When the national guard of the state shall have been called, ordered, or drafted into the service of the United States for war or an emergency, the governor shall (and at any time, if he or she deems it necessary for the public safety, when not in conflict with the provisions of the laws of the United States, he or she may) call and organize the unorganized militia, or any part thereof, for active duty and may organize such reserve units thereof as may be necessary or the situation may require for the purpose of training and, if and when he or she may deem it necessary, the governor may order these reserve units, or any part thereof, into service.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-5-5