Lack of Interstate Mutual Aid Legislation hampers emergency and disaster response

Monday, 19 March 2012 08:16

Lack of Interstate Mutual Aid Legislation hampers emergency and disaster
response

Alexandria, KY - March 16, 2012  -  Emergency Management officials and
local emergency response organizations across the state are anxiously
awaiting the passage of the Interstate Mutual Aid Assistance Agreement
Bill (SB-55) which is currently working its way through the Kentucky
General Assembly. The May 2, 2012 tornados have again demonstrated the
urgent need for this legislation which will allow for emergency
responders to cross state lines to assist with emergency and disaster
operations.

William R. Turner, Director of the Campbell County Office of Emergency
Management notes that often border counties can receive assistance
quicker from jurisdictions in adjoining states that from jurisdictions
within the state of Kentucky. "Following the tornados of March 2nd,
Incident Management Teams in Hamilton and Butler Counties in Ohio
offered assistance to the Northern Kentucky counties impacted by the
tornado outbreak. However the issue of not having mutual aid agreements
in place and certain protections in state law once again hamper that
assistance."

Turner explained that while states have spent millions of Homeland
Security dollars on equipment and training, issues remain on sharing
those resources across state borders. "Counties and cities in southwest
Ohio have a number of assets that are not available in Northern Kentucky
which we cannot readily access because of issues not addressed in
Kentucky Revises Statues. Likewise Kentucky is severely limited in
providing manpower and equipment from Kentucky to Ohio and Indiana."  

The Interstate Mutual Aid Assistance Agreement Bill (SB-55) will allow
for emergency response organizations and agencies to facilitate the
sharing of resources, personnel and equipment across state lines during
times of disaster and emergencies. Senate Bill 55 will address issues
related to licensure and certification of responders, workman's
compensation, liability and workers benefits for both those coming into
the state and those going to assist out of state.  

The state of Indiana passed Interstate Mutual Aid Assistance legislation
in 2011 and the state of Ohio has passed similar legislation earlier
this year. However since Kentucky has not passed a similar bill, issues
remain with receiving or providing assistance when Kentucky is involved.
Senate Bill 55 passed the senate on January 23rd by a 32-0 vote. SB-55
was sponsored by Senator Jack Westwood of Erlanger, Kentucky. SB-55
currently is in the House Judiciary Committee awaiting a committee
hearing.