What is the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)?

The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) is indeed an agreement for interstate mutual aid and assistance. It provides a formal framework for states to share resources, personnel, and equipment during emergencies and disasters. Established in 1996, EMAC allows states to assist one another when they are overwhelmed by a disaster, ensuring that resources can be mobilized swiftly and effectively to meet the needs of the affected areas.

This mutual aid is critical, especially during large-scale emergencies where local and state resources may be insufficient. By allowing states to request assistance and receive help in a structured manner, EMAC facilitates a coordinated response that improves resilience and expedites recovery efforts across state lines. The compact not only emphasizes intergovernmental cooperation but also helps to streamline the administrative processes involved in deploying aid, making it pivotal in emergency management.

Additionally, the other choices do not accurately describe EMAC. It is not a federal program, although it does complement federal disaster response initiatives; it is not limited to local government initiatives; and it does not involve international agreements, as it strictly pertains to interstate cooperation within the United States.