When TEMA is not activated, the Director reports to the Tennessee Adjutant General as Commissioner of the Department of the Military.

When activated, however, the Director reports directly to the Governor, coordinating with the Adjutant General when the Military Department's assistance is required.

By statute, the Director is the State Coordinating Officer and Governor's Authorized Representative during a federally declared disaster.

The division handles the planning and implementation of exercises and simulations designed to prepare first responders both inside and outside of the agency for emergency situations.

This includes creating the program and other regular exercises and preparing the after-action report to identify shortcomings and successes and plan how to improve moving forward.

It also coordinates response plans for TVA sites at Watts Bar and Sequoyah and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

This branch's main function is to ensure a central network for providing assistance to and communications with local governments.

The Finance Section is responsible for monitoring grant programs, overseeing contracts and purchasing, and coordinating state and federal audits.