A joint resolution granting the consent of Congress to the International Emergency Management Assistance Memorandum of Understanding.
PL 110-171 (S.J.Res.13), enacted 12/26/2007

121 STAT. 2467 
PUBLIC LAW 110–171—DEC. 26, 2007 
Public Law 110–171 
110th Congress 
Joint Resolution 
Granting the consent of Congress to the International Emergency Management 
Assistance Memorandum of Understanding. 
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. CONGRESSIONAL CONSENT. 
Congress consents to the International Emergency Management 
Assistance Memorandum of Understanding entered into between 
the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, 
Rhode Island, and Connecticut and the Provinces of Quebec, New 
Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. 
The compact is substantially as follows: 
‘‘Article I—International Emergency Management Assistance 
Memorandum of Understanding Purpose and 
Authorities 
‘‘The International Emergency Management Assistance Memo-
randum of Understanding, hereinafter referred to as the ‘compact,’ 
is made and entered into by and among such of the jurisdictions 
as shall enact or adopt this compact, hereinafter referred to as 
‘party jurisdictions.’ For the purposes of this agreement, the term 
‘jurisdictions’ may include any or all of the States of Maine, New 
Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Con-
necticut and the Provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince 
Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and such other 
states and provinces as may hereafter become a party to this 
compact. 
‘‘The purpose of this compact is to provide for the possibility 
of mutual assistance among the jurisdictions entering into this 
compact in managing any emergency or disaster when the affected 
jurisdiction or jurisdictions ask for assistance, whether arising from 
natural disaster, technological hazard, manmade disaster or civil 
emergency aspects of resources shortages. 
‘‘This compact also provides for the process of planning mecha-
nisms among the agencies responsible and for mutual cooperation, 
including, if need be, emergency-related exercises, testing, or other 
training activities using equipment and personnel simulating 
performance of any aspect of the giving and receiving of aid by 
party jurisdictions or subdivisions of party jurisdictions during 
emergencies, with such actions occurring outside actual declared 
emergency periods. Mutual assistance in this compact may include 
the use of emergency forces by mutual agreement among party 
jurisdictions. 
State listing. 
Provinces. 
Dec. 26, 2007 
[S.J. Res. 13] 
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121 STAT. 2468 
PUBLIC LAW 110–171—DEC. 26, 2007 
‘‘Article II—General Implementation 
‘‘Each party jurisdiction entering into this compact recognizes 
that many emergencies may exceed the capabilities of a party 
jurisdiction and that intergovernmental cooperation is essential in 
such circumstances. Each jurisdiction further recognizes that there 
will be emergencies that may require immediate access and present 
procedures to apply outside resources to make a prompt and effec-
tive response to such an emergency because few, if any, individual 
jurisdictions have all the resources they need in all types of emer-
gencies or the capability of delivering resources to areas where 
emergencies exist. 
‘‘The prompt, full, and effective utilization of resources of the 
participating jurisdictions, including any resources on hand or avail-
able from any other source that are essential to the safety, care, 
and welfare of the people in the event of any emergency or disaster, 
shall be the underlying principle on which all articles of this com-
pact are understood. 
‘‘On behalf of the party jurisdictions participating in the com-
pact, the legally designated official who is assigned responsibility 
for emergency management is responsible for formulation of the 
appropriate inter-jurisdictional mutual aid plans and procedures 
necessary to implement this compact, and for recommendations 
to the jurisdiction concerned with respect to the amendment of 
any statutes, regulations, or ordinances required for that purpose. 
‘‘Article III—Party Jurisdiction Responsibilities 
‘‘(a) FORMULATE PLANS AND PROGRAMS.—It is the responsibility 
of each party jurisdiction to formulate procedural plans and pro-
grams for inter-jurisdictional cooperation in the performance of 
the responsibilities listed in this section. In formulating and imple-
menting such plans and programs the party jurisdictions, to the 
extent practical, shall— 
‘‘(1) review individual jurisdiction hazards analyses that 
are available and, to the extent reasonably possible, determine 
all those potential emergencies the party jurisdictions might 
jointly suffer, whether due to natural disaster, technological 
hazard, man-made disaster or emergency aspects of resource 
shortages; 
‘‘(2) initiate a process to review party jurisdictions’ indi-
vidual emergency plans and develop a plan that will determine 
the mechanism for the inter-jurisdictional cooperation; 
‘‘(3) develop inter-jurisdictional procedures to fill any identi-
fied gaps and to resolve any identified inconsistencies or over-
laps in existing or developed plans; 
‘‘(4) assist in warning communities adjacent to or crossing 
jurisdictional boundaries; 
‘‘(5) protect and ensure delivery of services, medicines, 
water, food, energy and fuel, search and rescue, and critical 
lifeline equipment, services and resources, both human and 
material to the extent authorized by law; 
‘‘(6) inventory and agree upon procedures for the inter- 
jurisdictional loan and delivery of human and material 
resources, together with procedures for reimbursement or 
forgiveness; and 
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121 STAT. 2469 
PUBLIC LAW 110–171—DEC. 26, 2007 
‘‘(7) provide, to the extent authorized by law, for temporary 
suspension of any statutes or ordinances, over which the prov-
ince or state has jurisdiction, that impede the implementation 
of the responsibilities described in this subsection. 
‘‘(b) REQUEST ASSISTANCE.—The authorized representative of 
a party jurisdiction may request assistance of another party jurisdic-
tion by contacting the authorized representative of that jurisdiction. 
These provisions only apply to requests for assistance made by 
and to authorized representatives. Requests may be verbal or in 
writing. If verbal, the request must be confirmed in writing within 
15 days of the verbal request. Requests must provide the following 
information: 
‘‘(1) A description of the emergency service function for 
which assistance is needed and of the mission or missions, 
including but not limited to fire services, emergency medical, 
transportation, communications, public works and engineering, 
building inspection, planning and information assistance, mass 
care, resource support, health and medical services, and search 
and rescue. 
‘‘(2) The amount and type of personnel, equipment, mate-
rials, and supplies needed and a reasonable estimate of the 
length of time they will be needed. 
‘‘(3) The specific place and time for staging of the assisting 
party’s response and a point of contact at the location. 
‘‘(c) CONSULTATION AMONG PARTY JURISDICTION OFFICIALS.— 
There shall be frequent consultation among the party jurisdiction 
officials who have assigned emergency management responsibilities, 
such officials collectively known hereinafter as the International 
Emergency Management Group, and other appropriate representa-
tives of the party jurisdictions with free exchange of information, 
plans, and resource records relating to emergency capabilities to 
the extent authorized by law. 
‘‘Article IV—Limitation 
‘‘Any party jurisdiction requested to render mutual aid or con-
duct exercises and training for mutual aid shall undertake to 
respond as soon as possible, except that it is understood that 
the jurisdiction rendering aid may withhold or recall resources 
to the extent necessary to provide reasonable protection for that 
jurisdiction. Each party jurisdiction shall afford to the personnel 
of the emergency forces of any party jurisdiction, while operating 
within its jurisdictional limits under the terms and conditions of 
this compact and under the operational control of an officer of 
the requesting party, the same powers, duties, rights, privileges, 
and immunities as are afforded similar or like forces of the jurisdic-
tion in which they are performing emergency services. Emergency 
forces continue under the command and control of their regular 
leaders, but the organizational units come under the operational 
control of the emergency services authorities of the jurisdiction 
receiving assistance. These conditions may be activated, as needed, 
by the jurisdiction that is to receive assistance or upon commence-
ment of exercises or training for mutual aid and continue as long 
as the exercises or training for mutual aid are in progress, the 
emergency or disaster remains in effect or loaned resources remain 
in the receiving jurisdiction or jurisdictions, whichever is longer. 
The receiving jurisdiction is responsible for informing the assisting 
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121 STAT. 2470 
PUBLIC LAW 110–171—DEC. 26, 2007 
jurisdictions of the specific moment when services will no longer 
be required. 
‘‘Article V—Licenses and Permits 
‘‘Whenever a person holds a license, certificate, or other permit 
issued by any jurisdiction party to the compact evidencing the 
meeting of qualifications for professional, mechanical, or other 
skills, and when such assistance is requested by the receiving 
party jurisdiction, such person is deemed to be licensed, certified, 
or permitted by the jurisdiction requesting assistance to render 
aid involving such skill to meet an emergency or disaster, subject 
to such limitations and conditions as the requesting jurisdiction 
prescribes by Executive order or otherwise. 
‘‘Article VI—Liability 
‘‘Any person or entity of a party jurisdiction rendering aid 
in another jurisdiction pursuant to this compact are considered 
agents of the requesting jurisdiction for tort liability and immunity 
purposes. Any person or entity rendering aid in another jurisdiction 
pursuant to this compact are not liable on account of any act 
or omission in good faith on the part of such forces while so 
engaged or on account of the maintenance or use of any equipment 
or supplies in connection therewith. Good faith in this article does 
not include willful misconduct, gross negligence, or recklessness. 
‘‘Article VII—Supplementary Agreements 
‘‘Because it is probable that the pattern and detail of the 
machinery for mutual aid among 2 or more jurisdictions may differ 
from that among the jurisdictions that are party to this compact, 
this compact contains elements of a broad base common to all 
jurisdictions, and nothing in this compact precludes any jurisdiction 
from entering into supplementary agreements with another jurisdic-
tion or affects any other agreements already in force among jurisdic-
tions. Supplementary agreements may include, but are not limited 
to, provisions for evacuation and reception of injured and other 
persons and the exchange of medical, fire, public utility, reconnais-
sance, welfare, transportation and communications personnel, 
equipment, and supplies. 
‘‘Article VIII—Workers’ Compensation and Death Benefits 
‘‘Each party jurisdiction shall provide, in accordance with its 
own laws, for the payment of workers’ compensation and death 
benefits to injured members of the emergency forces of that jurisdic-
tion and to representatives of deceased members of those forces 
if the members sustain injuries or are killed while rendering aid 
pursuant to this compact, in the same manner and on the same 
terms as if the injury or death were sustained within their own 
jurisdiction. 
‘‘Article IX—Reimbursement 
‘‘Any party jurisdiction rendering aid in another jurisdiction 
pursuant to this compact shall, if requested, be reimbursed by 
the party jurisdiction receiving such aid for any loss or damage 
to, or expense incurred in, the operation of any equipment and 
the provision of any service in answering a request for aid and 
for the costs incurred in connection with those requests. An aiding 
party jurisdiction may assume in whole or in part any such loss, 
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121 STAT. 2471 
PUBLIC LAW 110–171—DEC. 26, 2007 
damage, expense, or other cost or may loan such equipment or 
donate such services to the receiving party jurisdiction without 
charge or cost. Any 2 or more party jurisdictions may enter into 
supplementary agreements establishing a different allocation of 
costs among those jurisdictions. Expenses under article VIII are 
not reimbursable under this section. 
‘‘Article X—Evacuation 
‘‘Each party jurisdiction shall initiate a process to prepare 
and maintain plans to facilitate the movement of and reception 
of evacuees into its territory or across its territory, according to 
its capabilities and powers. The party jurisdiction from which the 
evacuees came shall assume the ultimate responsibility for the 
support of the evacuees, and after the termination of the emergency 
or disaster, for the repatriation of such evacuees. 
‘‘Article XI—Implementation 
‘‘(a) This compact is effective upon its execution or adoption 
by any 2 jurisdictions, and is effective as to any other jurisdiction 
upon its execution or adoption thereby: subject to approval or 
authorization by the United States Congress, if required, and sub-
ject to enactment of provincial or State legislation that may be 
required for the effectiveness of the Memorandum of Understanding. 
‘‘(b) Any party jurisdiction may withdraw from this compact, 
but the withdrawal does not take effect until 30 days after the 
governor or premier of the withdrawing jurisdiction has given notice 
in writing of such withdrawal to the governors or premiers of 
all other party jurisdictions. The action does not relieve the with-
drawing jurisdiction from obligations assumed under this compact 
prior to the effective date of withdrawal. 
‘‘(c) Duly authenticated copies of this compact in the French 
and English languages and of such supplementary agreements as 
may be entered into shall, at the time of their approval, be deposited 
with each of the party jurisdictions. 
‘‘Article XII—Severability 
‘‘This compact is construed to effectuate the purposes stated 
in Article I. If any provision of this compact is declared unconstitu-
tional or the applicability of the compact to any person or cir-
cumstances is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of this 
compact and the applicability of the compact to other persons and 
circumstances are not affected. 
‘‘Article XIII—Consistency of Language 
‘‘The validity of the arrangements and agreements consented 
to in this compact shall not be affected by any insubstantial dif-
ference in form or language as may be adopted by the various 
states and provinces. 
‘‘Article XIV—Amendment 
‘‘This compact may be amended by agreement of the party 
jurisdictions.’’. 
SEC. 2. INCONSISTENCY OF LANGUAGE. 
The validity of the arrangements consented to by this Act 
shall not be affected by any insubstantial difference in their form 
or language as adopted by the States and provinces. 
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121 STAT. 2472 
PUBLIC LAW 110–171—DEC. 26, 2007 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S.J. Res. 13: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 153 (2007): 
Oct. 2, considered and passed Senate. 
Dec. 17, considered and passed House. 
SEC. 3. RIGHT TO ALTER, AMEND, OR REPEAL. 
The right to alter, amend, or repeal this Act is hereby expressly 
reserved. 
Approved December 26, 2007. 
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