The emergency management assistance compact, referred to in this chapter as the “compact,” is made and entered into by and between the participating member states that enact this compact, referred to in this chapter as “party states.” For the purposes of this agreement, the term “states” means the several states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and all U.S. territorial possessions. [PL 1997, c. 780, §2 (NEW).]

The purpose of this compact is to provide for mutual assistance between the states entering into this compact in managing any emergency or disaster that is duly declared by the governor of the affected state or states, whether arising from natural disaster, technological hazard, man-made disaster, civil emergency aspects of resources shortages, community disorders, insurgency or enemy attack. [PL 1997, c. 780, §2 (NEW).]

This compact also provides for mutual cooperation in emergency related exercises, testing or other training activities using equipment and personnel simulating performance of any aspect of the giving and receiving of aid by party states or subdivisions of party states during emergencies, with such actions occurring outside actual declared emergency periods. Mutual assistance in this compact may include the use of the states’ National Guard forces, either in accordance with the National Guard Mutual Assistance Compact or by mutual agreement between states. [PL 1997, c. 780, §2 (NEW).]