Nevada Intrastate Mutual Aid System
Mutual aid
agreements are strongly encouraged by the federal government under the National
Incident Management System (NIMS). The National Mutual Aid and Resource
Management Initiative established under NIMS provides a comprehensive,
integrated national mutual aid and resource management system. All mutual aid
agreements must incorporate NIMS and the Incident Management System (ICS). The
responsibility of preparedness is tasked to the federal, state, local, and
tribal agencies, also to include private, nongovernmental organizations and
citizens. The Nevada Intrastate Mutual Aid System (IMAS) is in accordance with
the Presidential Policy Directive 8 to achieve all-hazards national
preparedness.
Chapter
414 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) authorizes the State and its political
subdivisions to provide emergency aid and assistance in the event of an
emergency or disaster. Chapter 414 authorizes the Nevada Department of Public
Safety, Division of Emergency Management (DEM) to coordinate the provision of
equipment, services or facilities owned or organized by the State or its
political subdivisions for use in the affected areas upon request of the duly
constituted authority of the areas.
The
IMAS was established by the 78th Session of the Nevada Legislature. Chapter
414A became effective July 1, 2015 and authorizes the Nevada Department of
Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management to administer the System
pursuant to the provisions of the chapter and shall coordinate the provision of
mutual aid during the response to and recovery from an emergency or disaster
(NRS 414A.100(2) (a)).