Under what circumstance do local officials contact the state for assistance?

Local officials typically reach out to the state for assistance when a disaster exceeds local resources and capabilities. This is a critical point in the incident management process, as local jurisdictions are often the first to respond to emergencies. However, there are limits to what they can handle, particularly in the face of large-scale disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, or major floods that may overwhelm their available resources, personnel, and infrastructure.

The National Response Framework emphasizes a tiered response approach, which means local officials are encouraged to first use their own capabilities. When those capabilities are insufficient, the next step is to seek support from the state government, which has additional resources, expertise, and coordinated response mechanisms to provide the necessary aid and assistance. This collaboration ensures a more effective and organized response to emergencies and disasters, ultimately helping to protect the safety and wellbeing of affected communities more efficiently.