Mutual aid and mutual assistance agreements are formal arrangements that allow municipalities to share resources in the case of emergency.  With these arrangements in place, municipalities have access to more resources when necessary, without having to maintain excess capacity on a daily basis.  For example, mutual aid agreements for fire service allow municipalities to call on neighboring departments in case of a large fire or multiple incidents at once.  

Mutual aid agreements for fire and police are common in Metro Boston but not comprehensive, and the model could also be applied to other public services that deal with emergencies, such as public health and public works.  For example, disease outbreaks and flooding incidents may overwhelm the public health or public works resources of a city or town, even if the event does not constitute a declared emergency.  

Mutual aid agreements for public health face a variety of challenges, including liability, authority, compensation, and reimbursement.  These issues should be addressed and clarified by legislation.  

In the area of public works, a municipal mutual assistance program for would facilitate sharing of public works resources across jurisdictional lines in the case of incidents that requires assistance from one or more additional municipalities.  Recently, legislation was filed that would establish development of such a program through a comprehensive statewide agreement (rather than individual municipal or regional arrangements) entered into by participating governmental units.

9.a    The Legislature should adopt enabling legislation clarifying the establishment of mutual aid for public health

9.b    MAPC should evaluate the need for a statewide municipal mutual assistance program and make a recommendation to the Legislature

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