Theodore R. McKeldin, Governor                     313

with any one or more of the States of Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsyl-
vania, Virginia and West Virginia, and the legislature hereby signi-
fies in advance its approval and ratification of such compact:

Article I

The purpose of this compact is to promote effective prevention and
control of forest fires in the Middle Atlantic region of the United
States by the development of integrated forest fire plans, by the
maintenance of adequate forest fire fighting services by the member
states, and by providing for mutual aid in fighting forest fires among
the compacting states of the region and with states which are party
to other Regional Forest Fire Protection compacts or agreements.

Article II

This compact shall become operative immediately as to those states
ratifying it whenever any two or more of the States of Dela/tvare,
Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia
which are contiguous have ratified it and Congress has given consent
thereto.

Article III

In each state, the state forester or officer holding the equivalent
position who is responsible for forest fire control shall act as com-
pact administrator for that state and shall consult with like officials
of the other member states and shall implement cooperation between
such states in forest fire prevention and control.

The compact administrators of the member state shall organize to
coordinate the services of the member states and provide adminis-
trative integration in carrying out the purposes of this compact.

The compact administrators shall formulate and, in accordance
with need, from time to time, revise a regional forest fire plan for
the member states.

It shall be the duty of each member state to formulate and put in
effect a forest fire plan for that state and take such measures as may
be necessary to integrate such forest fire plan with the regional
forest fire plan formulated by the compact administrators.

Article IV

Whenever the state forest fire control agency of a member state
requests aid from the state forest fire control agency of any other
member state in combating, controlling or preventing forest fires,
it shall be the duty of the state forest fire control agency of that state
to render all possible aid to the requesting agency which is consonant
with the maintenance of protection at home.

Article V

Whenever the forces of any member state are rendering outside
aid pursuant to the request of another member state under this com-
pact, the employees of such state shall, under the direction of the
officers of the state to which they are rendering aid, have the same
powers (except the power of arrest), duties, rights, privileges and
immunities as comparable employees of the state to which they are
rendering aid.