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CDC Support for the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)
Title: CDC Support for the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)
Date: June 5, 2006
Author: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Institution: Department of Health and Human Services
Bibliographic Entry: “CDC Support for the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC).” Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2006.
Electronic Link: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/planning/emac/
Key Words: Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), emergency management agencies (EMAs), The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs), National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), local and state governments, public health
Summary of Key Points, Issues, Conclusions:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website describes its support for the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). EMAC is an interstate mutual aid agreement that provides a mechanism for sharing resources and assets among states during emergencies and disasters. EMAC is used by states for National Guard and emergency management assistance, and it has been used to provide public health assistance during critical hurricane seasons.
EMAC’s objectives in public health emergency response include:
Increased collaboration among states during emergency planning, preparedness and response;
Better awareness and understanding of state and local needs and interests; Increased access to personnel, equipment and resources;
Consideration of legal issues related to worker compensation, liability, credentialing and reimbursement.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) has initiated the EMAC Environmental Health Assistance Project. In support, NCEH established a working group composed of federal, state and local agencies and other organizations in order to explore how public health and environmental health departments can utilize EMAC during emergencies and disasters. The website states that CDC through NCEH facilitates and supports efforts to provide education, awareness and training about EMAC to local, state and federal public health and environmental health professionals.
Name of Researcher: Tara Nonus
Institution: Integrative Center for Homeland Security, Texas A&M University
Date: June 21, 2006