N.C. Gen. Stat. § 58-78-20

All funds for the operation of the Commission and its staff shall be appropriated to the Office of the State Fire Marshal in the Department. All such funds shall be held in a separate or special account on the books of the Department with a separate financial designation or code number to be assigned by the Department of Administration or its agent. Expenditures for staff salaries and operating expenses shall be made in the same manner as expenditures of any other Department funds. The Office of the State Fire Marshal may hire such additional personnel as may be necessary to handle the work of the Commission, within the limits of funds appropriated to it by the State and made available to it by the federal government.