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EMAC: A History and Analysis of the Evolution of National Mutual Aid Policy and Operations

EMAC ReportNEMA is very proud to release the first-ever report tracing the history of EMAC and its impact on national mutual aid policy and operations. A state driven solution, EMAC stands as a tested and proven success story and an example of what determined individuals can accomplish when working together to make a difference for the nation.

Summary

EMAC’s implementation and capabilities have matured through member-driven action and responsiveness to lessons learned. In the past decade, NEMA has used Federal Emergency Management Agency funding to develop new EMAC capability, and standardize and institutionalize processes, help to transform what began as a concept—namely, neighbors helping neighbors in times of crises—into an effective system for interstate mutual aid.

EMAC allows the nation to leverage the billions of dollars spent to increase capability across the United States, providing the key mechanism to build capability as a nation, as opposed to individual jurisdictions. In the process, EMAC has influenced other mutual aid efforts, including intrastate and cross-border mutual aid.

The History of EMAC takes you through the most significant events that influenced the creation and evolution of EMAC and how it was used to meet some of the nation’s largest response challenges.

  • The Beginning (1989-1995)
  • Making the Case for EMAC Nationwide (1995-2003)
  • EMAC Pushed to New Limits (2004-2006)
  • Building Capability (2003-Present)

Download the report 

Acknowledgements

NEMA would like to thank CNA for their assistance in the development of the report. Their ability to objectively examine and analyze over twenty years of facts, figures and events over the course of a few months was outstanding. We would also like to thank the individuals who were interviewed for additional background and perspective on EMAC’s history: Albert Ashwood, Hon. George Foresman, Hon. Craig Fugate, Doug Hoell, Jack Jowett, Frank Koutnik, Tim Lowenberg, Jeff Phillips, Leon Shaifer, Mike Sherberger, and Greg Wilz. NEMA also gratefully acknowledges funding support from FEMA.

NEMA Issues National Report on States’ Abilities to Deploy Private Sector and Volunteer Resources through EMAC

As states consider ways to increase their disaster response/recovery resource inventories, NEMA is releasing a new report on innovations and best practices in deploying private sector and volunteer resources through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).  In partnership with the Stephenson Disaster Management Institute (SDMI), NEMA conducted a survey on these issues and received responses from 43 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Detailed follow-up interviews were conducted with 16 states.  The report focuses on gaining insight into the experiences of states that have used the EMAC process to deploy private sector and volunteer resources to states with specific needs requested through EMAC.  These states provided a wealth of information regarding their experiences, capabilities and concerns in deploying private sector and volunteer resources.  This report provides specific examples of solutions that can be  replicated in other states interested in building these capabilities.

The following documents are being released as part of the NEMA study:

NEMA would like to thank the states and territories that participated in the survey effort and a special thanks to those that agreed to follow-up interviews.  NEMA also thanks SDMI for the great work they did with conducting the study and producing the report. 

State Response to Hurricane Sandy

In October 2012, the states again responded to a hurricane that impacted the northeast:  Hurricane Sandy.  Thirty-eight (38) of the 54 EMAC states sent resources and over 2,600 personnel to New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania in a response that lasted 5 months.  A team was also send to the National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) to coordinate the sate response through EMAC with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Emergency Support Functions (ESFs). 

NY NJ MD MA CT PA NRCC
1263 1204 129 4 5 4 2

 This 2 minute video graphically displays the state EMAC response to Hurricane Sandy.

E0431 Understanding the Emergency Management Assistance Compact Content

The goal is to introduce emergency management, response, and recovery personnel from all political jurisdictions to the EMAC process, and assist them in gaining familiarity and competency with the EMAC system. With this knowledge, when an event occurs that requires activation of the EMAC system, they will know how to best execute their role and use tools and sources of information which will help them maximize use of available resources.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:• Describe the requirements and provisions in the EMAC law.
• Describe the EMAC governance structure and Member State roles and responsibilities.
• Explain the process for requesting and offering assistance through the EMAC system.
• Identify the recommended actions during each phase of the EMAC Process.
• Describe EMAC Operational Management and how the operational elements work together.
• Summarize the process and procedures for reimbursing resource providers.

Dates:

  • October 24-27, 2016
  • May 8-11, 2017

 E0431 - Understanding the Emergency Management Assistance Compact - 2016-2017

Learn more about Mission Ready Packaging

Mission Ready Package ImageWhen disaster strikes, immediate access to essential resources is necessary if emergencies are to be managed effectively.

Mission Ready Packages—specific response and recovery capabilities that are organized, developed, trained, and exercised prior to an emergency or disaster—help make this happen.

This 37-minute Webinar recording provides more information on EMAC Mission Ready Packages.

  1. Who can deploy under EMAC?