connection therewith and include in any agreement for financial assistance with the United States Government such conditions imposed pursuant to federal laws as it may consider reasonable and appropriate and which are not inconsistent with the purposes of this chapter; and to expend the proceeds of any such grants and financial assistance for the purposes of this chapter; and (11) Promulgate necessary rules and regulations to implement and administer the program established in this chapter.