The purpose of this compact is to provide for mutual assistance between the party jurisdictions entering into this compact in managing any emergency or disaster when the governor or premier of the affected jurisdiction or jurisdictions asks for assistance, whether arising from natural disaster, technological hazard, man-made disaster or civil emergency aspects of resource shortages.

This compact also provides for mutual cooperation in 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 between the party jurisdictions.

§936.__General implementation - Article II

Each party jurisdiction entering into this compact recognizes that many emergencies transcend political jurisdictional boundaries and that intergovernmental coordination is essential in managing these and other emergencies under this compact.__Each party jurisdiction further recognizes that there will be emergencies that require immediate access and present procedures to apply outside resources to make a prompt and effective response to such an emergency because few, if any, individual party jurisdictions have all the resources they need in all types of emergencies or the capability of delivering resources to areas where emergencies exist.

The prompt, full and effective utilization of resources of the participating party jurisdictions, including any resources on hand or available from any other source that are essential to the safety, care and welfare of the people in the event of any emergency or disaster declared by a party jurisdiction, must be the underlying principle on which all articles of this compact are understood.