On October 20, 2009, the United States and Canada held the first meeting of the Consultative Group established under the U.S.-Canada Agreement on Emergency Management Cooperation. This agreement provides a framework for the U.S. and Canada to cooperate in planning for and responding to natural and man-made incidents, emergencies, and disasters. At the meeting, the Consultative Group established four working groups, including one on Federal-to-Federal assistance and information exchange.

As a deliverable, the working group proposed to develop this Compendium of U.S.-Canada Emergency Management Assistance Mechanisms summarizing national-level acts, agreements, frameworks, guidance, plans, and procedures for emergency response operations, communication and coordination, preparedness, and recovery.

The purpose of this Compendium is:

• To raise awareness of national-level acts, agreements, frameworks, guidance, plans, and procedures to facilitate communication, coordination, and the movement of Federal to Federal assistance resources, in coordination with diplomatic and customs and border officials, once a decision has been made to provide and receive emergency assistance;
• To help Consultative Group members and others better understand each country’s policies on providing and receiving emergency assistance.

Read the Compendium of U.S. - Canada Emergency Management Assistance Mechanisms (PDF, 37 pages - 272 KB)