MABAS(Mutual Aid Box Alarm System)

1968 Local Mutual Aid

History

2001 Statewide Mutual Aid

Speed of Response (Rapid response to ‘normal emergencies)

v.s.

Sustained Response(Support of on-going operations such as large

scale disasters)

Daily Use(Approximately 750 activations per year)

How often is MABAS Activated?

Statewide Activation(Governor Activated)

One or two times per year is typical

Low Tech v.s. High Tech

MABAS is a ‘Low Tech’ in operations

But ‘High Tech’ in specialty teams and deployment capability

What Makes MABAS Work?Partnerships

• State• Terrorism Task Force• State Emergency

Management Agency• Public Health

• Local• Other Fire Agencies

• Local Emergency Management Agency

• ILEAS

• Health Care Providers / Hospitals

• EMAC• Emergency Managers

Governance

• Control & Compliance is achieved at the Division Level

• The Executive Board provides coordination, facilitation and standardization

Key Rules and Standards

• MABAS Frequency and Fireground Frequencies in all applicable radios

• NFPA Compliant vehicles

• Use of Incident Command system on all incidents

• Responding units must comply with staffing minimums established by MABAS

• Primary and Secondary Dispatch Centers in each division

• Each Department constructs “box cards” as they determine

• Task Force Planning

• Freelancing / self-dispatching … NOT ALLOWED

• 80% / 20% rule

• Response not mandatory

“THE CONTRACT”

• Executed by each member agency

• No changes allowed

• Indemnification

• 10 pages … and they are double spaced!

No Charge to Requesting Fire Department for MABAS response

(members)

• Statewide Response• Governors Declaration

(Non-MABAS agencies)

• State to StateEMAC

Reimbursement Can Be Obtained for:

Creating a Mutual Aid System (MABAS Style)

• Partnerships

• Do not be discriminatory

• Realize it is not about “me” it’s about the citizen and what is best

• Contract can help

• Commitment

• Will special legislative efforts be needed?