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Senator Moore’s emergency law plays key role in aid to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts |
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BOSTON, September 7, 2005 - In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, thousands of Massachusetts residents poured their savings into charities and selflessly volunteered their time and skills. Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) was a primary sponsor of a law that allows the state to easily coordinate hurricane relief efforts through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC). “I hope Hurricane Katrina reminds people that quick response and coordination is essential in saving lives,” Senator Moore said. “This kind of natural disaster can happen in any state and I am pleased that Massachusetts has joined efforts with EMAC.” Chapter 339 of the Acts of 2000, the law drafted by Senator Moore, authorized Massachusetts to join the EMAC, a congressionally ratified organization that provides form and structure to interstate mutual aid. Through EMAC, a state impacted by a disaster can request and receive assistance from other member states quickly and efficiently, resolving two key issues upfront: liability and reimbursement. EMAC is neither a federal agency nor part of the federal government. It is an agreement among 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, to provide assistance across state lines when any type of disaster occurs. The governor of the affected area must first declare a state of emergency, and then that state must request the help it needs. It is this request that triggers the response from other EMAC-member states and sets the EMAC Operations system of coordination and deployment in motion. The Compact is now coordinating the largest deployment of personnel and resources in the compact’s history as a result of Hurricane Katrina. |
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