The title of the article is a misnomer because EMAC is between states, not cities. The mayors may be willing to help one another, but the official channel goes through the states. I like the fact that the article explains the development of the agreement and how it has changed through the years. I was instrumental in working as the president of the Washington State Emergency Management Association in getting Washington state to adopt the compact. It took two years, and help from then state Sen. Jim Kastama, who sponsored the legislation and finally the Nisqually Earthquake of 2001 that motivated the passage of the legislation. Fortunately, the earthquake happened when the legislature was in session, otherwise...it might not have passed if we had to wait 12 months to introduce it again.
I'll point out one other item from the article. Kate Hale is mentioned pleading for help from FEMA in the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. People "in the know" told me years ago that they (Florida) had not asked for specific assistance from FEMA — which was standing by waiting for requests.
This lesson was learned by FEMA and developed to a fine art by Craig Fugate who was not waiting for a state to request assistance, but pushed federal staff and supplies forward so they could be immediately available, when a state asked for assistance. He did this for Superstorm Sandy. I like to say that there was a FEMA person in every state and local EOC, pouring coffee for the responders, and getting good situational intelligence so that FEMA could respond quickly when asked.
