IAFC NEWS
ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Contact: IAFC
Programs Department
International Association of Fire
Chiefs
703/273-0911
www.iafc.org
Clarifying the IAFC's Role in Mutual Aid Initiatives
Fairfax, VA, March 22, 2006...The IAFC is currently developing two projects that will help the fire service's ability to support the National Response Plan and implement concepts presented in the National Incident Management System. The first project is the National Fire Service Mutual Aid System (IMAS), which is addressing intrastate mutual aid (within states). The second is focusing on interstate mutual aid (between states), and is known by the name of the IAFC task force that is formulating recommendations on the subject: the Mutual Aid System Task Force (MASTF).
In the past week, misunderstanding about the two programs has created confusion that has been followed by discussion and misinformation. The IAFC is issuing this member alert to clarify the purposes of these two important mutual aid initiatives and to allay fears that we are attempting to reinvent any wheels.
"Please take the time to read through this
document and to get your questions answered," said IAFC President Chief
"This will be a model for law enforcement, public works, EMS or anyone else with an operational requirement to move resources and we will freely share," said Killen.
Creation of Intrastate Mutual Aid System (IMAS)
The first project, which was funded last July
by the
Assistance is being provided to states through the state fire chiefs associations to develop formal, comprehensive mutual aid plans for efficiently mobilizing and deploying fire service assets to incidents within their states. The plans that are produced will provide a mutual aid model that can be adopted and adapted to suit the needs of other emergency services and disciplines. Ten states have agreed to participate in the first year of this project, and it is hoped that another 10 will participate in the second year.
Improving the Interstate Mutual Aid System (MASTF)
In conjunction with IMAS, the Fire Service Mutual Aid System Task Force (MASTF) is developing a plan for an interstate mutual aid system. The IMAS project will strengthen the foundation for effective interstate mutual aid by assuring the existence of a system of states experienced in providing mutual aid within their own states.
The MASTF effort, which will help shape an improved interstate mutual aid system, began with the appointment last fall of the IAFC Mutual Aid System Task Force (MASTF). The goal of the MASTF is to bring a fire service perspective to recommendations to improve the sharing of resources across state lines.
The MASTF was charged by the IAFC Board of Directors with completing its task by fall of 2006. Among other things, the task force has reviewed lessons learned from recent national disasters about how to most efficiently and effectively mobilize and deploy fire service resources to large scale incidents across state lines. Under direction from the MASTF, workgroups within each of the IAFC divisions and sections have been providing recommendations addressing the many complex issues involved in this concept.
Background
- EMAC, the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, is a congressionally ratified organization that provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid. Through EMAC, a disaster impacted state can request and receive assistance from other member states quickly and efficiently.
- Before the IAFC mutual aid projects even began, we saw the failure of emergency response systems at all levels in the biggest test ever with last year's hurricanes.
- Hurricane Katrina thoroughly illuminated problems in the interstate mutual aid system.
- "The IAFC's efforts are to construct mutual aid systems to support…EMAC requests more efficiently," said Chief Jay Reardon, MASTF member.
- "MASTF's work is intended to build a better component within EMAC – not to replace EMAC." (Reardon)
- Prior to 2004, NEMA was funded by DHS to create a "Model Intrastate Mutual Aid Legislation." Such enabling legislation is a necessary step in developing effective intrastate mutual aid systems.
- The IAFC recognized that many states across country had not taken the next step of creating detailed, operational fire service intrastate mutual aid plans. The organization decided to address that critical need with a proposal to assist states to develop fire service mutual aid plans. DHS funded that proposal, and the IMAS project began last fall.
Mutual Aid Q&A
Q: Why does our state need a mutual aid plan when we already have a mutual aid compact?
A: Even with the best of intentions, without detailed operational plans, execution of such agreements can exist at the whim of issues such as personal interpretations or local politics and can have disastrous effects – particularly at large scale, multi-jurisdictional incidents where self-dispatching of personnel, mismanagement of resources and general disorganization could lead to injuries or fatalities.
Many parts of the country have only informal, "handshake" agreements. Some communities have signed agreements, there is little beyond the signatures that separate them from informal agreements, since many do not contain detailed plans, protocols or training exercises to support their integration into an operational process.
Q: Aren't the IMAS plans reinventing what has already been done in state emergency plans?
A: With the completion of mutual aid plans in participating states, the fire service will bring a functional plan to their state emergency management system that will enhance the state's ability to manage and deploy the state's fire service resources during critical incidents. This does not replace any state mutual aid compact, it adds interdisciplinary depth.
Q: Is the IAFC trying to replace EMAC?
A: No. There is general agreement that EMAC is needed. The IAFC effort will build a stronger fire service interface with EMAC that will serve to enhance the response effectiveness of the system.
For more information go to: www.iafc.org/mutualaid