This page offers answers to frequently asked questions about mutual aid assistance for local building department officials.
What building department functions can mutual aid help with after disasters?
-Mutual aid can be utilized to assist with post-disaster inspections, permitting and enforcement tasks. -
+What is mutual aid?
+Mutual aid is a straightforward concept where state and local governments step in to assist each other in + the wake of a catastrophic event. Typically, mutual aid provides personnel or resources to affected + communities in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The main goal is to accelerate community recovery + and reduce future risks. While mutual aid resources are often provided without charge, it's worth noting + that specific arrangements can vary depending on the agreements in place between jurisdictions.
+What is mutual aid for building departments?
+Natural disasters can often leave local building officials overwhelmed with the task of assessing + structural damage and ensuring public safety. Mutual aid for building departments is a straightforward + concept where skilled professionals from neighboring jurisdictions step in to assist communities with + inspections, hazard mitigation, and other building department functions in the wake of a catastrophic + event.
Who are these people coming to help?
-Mutual aid personnel can be classified in two categories: Public-Sector Personnel, also referred to as - state assets and can include local, state, and federal officials; and Private-Sector Personnel. The - ability to use mutual aid for private sector resources varies from state to state.
-The following public and private-sector resources are capable of assisting communities after disaster: +
Who responds to mutual aid for building departments?
+Typically, mutual aid can provide communities with additional building inspectors, plan reviewers, or + code enforcement officers in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. These are often civil servants from + neighboring communities and states. In some cases, mutual aid responders can also include private + engineers, architects and other skilled professionals.
+What assistance can mutual aid provide to a building department?
+Mutual aid can provide additional building inspectors, plan reviewers, and code enforcement officers to a + building department in need. These professionals can help conduct rapid damage assessments, determine + building safety, and process emergency permits following a disaster. They can also assist with routine + inspections and plan reviews during periods of high workload or staff shortages. This support helps the + local building department maintain service levels, ensure public safety, and expedite recovery efforts.
--
-
- Building Code Officials -
- Building Safety & Code Inspectors -
- Floodplain Administrators -
- State NFIP Coordinators -
- Engineers & Architects -
- Technicians & Specialists -
What is DRRA 1206 and how can it help me?
-The Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018, Section 1206 (DRRA-1206) authorizes FEMA Public Assistance - grant funding to support recovery staffing needs of local building code and floodplain management - departments up to 180 days following the date of the major disaster declaration. DRRA-1206 can help - reimburse communities that seek out trained and certified mutual aid responder teams that meet specific - criteria.
-For answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about DRRA-1206, refer to FEMA's - - FAQ Volume 1 - and - - Volume 2 - . +
Does mutual aid for building departments work the same in every state?
+The details of implementation, resource sharing, and reimbursement can differ significantly from one + state to another. Some states have formalized statewide mutual aid systems, while others rely more on + local or regional agreements. It's important for building officials to understand their state's specific + mutual aid framework and any interstate compacts that may apply. The state search tool on our main page can help you begin to explore your state's mutual + aid system.
+Are there protections against liability?
+Many states have enacted legislation that offers some degree of liability protection for mutual aid + providers lending assistance under official mutual aid agreements. This protection can vary depending on + state laws and specific mutual aid agreements. The contacts provided by our search tool can help you + understand the liability protections in place for your individual situation.
+Will mutual aid cost my community?
+Reimbursement between communities in the same state can vary by state, as each state, district, and + territory has its own specific regulations and procedures. Typically, the requesting community (the one + that received aid) is responsible for reimbursing the assisting community for eligible costs. This usually + follows a "neighbor helping neighbor" principle, where the community benefiting from the assistance bears + the financial responsibility. Some states have established funds or mechanisms to help cover these costs, + especially in cases of larger emergencies or disasters. In such instances, the state might step in to + reimburse the assisting communities directly or provide funds to the requesting community for this + purpose.
+Under the Emergency Mutual Aid Compact (EMAC), which facilitates interstate assistance, the requesting + state is responsible for reimbursing the assisting state, but this is often eligible for federal disaster + reimbursement. However, it's important to note that while the immediate deployment may not have an upfront + cost, your community may need to budget for potential reimbursements or cost-sharing depending on the + specific agreement and disaster declaration status. For example, the standard cost-share for FEMA Public + Assistance is typically 75% federal and 25% non-federal, though this can sometimes be adjusted for + catastrophic events. The requesting state would be responsible for the non-federal share, which they may + pass on to the local jurisdiction that received the aid.
+Is an emergency declaration required to utilize mutual aid for building departments?
+Mutual aid for building departments can often be activated without a formal disaster declaration. Many + communities have agreements in place that allow for cooperation and resource sharing for smaller-scale + incidents that do not meet the threshold for a disaster declaration. However, it is important to note that + the specific rules and procedures can vary depending on your local and state regulations. Some areas may + have specific requirements for activating mutual aid, while others maintain flexible systems for sharing + resources.
+In cases of larger disasters, a formal declaration can unlock additional resources and funding streams, + potentially making it easier to cover the costs of mutual aid. For interstate assistance through the + Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), a governor's declaration is required. EMAC is a national + interstate mutual aid agreement that enables states to share resources during large-scale disasters. Under + EMAC, the governor of the affected state must declare a state of emergency and request assistance before + other states can send aid. This process ensures a coordinated response and helps establish eligibility for + federal reimbursement.
+What costs are eligible for reimbursement?
+When it comes to reimbursement under IMAC (Intrastate Mutual Aid Compact) and EMAC (Emergency Management + Assistance Compact), eligible costs can vary depending on the specific state agreements and the nature of + the emergency. Generally, reimbursable expenses often include personnel costs (such as salaries, overtime, + and benefits), travel expenses, equipment usage, and supplies directly related to the mutual aid response. + Some agreements may also cover costs for lodging, meals, and incidental expenses for deployed personnel.
+To ensure proper reimbursement, it's essential for both requesting and assisting entities to carefully document all expenses and follow the specific guidelines outlined + in their state's mutual aid agreements.