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Order Code RS21227
Updated August 18, 2006
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
The Emergency Management Assistance
Compact (EMAC): An Overview
Keith Bea
Specialist in American National Government
Government and Finance Division
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. 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. Congress approved EMAC as an interstate
compact in 1996 (P.L. 104-321). Legislation pending before Congress (S. 3721, H.R.
5316, H.R. 5351) would authorize funds for the administration of EMAC. This report
will be updated as events warrant.
Overview. The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is an
interstate mutual aid compact that provides a legal structure by which states affected by
a catastrophe may request emergency assistance from other states.! Signatories to the
compact resolve potential legal and financial obstacles that states might otherwise
encounter as they provide assistance to the stricken state (or states). The compact sets out
the responsibilities of the signatory states, provides authority to officials responding from
other states (except the power of arrest) equal to that held by residents of the affected
state, assures reciprocity in recognizing professional licenses or permits for professional
skills, and provides liability protection (in certain areas) to responders from other states.
The compact requires that signatory states develop plans to evacuate civilian population
centers. Reimbursement and compensation provisions are also included in EMAC. The
1 For information on EMAC, see [http://test.emacweb.org/?9], visited Apr. 25, 2006. See also
National Emergency Management Association, Emergency Management Assistance Compact:
Guidebook and Operating Procedures, August 2000.
Congressional Research Service 4- The Library of Congress](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/crsmthabbed0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)