MABAS-IL is the sanctioned organization for coordinating mutual aid responses within the state, deriving its authorities from statute (5 ILCS 220/5) Intergovernmental Cooperation Act.

MABAS is an organization that provides the structure for a comprehensive and reliable method of acquiring resources when a local jurisdiction’s personnel, equipment and training are unable to effectively mitigate an incident. The Arlington Heights Fire Department has been a member of the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) since 1989 when (Ordinance 89 – 055) was adopted, with one other revision in 2014 (Ordinance 14 – 062) that addressed FEMA reimbursement requirements.

In 2019 MABAS-IL started a complete revision of the 1988 Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Master Agreement to address changes in emergency response, certifications, and liability tort immunity protection, which are especially critical when resources are sent outside of the state of Illinois or received from surrounding states. Other important changes include a single agreement that is to be used by all states and allowing membership by Federal, State and local governments, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The revisions also aligns the agreement with the National Incident Management System and Interstate Mutual Aid laws, and provides for third party recovery under spiller pays, technical rescue recovery and patient billing. Finally, the agreement streamlines the process for individual states to participate in the MABAS system through a network of divisions within a state chapter.

RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the Village Board approve a resolution  Authorizing the Execution of an Intergovernmental Agreement for Participation in the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System