Mobilization Guide - According to FEMA, “A reference document used by organizations outlining agreements, processes and procedures used by all participating agencies/organizations for activating, assembling and transporting resources.”
Modular Organization - A top-down Incident Command System (ICS) organizational structure based on the size and complexity of the incident, as well as the specifics of the hazard environment created by the incident.
Multi-Agency Coordination System (MACS) - According to FEMA, “A system that assists disaster response agencies by providing the architecture to support coordination for incident prioritization, critical resource allocation, communications systems integration and information coordination. The elements of a MACS include facilities, equipment, personnel, procedures and communications. Two of the most commonly used elements are Emergency Operations Centers and Multiagency Coordination Groups.”
Multi-Agency Resource Center (MARC) - A designated location, such as a school gymnasium or community center, where emergency relief agencies gather to help those impacted by disaster. They provide a “one stop shop” for disaster victims to receive resources and assistance. MARCs are typically facilitated by the American Red Cross.
Multiagency Coordination (MAC) Group - According to FEMA, “A group of administrators or executives, or their appointed representatives, who can provide coordinated decisionmaking and resource allocation among cooperating agencies in large-scale disasters or incidents. They may establish the priorities among incidents and provide strategic guidance to support incident management activities. MAC groups are also known as multiagency committees, emergency management committees, or as otherwise defined by the multiagency coordination system.”
Multijurisdictional Incident - An incident requiring action from multiple agencies that each have jurisdiction to manage certain aspects of an incident. In the Incident Command System, these incidents are managed under Unified Command.
Mutual Aid Agreement - Written or oral agreement between and among agencies/organizations and/or jurisdictions that facilitates rapid, short-term deployment of emergency assistance in the form of personnel, equipment, materials and other associated services.
National Essential Functions - According to FEMA, “A subset of government functions that are necessary to lead and sustain the Nation during a catastrophic emergency and that, therefore, must be supported through continuity of operations and continuity of government capabilities.”
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) - Managed by FEMA, the NFIP provides low-cost flood insurance to residents in participating communities. The program also improves floodplain management and develops maps of flood hazard zones. NFIP is administered by FEMA but is sold to homeowners by state-licensed insurance companies’ agents and brokers.
National Incident Management System (NIMS) - A set of principles that provides a systematic, proactive approach guiding government agencies at all levels, nongovernmental organizations and the private sector to work seamlessly to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate the effects of all incidents in order to reduce the loss of life or property and harm to the environment. NIMS is not an incident management or resource allocation plan, but a set of standardized procedures that allow all responders to coordinate response actions and focus on incident management