Weaponizing mutual aid: Can a pandemic or biological attack turn our strongest emergency management tool against us?

Benjamin Thomas Greer, JD

doi:10.5055/jem.0644

Authors

Benjamin Thomas Greer, JD https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3194-9713

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5055/jem.0644

Keywords:

mutual aid agreements, Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), COVID-19

Abstract

A functional mutual aid system allows the effective cost sharing of resources and the swift mitigation of loss of life and property. COVID-19 has illuminated weaknesses in our mutual aid framework. Weaknesses could potentially allow abuse and the misuse of these unifying instruments. By designing our response system in an insightful and nuanced fashion, we are able to affectively lend aid to those in need. Our mutual aid systems allow us to be forward thinking—it challenges us to anticipate what could happen and how we should respond. This article will articulate challenges COVID-19 has posed in our mutual aid system and will propose potential improvements to better enhance our aid agreements for future pandemics.

Author Biography

Benjamin Thomas Greer, JD

Master’s Degree Program, Center for Homeland Defense and Security, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California

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