How often should mutual aid agreements be reviewed?

Mutual aid agreements are essential for ensuring effective collaboration and resource sharing among different emergency response organizations. Reviewing these agreements annually is crucial because it allows agencies to assess and update the terms of cooperation in response to evolving needs, operational changes, or shifts in community risk profiles.

Annual reviews help to ensure that all parties remain aware of their responsibilities, the resources available for mutual aid, and any changes in personnel or equipment that may have occurred since the last review. Furthermore, this regular check-in fosters clear communication and strengthens partnerships, which is vital for effective emergency response, especially in dynamic environments like airports.

While options suggesting less frequent reviews may seem reasonable, they could risk overlooking critical updates or adaptations that may arise more frequently than every five years or when new regulations are issued. On the other hand, the concept of reviewing mutual aid agreements every six months could be excessive for most jurisdictions, potentially leading to unnecessary administrative burden without sufficient benefit. Therefore, annual reviews strike a balanced approach, ensuring agreements remain relevant and effective while avoiding administrative overload.