Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC): An Overview (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
July 21, 2008 |
| Report Number |
RL34585 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Bruce R. Lindsay, Government and Finance Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is an agreement among member
states
to provide assistance after disasters overwhelm a state's capacity to manage consequences. The
compact, initiated by the states and coordinated by the National Emergency Management
Association, provides a structure for requesting emergency assistance from party states. In 1996
Congress approved EMAC as an interstate compact ( P.L. 104-321 ). EMAC also resolves some, but
not all, potential legal and administrative obstacles that may hinder such assistance at the state level.
EMAC also enhances state preparedness for terrorist attacks by ensuring the availability of resources
for fast response and facilitating multi-state cooperation in training activities and preparedness
exercises.
In June of 2008, a bill to reform mutual aid agreements for the National Capital Region ( P.L.
110-250 ) was enacted to expand the types of organizations and agencies in the region that are
authorized to enter into agreements and ease the requirements for agents and volunteers to respond
to an incident. Legislation in the 110th Congress ( S. 1452 ) would require EMAC to
ensure that licensed mental health professionals with expertise in treating vulnerable populations are
included in the leadership of the National Disaster Medical System and are available for deployment
with Disaster Medical Assistance Teams.
This report will be updated as events warrant. This report is an update based upon a previous
report written by Keith Bea, Specialist in American National Government.
