MOUs what should they include?

When we consider MOU's they can be everything from time and personnel to equipment like a bulldozer. Keep in mind the process of mutual aid and what effect such a plan would have on your community if it were to come under a terrorist attack!
Mutual aid agreements are necessary because the more knowledge one has the more it can assist in doing your job efficiently. If you have law enforcement sharing info this can up the chances of solving a crime, ending a possible crime, and allow the police officers to be able to do their job and do it well. You can never have too much information or manpower to work in this type of field. Our protection is the most important factor, no matter what. You usually get more out of working as a team then working alone.

The factors that need to be taken into consideration when making mutual aid agreements operational are as follows:

1. All law enforcement should be clearly identified

2. The agreement should state the circumstances for what assistance can be granted

3. It should specify the acceptable methods for which requests for assistance may be transmitted between agencies

4. It should specify the forms of assistance that are to be rendered

5. It should specify the extent & duration of any assistance rendered between jurisdictions

6. It should detail under what circumstance assistance can be withdrawn

7. Command and control issues must be addressed

8. Financial responsibility for the provision of services must be clearly defined

9. Claims for reimbursement must be established, addressing the costs of personnel, equipment, supplies & the record keeping process

10. It should include conditions and procedures for the withdrawal of a participating agency from the agreement itself

11. It should identify whether the agreement will be binding on subsequent agency chief executives

12. It should deal with an agency's inability to respond to a request as not forming the basis of a breach of contract

13. It should not contain provisions for summoning state or federal aid

14. It should define the responsibilities of chief executive officers

15. It should provide the inclusion of other public & private entities in prevention, preparation & response to regional emergencies