Public Health Emergency Mutual Aid System (PHEMAS)
Number
009
Status
Existing
Description
Mutual Aid system for public health centers to exchange information and resources in times of emergency. A mutual aid and assistance pact that provides for the sharing of resources in the event of an act of bioterrorism or other emergency. The agreement, which is believed to one of the first of its kind in the nation, outlines aid and assistance that will be rendered to a stricken area by local health departments who have signed on to the Illinois Public Health Mutual Aid System (IPHMAS) in terms of personnel, equipment, supplies and services. The services and help will be provided at no cost to the area dealing with the emergency and each local health department will be responsible for maintaining their own liability insurance. Example http://www.idph.state.il.us/local/mutualaidagree_9.30.04.pdf