Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)

The devastation caused by Katrina has raised states' awareness not only of the urgency of disaster preparedness but also the importance of mutual aid. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is an organization that facilitates emergency assistance among states in times of disaster. EMAC was ratified by Congress in 1996, by Pub. Law 104-321 (PDF, 123K, 7p., from GPO). When Gov. Schwarzenegger signed legislation, reported Sept. 13, for California to join EMAC, that left Hawaii the only state not in the pact. However, according to a Honolulu Advertiser article (Sept. 13), Hawaii is likely to join EMAC during the next legislative session. EMAC is administered by the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA), the association of state emergency management directors. EMAC's website provides Model EMAC Legislation.