The Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)is an interstate agreement that streamlines the assistance one governor can lend another after a natural disaster or terrorist attack by providing a framework for flexible response.  EMAC was first introduced to the states in 1993 and the program is administered by the National Emergency Managers Association (NEMA).  EMAC is an arrangement of the states, by the states and for the states.  EMAC addresses all the issues associated with requesting assistance, reimbursement of services, workman's compensation, insurance and liability in advance of a disaster.
 
EMAC legislation was introduced in both the Michigan House and Senate (HB-5189 & SB-715).  The EMAC bills were assigned PA-247 and PA-248 of 2001 and were signed into law on Tuesday, January 9, 2001, and given immediate effect.  Michigan became the 43rd state to join EMAC.  Members now include all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 3 US Territories.  Michigan is located in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region V and the state of Minnesota has been designated as the region's lead state for EMAC.
 
Staff with the Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (EMHSD) began working with NEMA in February 2002, to prepare Michigan to actively participate in the compact.  Michigan is in the process of identifying state resources, assets and establishing an implementation plan.

Updated 3-6-08