Sec. 4. (a) In order to more adequately address emergencies that extend or exceed a jurisdiction‘s emergency response capabilities, either without rising to the level of a state or local declaration of a state of disaster or emergency, or in the initial stages of an event that may later become a declared state of disaster or emergency, the state (and any of its departments or agencies) or any political subdivision may enter into written mutual aid agreements with units of government from another state that provide for:

(1) coordination of communications for;

(2) training for;

(3) response to; and

(4) standby for;

planned events and emergency responses between the units of government.

     (b) When an emergency responder from outside Indiana is engaged in training, standby, and emergency response in accordance with a mutual aid agreement under this chapter, the emergency responder from outside Indiana is permitted to provide services within Indiana in accordance with this chapter and the terms of the mutual aid agreement under this chapter.

     (c) This chapter may not be construed to prohibit a private entity or its employees from participating in the provision of mutual aid if:

(1) the participating political subdivision approves the participation of the private entity; and

(2) a contract between the political subdivision and the participating private entity permits the participation.

As added by P.L.94-2011, SEC.1.