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# National Incident Management System: Mutual Aid

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NIMS CAN HELPyour department enter into effective mutual aid agreements that enhance and ensure you can sustain operations.

##### In this section

                - Command and Coordination
                - Credentialing
                - Implementation
                - Managing Resources
                - Mutual Aid
                - National Preparedness System
                - National Qualification System
                - OneResponder
                - Resource Management

Most jurisdictions or organizations do not have resource levels to handle extreme events on their own. A mutual aid agreement is a tool you can use to enhance your resources during a high-demand incident. The National Incident Management System guideline for mutual aid helps with mutual aid planning and shows how to create legal agreements that include common practices and processes.

## What a mutual aid agreement does

Mutual aid agreements establish the terms under which one party provides resources — personnel, teams, facilities, equipment and supplies — to another party. They can support all mission areas; they can be established before, during or after incidents; and they can be between all levels of government, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector.

## Mutual aid planning

Your community risk assessment will identify potential shortfalls and capability gaps that a mutual aid agreement can help address. Before your organization decides to enter into a mutual aid agreement, be sure to:
          - Identify and type resources.
          - Inventory your resources.
          - Qualify, certify and credential personnel.
          - Plan for resources.

## What to include in an agreement

Your mutual aid agreement should include:
          - Liability.
          - Compensation.
          - Reimbursement.
          - Credentialing and qualifications.
          - Licensure and certification.
          - Mobilization.
          - Operational support.

For more information about mutual aid and the National Mutual Aid System, visit FEMA.gov.

Page last reviewed: Sept. 15, 2022

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