Revised Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement Now Online

In 2009, then Governor John Baldacci signed into law [PL 2009 c. 135](http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC175.asp ), An Act Authorizing Statewide Mutual Aid Among First Responder Agencies. This law allowed "local first responder agencies to provide emergency services such as fire, law enforcement, emergency management or medical services as necessary upon another town's request without any additional agreement or contract."

Five years later, several changes have been made to the original agreement and supporting statutes:

• Under [PL 2009 c. 135](http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC175.asp ), all towns are part of the agreement but may adopt a local ordinance to opt out; no community to date has opted out. * Anyone directed by MEMA or local EMA agencies to work in an emergency are considered to be state employees (see [PL 2009 c. 135](http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/chapters/PUBLIC175.asp )). In the past, only MEMA could authorize people to work as state employees during an emergency. * Under the International Emergency Mutual Assistance Compact (IEMAC), an agreement with the eastern Canadian Provinces, agencies can also authorize people to work in Canada. * The IEMAC and the National Forest Fire Protection Compact (NFFPC) have been added into the lists of agreements under which the Governor can request or offer assistance during an emergency. * Several changes have also been made to the NIMS/ICS training guidance to better prepare leaders during emergencies.

The updated Statewide Mutual Aid Agreement document can be downloaded in Adobe Acrobat format [here](http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/attach.php?id=64397&an=1 ).

If you have any questions, please contact Mark Hyland at MEMA.