What is the purpose of Emergency Management Assistance Compacts (EMAC)?

The purpose of Emergency Management Assistance Compacts (EMAC) is to facilitate interstate mutual aid and assistance. EMAC is a formal agreement between states to provide aid and resources during times of disaster and emergencies. When a state faces a disaster beyond its capability to manage, it can request assistance from other member states through EMAC. This process streamlines and formalizes the sharing of resources, personnel, and services, ensuring that help can quickly be mobilized across state lines when needed.

This mutual aid relationship strengthens the overall emergency response infrastructure, enabling states to collaborate effectively and enhance their collective preparedness and response capabilities during times of crisis. The focus on interstate cooperation is key, as it allows for rapid deployment of assistance where it is most needed, maximizing the benefits of shared resources and experiences in emergency management.

Other options, while relevant to emergency management, do not capture the primary focus of EMAC. The enhancement of private-sector responses and the development of individual community plans pertain to different aspects of emergency management, and while federal funding is essential, EMAC specifically deals with state-to-state collaboration in response efforts.