The concept of mutual support is well established and is considered a “standard of care” in most emergency disciplines. The purpose of this mutual assistance agreement is to help hospitals manage their emergencies by authorizing the Hospital Mutual Aid System (HMAS). H-MAS deals with the loan of medical personnel, medicines, supplies and equipment or assistance with the evacuation of hospitals, including the reception of transferred patients. This document deals with the relationship between and between hospitals and is intended to complement, not replace, each institution`s disaster plan. The MoU also provides a framework for hospitals to coordinate as a single H-MAS community in actions with (name of local agency) management, (name of local service) public health and emergency medical services during planning and response. . . .
