"When my administration sponsored the Emergency Management Assistance Compact bill earlier this year, it was so that California could join its fellow states in an agreement that facilitates mutual aid in times of disaster. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, I renewed my call for swift passage of this legislation and today I am pleased to sign it into law. This mutual aid compact will allow California to receive help from other states more quickly during a disaster," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "EMAC will also allow us to send aid to Gulf Coast states with greater efficiency as they recover from Hurricane Katrina."
EMAC is the primary legal tool that states use to immediately send and receive emergency personnel and equipment during a major disaster. Prior to adopting EMAC, the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES) negotiated governor-to-governor agreements with other states, often lengthening response time.
Also signed by Governor Schwarzenegger was SB 546 by Senator Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga), legislation that authorizes OES to promote collaboration between the private and public sectors to better prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. This legislation allows the state to enter into emergency management agreements with private sector organizations with the goal of reducing the impact of future disasters and speeding recovery efforts.
