§ 102 — Purpose; authority; definitions — Article I

(a) The purpose of this Compact is to provide mutual aid and assistance among the party states for response to and management of any disaster or emergency declared by the Governor of any affected party state.
(b) This Compact also provides mutual cooperation among the party states in emergency-related training, exercises, testing, or any other activity related to preparation for an actual declared disaster or emergency. Mutual assistance under this Compact may include the use of the National Guard force of any party state, either in accordance with the National Guard Mutual Assistance Compact or by agreement between states.
(c) For the purposes of this agreement:
(1) “Disaster or emergency” means any occurrence that threatens the health, safety and well-being of the people of any state or region, whether due to natural or man-made disaster, technological hazard, effects of resource shortage, civil disorder, insurgency, or enemy attack.
(2) “Party state” means a state or jurisdiction that is an authorized participant in the Compact.
(3) “States” means the several states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territorial possessions. (Added 1999, No. 138 (Adj. Sess.), § 1.)