Emergency Management Assistance Compact
The Nation’s All Hazards Mutual Aid System
EMAC helps states, territories, and the District of Columbia share personnel, equipment, and resources across state lines during disasters and emergencies through a proven interstate mutual aid system established in law.
Explore EMAC resources, training, and tools for emergency management professionals, partners, and communities nationwide.
Find your starting point
Find the Resources You Need.
Whether you are new to EMAC, preparing resources, deploying to a mission, managing reimbursement, or seeking training, start with the path that fits your role.
The EMAC process
Five Phases: One Proven System.
EMAC follows a structured process that helps states, territories, and the District of Columbia prepare for, request, provide, manage, and reimburse mutual aid during disasters and emergencies.
Phase 1
Pre-Event Preparation
Before an incident, EMAC Members and Resource Providers prepare to use the Compact. This includes establishing procedures, identifying resource needs and capabilities, conducting training and exercises, planning for reimbursement, and developing Mission Ready Packages.
Phase 2
Activation
When an emergency or disaster requires resources beyond those available in the affected state, the Requesting State activates EMAC by opening an event in the EMAC Operations System. The state identifies its resource needs, establishes coordination, and prepares to request assistance from other EMAC Members. A Governor’s declaration of emergency or disaster is required before the state can receive assistance under the Compact.
Phase 3
Request & Offer
The Requesting State submits a request for assistance. Assisting States review the request, coordinate with Resource Providers, and submit offers of assistance. Once an offer is accepted, the states execute a Resource Support Agreement (RSA) that establishes the agreed upon resources, mission details, and estimated costs.
Phase 4
Response
After the RSA is executed, resources mobilize, deploy, perform the mission, and demobilize. The Requesting State directs the mission, while the Assisting State maintains accountability and supports deployed resources throughout the process.
Phase 5
Reimbursement
After the mission, Resource Providers document actual costs and submit reimbursement packages to their Assisting State. The Assisting State reviews and consolidates those costs into an R-1 claim for the Requesting State. The Requesting State issues payment, and the parties coordinate until reimbursement and closeout are complete.
EMAC eLearning Center
Learn EMAC at your pace.
Build confidence before an emergency with free, self-paced online training for emergency management professionals, Resource Providers, deploying personnel, and mutual aid partners.
Free self-paced learning
Start with the course that fits your role.
Whether you are learning the foundations of EMAC, preparing to deploy, building Mission Ready Packages, managing reimbursement, or supporting EMAC operations, the eLearning Center provides practical training to help you get ready.
Explore the eLearning CentereLearning Center login required to access courses and track completion.
Why EMAC
Mutual aid built for the scale and complexity of emergencies.
EMAC connects resources from public safety, health and medical, fire, search and rescue, public works, National Guard, logistics, planning, finance, and many other disciplines. From specialized personnel to equipment and teams, assistance can be tailored to the needs of the mission.
Nationwide membership
55 EMAC Members. One mutual aid system.
All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands have enacted EMAC into law, establishing a nationwide framework for interstate mutual aid.
All hazards
Ready for the emergencies states face.
EMAC supports mutual aid for natural disasters, technological hazards, public health needs, civil emergencies, resource shortages, and other events that exceed available capacity.
All disciplines
If another state has it, you can request it.
EMAC Members can request personnel, equipment, teams, and services from any discipline. If a resource is available through another EMAC Member, it can be requested to meet the needs of the mission.
One system. All Hazards. All Disciplines. From a single specialized resource to a multi-state catastrophic response, EMAC connects states with the assistance they need.
Explore by discipline
Find Your Discipline
EMAC supports resources and services across every profession. Select a discipline to explore how those resources can prepare for, provide, and support assistance through EMAC.
Animal Emergency
Emergency Medical Services
Fire & Hazardous Materials
Human Services
Incident Management
Law Enforcement
Mass Care
Public Health & Medical
National Guard
Public Works
Search & Rescue
Telecommunicator Emergency Response
Transportation & Highway
Get started
Ready to Put EMAC to Work?
Whether you’re learning about EMAC, preparing resources, or supporting an upcoming mission, explore the guidance and tools available to help you take the next step.