AS 26.23.40 authorized the creation of a mutual aid system for disaster response. The Alaska Intrastate Mutual Aid System (AIMAS) was developed to implement this legislation. The legislation specified that the mutual aid system can be activated for:

• Response, mitigation, or recovery activities related to a locally declared disaster emergency
• Response to a disaster emergency declared by the Governor
• Training related to disaster preparedness and response
• Other drills or exercises conducted in preparation for a disaster.

AIMAS Point of Contact

Federal legislation requires each state to have a State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and outlines it's duties. In 1986, Congress passed the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) with deals emergency response planning, and community right-to-know regarding hazardous materials (HAZMAT). SARA is also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). It was enacted to prevent hazardous materials tragedies, such as the chemical plant accident in Bhopol (India) and the nuclear power plant accident in Chernobyl (USSR), from occurring in the United States. SARA establishes requirements for federal, state and local governments, Indian tribes, and industry regarding emergency planning and "Community Right-to-Know" (CRTK) regarding hazardous materials.

To comply with this Federal legislation, the Alaska Legislature passed Alaska Statutes 26.23.071 and 26.23.073. These statutes establish a SERC, Local Emergency Planning Districts (LEPD), and Local Emergency Planning Committee's (LEPC).

AIMAS is administered by the AIMAS Committee. The AIMAS committee includes three subcommittees; Policies and Procedures, Credentialing, and Resources. The AIMAS committee currently consists of Casey Cook, Mark Roberts, and Jeff McKenzie.

This manual is an overview of how to use AIMAS. It includes the regulations governing when the system can be activated and by whom, as well as required documentation and deadlines. The manual details cost tracking and payment procedures, mobilization and demobilization procedures, and liability.

• Policy and Procedures Manual
• Req-A Section 1
• Req-A Section 2
• Reimbursement
• Post Mission Review

Policies and Procedures Point of Contact

The purpose of the State of Alaska All-Hazards Qualification System (AK-AQS) is to support the effective deployment of disaster emergency responders within the state by establishing standards for the training, experience, and physical fitness for a Type 3 Incident response. Alaska’s credentialing program provides for documentation of emergency responder qualifications with the use of position-specific Position Task Books based upon the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Qualification System. Established qualifications allow jurisdictions and agencies to plan for, request, and have confidence in resources deployed to assist them during emergencies from across jurisdictional boundaries. Credentialing allows resources to match requests for effective incident management.

1. Alaska All-Hazards Qualification System
   • Alaska All-Hazards Qualification Guide - January 2025 (PDF)
   • AK-AQS Position Task Book Reference (PDF)
   • AK-AQS List of Credentialed Personnel (To Be Uploaded)
2. FEMA National Qualification System
   • FEMA NQS Documents
   • EOC References (PDF)
   • Resource Typing Library Tool - Position Task Books & Skillsets
3. OneResponder Information:
   
   • PrepToolKit - OneResponder
   • OneResponder Help

For assistance with OneResponder registration or more information on AK-AQS or emergency management training please reach out to:

DHS&EM is working with state and local agencies to develop a comprehensive list of resources in Alaska that could be requested and deployed to assist with an incident. Until this list is established, contact DHS&EM operations section at 907-428-7100 with resource requests.

As AIMAS is developed and put into use, we welcome feedback from communities on how to improve the process. This can include feedback on the guides, documentation, or process in general. Feedback can be provided to Mark Roberts at mark.roberts@alaska.gov and will be forwarded to the AIMAS Committee as appropriate.

• State of Alaska Homepage
• Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
• Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
• Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation - Division of Spill Prevention and Response (SPAR)
• Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Alaska Community Database - Community information and summaries from the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.
• EPA Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO) - Extensive information on EPCRA, risk management, emergency plans, SERC, and LEPCs.
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• FEMA Region 10 - Region 10 supports Alaska.
• Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act - Provides the means of assistance by the federal government to state and local governments to alleviate the suffering and damage which result from disasters. This is a large Adobe document broken into two sections to ease downloading.
• NASTTPO - National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials NASTTPO.
• Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council - Citizens promoting environmentally safe marine transportation and oil facility operations in Cook Inlet.
• Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council - Citizens promoting environmentally safe operation of the Alyeska terminal and associated tankers.
• Emergency Management Assistance Compact - Pathway for mutual aid between states, territories, and the District of Columbia.