UMD, University of Maryland, Baltimore First in State to Join National Emergency Management Network

The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) and University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) have become the first two universities in the state to sign on to the National Intercollegiate Mutual Aid Agreement (NIMAA), an initiative between higher education institutions to facilitate mutual aid and support during an emergency.

“This partnership allows our universities to not only receive support, but to also help other institutions in their time of need,” said Jonathan Bratt, assistant vice president for the UMB Office of Enterprise Resilience. “It aligns with UMB’s mission to serve the public good in Maryland and beyond.”

The emergency management teams at UMD and UMB work closely together, including on training and exercises year-round. Joining NIMAA is another way the teams collaborated to advance their institutions’ readiness.

“In times of crisis—whether natural disasters, cybersecurity threats or other emergencies—our institutions can now request and receive critical support,” said Erin Meyer, director of UMD’s Office of Emergency Management and Business Continuity. “This network means that we’re not alone.”

Institutions can request resources including personnel, equipment and supplies during an emergency. The partnership also provides valuable opportunities for UMD and UMB emergency management staff to gain diverse experience and develop skills in real-world crises.

“We have a robust network of emergency managers within Maryland,” says Christopher Stanton, executive director of the UMB Office of Emergency Management. “This allows us to expand our reach and enhance our team’s professional development, internal capabilities and preparedness.”

Having two University System of Maryland institutions sign NIMAA concurrently paves the way for other Maryland universities to also join the network.